brain coral question ??

[weemanpow3]

I gonna go to a fish store in a little bit and I want to buy brain coral.
Is their anything I should know like taking care of it or anything else.

 

[melosu58]

Yes they do better on the substrate. They are very hardy and I think quite nice looking. Here are mine

The purple ones are a little hard to find but green and red ones are plentiful

ALso some info

http://www.fantasyreef.com/database/index.php?p=getitem&db_id=5&item_id=27

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=437

 

[weemanpow3]

thanks Ill pick one up today

 

[jester]

I put iodine in my tank for shrimp can that bother the Brain?

 

[melosu58]

I dont think so but PWC`s will replenish any iodine needs you have. I have shrimp,hermits, crab and Lobster and it takes care of my needs. If you are dosing I would under dose and test for.

 

[daebjosd]

Anything, except Trachyphyllia, was easy to me: Scolymia, Cynarina, even Symphyllia and Lobophyllia. Is there any secret to keep Trachyphyllia alive, other than MH and feeding?

 

[melosu58]

I dont believe MH`s are needed fot them and I dont feed mine.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=429

 

[daebjosd]

I dont believe MH`s are needed fot them and I dont feed mine.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=429

What do you do then, for a successful keeping?

I also don't have MH, PC only, didn't feed for a some time, then tried to feed (and another trachyphyllia in opposite order), they are not eating. Water parameters (measurable ones) are good, carbon is weekly changed.
What else could I try?
Again, all other LPS corals are fine in the same tank.

 

[melosu58]

Liveaquaria says "It does not require additional food to maintain its health in the reef aquarium, but it will feed on micro-plankton or foods designed for filter feeding invertebrates."

I do feed my coral DT`s phytoplankton. I do no additional feedings though I have heard of others feeding . You will need something to cover the brain if you do as the fish will get it before he does. Some people use something like a clear two litre coke plastic bottle to cover the brain till he eats. Just cut the bottom out. But as I said I have not fed anything but plankton in the five years I`ve had my green brain.

 

[daebjosd]

Thanks!
Wetwebmedia and the general web search give information, quite different from liveaquaria. More like zooplankton around 1/2" pieces and finely chopped meaty pieces of seafood. Examples are http://www.wetwebmedia.com/trachyreproart.htm and http://www.wetwebmedia.com/trachyphlliidae.htm

weemanpow3, best of luck with your trachyphyllia!

 

[melosu58]

I can only speak from 9 yrs of experience. I dont feed anything except my sun polyps as far as my corals go. DT`s only. No target feedings . Been that way for nine yrs now. None of my corals have suffered.

 

[daebjosd]

Sorry, you should be right then, I'll try this way.

 

[melosu58]

This is what I do but there are people that do feed there corals. There is nothing wrong with that as long as you dont over do it. I choose to feed phytoplankton.