question about water changing and corals

[brad3314]

i have always been told no coral should be out of water for any period of time what i don't understand is i have seen many tanks with corals right at the very top of the tank how is it possible to do a water change if you cannot let the water level go below the corals ?

it would be handy to know the answer because i would place things further up in my tank only i was told i couldn't expose the corals



TIA

 

[lando]

When I do water changes, some of my high corals are exposed for a time. Sponges and gorgonias should never be exposed to air, but most softies and LPS are fine if the exposure is brief.

 

[melosu58]

I agree that most corals will be OK. Just make sure the ones Brian mentioned are not or they will die.

 

[brad3314]

thanks for clearing that up

and when you say brief amount of time how long are you talking ?

 

[tecwzrd]

20 minutes or less, plenty of time for a pwc. They go even longer with tidal flows on reefs in the wild.

 

[ellisz]

Corals are tougher than most think. Go to a frag workshop and you will be amazed.