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FAQs about Dendrophylliid Coral Identification

Related Articles: Dendrophylliid Corals

Related FAQs: Dendrophylliid Identification 1, Dendrophylliid ID 2, Dendrophylliid ID 3, Dendrophylliid ID 4, & Dendrophylliids 1, Dendrophylliids 2, Dendrophylliid Behavior, Dendrophylliid Compatibility, Dendrophylliid Selection, Dendrophylliid Systems, Dendrophylliid Feeding, Dendrophylliid Disease, Dendrophylliid Reproduction, Stony/True Coral, Coral System Set-Up, Coral System Lighting, Stony Coral Identification, Stony Coral Selection, Coral PlacementFoods/Feeding/Nutrition, Disease/Health, Propagation, Growing Reef CoralsStony Coral Behavior,

Non-photosynthetic stony coral... Dendrophylliids maybe  11/28/2007 <Hi Bridget, a confused Mich here.> I noticed that your pictures are of the coral when it's not happy. <Huh? Not sure what your referring to here.> Mine started out looking just like the pictures. <Umm, which pictures?> We've had it in the tank for about a year, we started with 4, lost one and now have a new baby popping up. We tried placing it in various locations, up high for more light didn't make it happy. In the currents made it unhappy as well. What we have found that makes it happy. <Am glad to hear.> Low in the tank, on the ground, in the back away from most of the currents. <Interesting, this does look like a Tubastrea aurea to me, which generally like higher flow.> I've been feeding it twice a week with formula one and meaty chopped foods like shrimp and squid etc. <Better if soaked in Selcon.> It has a very large mouth, and can take a small shrimp cut in half with no effort. <Wow!> I divide a full block of formula one between the 4 when I feed it. <Yikes! A lot of food!> I've also started adding the bottled vitamins, calcium, iodide, strontium, and carbonate alkalinity. Made by Reef builder. <I hope you are testing for all that you supplement.> I've also noticed that it swell's to about 3 x it's daytime size at night so it is away from anyone it can sting. <Very good.> Photo's of daytime appearance, it's tentacle's will expand and get long and stringy at night, about 4"-5" long. Tips will flash that white in any reflections, making them stand out. It's probably the most beautiful part of my tank and I really am happy to have this hitchhiker on my live rocks. <Glad to hear.> Your welcome to use my photo's, only wish the camera would show all the real color in the coral. It's drop dead stunning when it's happy!!! <Very good.> Take care <You too Bridget.> Bridget <Cheers, Mich> PS. There is one of those little micro stars (blue and white) next to it for size reference. <Mmm, not seeing this either...>

Re: Non-photosynthetic stony coral... Dendrophylliids Maybe or maybe not... 12/1/2007 <Hi Bridget, Mich here again> Epizoanthus couchii http://www.marevita.org/index.php?option=classification&path=Cnidaria/Anthozoa/Zoantharia/Zoanthidea/Epizoantidae
/Epizoanthus/Epizoanthus%20couchii Found this website, this is a lot like what I have. <The polyp looks very close, especially the white tips on the end. However Epizoanthus couchii originate in the cold seas surrounding Britain. I would be rather surprised if you somehow managed to acquire this coral, let alone keep it in a warm reef tank. Though it is possible that this is a member of the order Zoanthidea.> I'm finding in my research that the Dendrophylliids are tube like at the base, my coral has no tube, its mouth comes straight out of the rock. <Dendrophylliids are reef-building corals, they have a coral skeleton... The order Zoanthidea is comprised of corals that are not reef building, thus they have no skeletons. This would be a simple place to start to determine what coral you have. So, skeleton or no skeleton?> Do you know anything about this type of coral and are my feeding and care (listed below) correct? <It is possible that the original ID is incorrect, it did bother me that I did not see any pics that had the white tips like yours did, but I find it doubtful that this is Epizoanthus couchii as well, working under the assumption that you are keeping a standard warm water reef system.> Thank you <Welcome! Mich> Bridget

Re: Non-photosynthetic stony coral Non-photosynthetic stony coral... Dendrophylliids Maybe or maybe not... 12/3/2007 <Hello Bridget, Mich with you again.> Thank you for this, <Welcome!> I had someone that directed me in the direction of the cup coral's. <There are several corals that are commonly called cup corals... Including Tubastrea which may also be called an orange cup coral.> http://www.kelpfish.net/winners/NovMac01.jpg <The picture is fine but there is no ID on it... not exactly helpful.> Mine varies slightly, most of its pretty darn close http://www.drekster.com/myrescues/coral1.htm Website here of my corals, before and after <I see this.> The variations are in color, more than anything else, mine is brown and pink, one of them has pink spots in the tentacle as well. I suspect they are probably a form of the brown cup coral, or something fairly close to this and yes, the one that died left a skeleton. <Then it is not a part of the Phylum Cnidaria.> They don't retract, just get bigger or smaller, so it's kinda hard to see the skeleton. <But they are present.> In the top picture on my site, bottom, left, middle. you can just barely see the old skeleton, of the one that died. Kinda whitish in that murky darkness, <I think I see what you're referring to here.> and they are right next to the heater in the tank, definitely not cold water. <No.> Thank you so much for your help Hopefully this is a right direction? <Sort of back where we started. Mich> Bridget

