andysgirl8800
Blenny Badlands
Hi everyone. Sorry for the long post, but I hope y'all can help me with some basic coral information. I've been reading, and reading, and reading some more (BTW, my local library SUCKS for marine aquarium books), and I seem to be getting some conflicting information.
I am reading about proper coral acclimation and have read about the drip acclimation method as well as the iodine dipping process, and also see that some of you don't do either for your new corals. My LFS advised me to only do a temperature acclimatino, then place directly into the tank, while LiveAquaria.com reccommends the drip acclimation process for ALL livestock. Does it all boil down to a matter of preference? Do some corals benefit more than others from a specific acclimation process?
Which brings me to light acclimation. Should all corals be acclimated to my own tank lights? Is there a different process for corals that are purchased from my LFS vs. mail order vs. another aquarist's tank? If you are gradually moving the coral up to where you eventually want it to sit, do you also adjust the watter current/flow each time? If a coral's intended location is at the bottom of the tank, should it sit in the "shade" first?
I've also been reading quite a bit about splitting and fragging corals. I understand it is a good way to propogate new growth and possibly help control coral overgrowth. Are there any articles, sites, or books that address fragging specifically? Will any coral be damaged or become unhealthy for NOT fragging/splitting it?
Speaking of frags, what is the best way to place new coral pieces into my tank? I've read that some of you prefer loose corals, not mounted on any rock or plug. One method seems to suggest that new corals be placed/wedged in existing holes or crevices, while some of you use super glue gel or specially formulated coral glue to attach to plugs or rock rubble. Some of you knock the plug methods, while some of you swear by it. Other corals are secured with netting until they take hold on their own. Is this another case of preference, or based on coral requirements? Is there a benefit to a seperate coral staging tank? How do those work? Likewise, how do you secure corals in the substrate?
Can too many corals be added at the same time? Is there a similar 5 week waiting period between coral additions as there is for fish additions? Finally, could you share any of the tips you've acquired or lessons learned while arranging any of your own coral in your tanks? Though I accept that I will have my own coral trials and tribulations, I'd like to avoid some of the common and more damaging mistakes. Sorry for all the questions, but this has been the most informative and helpful forum I've found out there! Y'all are great and very supportive to all of us newbies out there!
I am reading about proper coral acclimation and have read about the drip acclimation method as well as the iodine dipping process, and also see that some of you don't do either for your new corals. My LFS advised me to only do a temperature acclimatino, then place directly into the tank, while LiveAquaria.com reccommends the drip acclimation process for ALL livestock. Does it all boil down to a matter of preference? Do some corals benefit more than others from a specific acclimation process?
Which brings me to light acclimation. Should all corals be acclimated to my own tank lights? Is there a different process for corals that are purchased from my LFS vs. mail order vs. another aquarist's tank? If you are gradually moving the coral up to where you eventually want it to sit, do you also adjust the watter current/flow each time? If a coral's intended location is at the bottom of the tank, should it sit in the "shade" first?
I've also been reading quite a bit about splitting and fragging corals. I understand it is a good way to propogate new growth and possibly help control coral overgrowth. Are there any articles, sites, or books that address fragging specifically? Will any coral be damaged or become unhealthy for NOT fragging/splitting it?
Speaking of frags, what is the best way to place new coral pieces into my tank? I've read that some of you prefer loose corals, not mounted on any rock or plug. One method seems to suggest that new corals be placed/wedged in existing holes or crevices, while some of you use super glue gel or specially formulated coral glue to attach to plugs or rock rubble. Some of you knock the plug methods, while some of you swear by it. Other corals are secured with netting until they take hold on their own. Is this another case of preference, or based on coral requirements? Is there a benefit to a seperate coral staging tank? How do those work? Likewise, how do you secure corals in the substrate?
Can too many corals be added at the same time? Is there a similar 5 week waiting period between coral additions as there is for fish additions? Finally, could you share any of the tips you've acquired or lessons learned while arranging any of your own coral in your tanks? Though I accept that I will have my own coral trials and tribulations, I'd like to avoid some of the common and more damaging mistakes. Sorry for all the questions, but this has been the most informative and helpful forum I've found out there! Y'all are great and very supportive to all of us newbies out there!