Re: Non-photosynthetic Stony Coral... Dendrophylliids Maybe... 12/07/2007 Well darn! <Golly gee willikers! Bridget!> You have been so helpful. <Glad you think so... Can't say that I feel that I've been terrible helpful here...> Do you think this might be something that hasn't been named? <Mmm, no, not very likely, more likely just something I'm not familiar with.> Or maybe over looked because it's not real colorful? <Well it does bear resemblance to some other corals, could be a color variation or just not something very common.> I had someone mention to me that they are the same color as the food I've been feeding. I've been running an experiment, since that statement. I am feeding them only formula 2 for 2 days now. Seeing a slight color change, the brown is turning more red. Plan to give it a solid week to see if they might turn green. <Well, I would be surprised to see a color change that quickly, though not sure why you think it might turn green.> We'll see what happens, <Well, keep us posted.> might also explain why we can't ID them. <Mmm, perhaps, but there more than 2000 species of corals and many variations in looks within the each species, so it in not unreasonable that I am unable to give a more certain ID.> Will let you know <Please do!> Thank you, sooooooooo much <You're welcome! Mich>
Bridget

Re: Non-photosynthetic stony coral... Dendrophylliids Maybe 11/29/2007 <Hi Bridget, a confused Mich here.> I noticed that your pictures are of the coral when it's not happy. <Huh? Not sure what your referring to here.> >http://www.wetwebmedia.com/stonycoridfaq.htm The pictures I referred to are on this page, top picture< <<Umm, OK.>> >Mine started out looking just like the pictures.< <Umm, which pictures?> We've had it in the tank for about a year, we started with 4, lost one and now have a new baby popping up. We tried placing it in various locations, up high for more light didn't make it happy. In the currents made it unhappy as well. What we have found that makes it happy. <Am glad to hear.> Low in the tank, on the ground, in the back away from most of the currents. <Interesting, this does look like a Tubastrea aurea to me, which generally like higher flow.> >Thank you for the ID on it, I've found many pictures of them but no real ID, just stony coral!< <<Well it sure looks like a Dendrophylliid, more specifically a Tubastrea aurea, to me.>> I've been feeding it twice a week with formula one and meaty chopped foods like shrimp and squid etc. <Better if soaked in Selcon.> It has a very large mouth, and can take a small shrimp cut in half with no effort. <Wow!> I divide a full block of formula one between the 4 when I feed it. <Yikes! A lot of food!> I've also started adding the bottled vitamins, calcium, iodide, strontium, and carbonate alkalinity. Made by Reef builder. <I hope you are testing for all that you supplement.> I've also noticed that it swell's to about 3 x it's daytime size at night so it is away from anyone it can sting. <Very good.> Photo's of daytime appearance, it's tentacle's will expand and get long and stringy at night, about 4"-5" long. Tips will flash that white in any reflections, making them stand out. It's probably the most beautiful part of my tank and I really am happy to have this hitchhiker on my live rocks. <Glad to hear.> Your welcome to use my photo's, only wish the camera would show all the real color in the coral. It's drop dead stunning when it's happy!!! <Very good.> Take care <You too Bridget.> Bridget <Cheers, Mich> PS. There is one of those little micro stars (blue and white) next to it for size reference. <Mmm, not seeing this either...> >Sending picture again, micro star has one long leg and four short legs (reproduction?) and it's in the bottom right hand corner.< <<I see it now. It is an Asterina star and the physical appearance is likely a result reproduction or recovered injury. They are capable of regeneration.>> Sorry should have told you where to look with this, your site is so big it's easy to get lost. <<There are lifetimes of work on this site.>> Take care <<Thank you Bridget, you take care as well, Mich>>
Bridget

Australian Scott's Fairy Wrasse  11/27/2007 Hi Bob, <Hey Peg> I know I told you I'd send a pic of the fabulous Aussie Scott's Fairy when I could get a good one, and in the event I've not yet forwarded the pic, I'm attaching one here. He's comfortable in one of the store display reefs now (180) and draws a lot of attention! He goes 5 to 6" and has a great appetite. What a wonderful fish. The H. trispilus/chrysus/cross/hybrid is also doing well and is a stunning fish whatever he is. :O) Off to do some water changes. Hope this finds you having a great week! Peggy www.all-reef.com <Thank you my friend... am out visiting in much warmer Hawaii... Will post with credit to you. Cheers, BobF>

Re: Australian Scott's Fairy Wrasse  11/27/2007 Hawaii, uh? I'm jealous. We're looking at 3-5" of snow tonight, and the temp when I awoke this morning was 3 degrees with a -15 wind-chill. How's that grab you? :O) <Low, and very hard... I "like" the snow... can tolerate (short-term) some cold... but very much prefer the tropics> I've attached some pics of a very nice piece of Australian coral, a Duncanopsammia axifuga. They ship a bit poorly but always bounce back with good care and lots of good food. They're voracious feeders. <Mmmm, thank you for this... Am thinking of asking how much time you might have to help us/WWM out... with the more detailed reef questions... And...> Off to work. Do enjoy the sweet and warm sunshine of the islands for me! P <I spent many years "on the floor" in pet-fish retail... and have a high sense of compassion... Am very pleased to meet up with you, your apparent "great" attitude toward the work, life. Cheers, BobF>

Re: Australian Scott's Fairy Wrasse  11/28/2007 Hi Bob, <Peg> Thanks for the good laugh on your comment regarding our weather. It was very descript. :O) Looks like our snow will not be upon us until later today. One can't rely too heavily on the weathermen or women. I prefer the look out the window method. It's more accurate. <And satisfying all the way around> Perhaps in the future I can make time to assist on WWM as you suggest. I'm presently a one-woman band in my store, i.e., chief cook and bottle washer, the sole soul of proprietorship. <Outstanding... I spent some 14 years on the floor in pet-fish retail myself... Not an easy job.> I'm flattered to think you would consider me though. I've been considering sponsoring at WWM because it's such an incredible site and offers a plethora of quality info. Because I essentially detest forums (too many "experts" who actually know less than those asking for help), <We share this point of view. I wonder if folks would readily 'listen' to such BBs for other important matters like their health... To me, an unorganized mix of even "Dear Abby" quality banter is a waste of time> I have the utmost respect for you, Calfo, Borneman, Delbeek, and certain others in the industry who do provide quality information. I do have a boatload of information stored away in the noggin after almost 18 years of serious reefing. I anticipate sitting in a retirement home many (hopefully very many) years from now reciting species names and no one else knowing what the hell I'm talking about and assuming I've just slipped into dementia. :O) <Heeee! If I have to go... am going to own the place. Oh, and we'll have fish tanks aplenty> You are correct about the positive attitude towards work and life. Always an optimist. I consider myself extremely fortunate to be pursuing what I love as a livelihood! I was a paralegal for 22 years in the court system working with many judges and lawyers. It's obviously a very political environment and over the past couple of years had worn me down terribly. I finally pulled the plug to pursue my store full-time just this past August. <Ah, congrats!> I had been tinkering with it for over a year. Every morning when I wake up and don't have to suit up and head to the government center, I realize just how wealthy I truly am. I enjoy helping my customers and teaching them how to be successful. <Ahhhh!> My motto is if you don't learn something every time you come into my store, then I haven't done my job. I've developed a pretty good clientele already and word is getting out, so I trust the store will survive. :O) Time to get a move on and get down there. Lots of protein skimmers that need attention and lots of hungry herbivores awaiting my arrival! I'm still jealous you're in Hawaii, but I'll be close when I get to my store! :O) <I see> Thanks again Bob, and make it a great day! Oh, please give my regards to Charles Delbeek if you happen to visit the Waikiki, which I can't imagine you wouldn't! He doesn't know I exist, but you can say hello for me anyway. :O) <Have been e-chatting w/ Charlie re he swinging over to the Big Island this go... and us getting in some diving, chatting... We'll see. Cheers, BobF> Peggy
www.all-reef.com

 

Cup Corals... Dendrophylliids?    6/21/07 I recently purchased to two cup corals for my 65g set-up EcoSystem. I did my research and purchased one orange cup coral and one (neon) yellow cup coral. Both reside in caves away from direct light and sit on the live sand. <Tubastraeas? Live attached to hard substrates, not in sand> The colonies are structured different for both where the orange cup(s) are smaller and rounder where the neon yellow is a larger (longer) cup. I direct feed with a syringe using Cyclop-eeze, a tiny amount of defrosted shrimp and some trace minerals/vitamins once a day. The two feed differently and the question I have is this The orange cup opens up with a tiny hole for its mouth and with very short polyps (almost appears plump around the small opening with tiny polyps). The neon yellow cup however responds differently with long neon green/yellow long polyps...almost hairy looking! Do cup corals have differing polyp lengths like this or is there something wrong with the orange cup with the small short polyps. <Mmm, would you send along pix and/or scientific names for these organisms?> They are healthy and look great but I don't understand this difference. Thoughts? Thanks so much, Geno
<Bob Fenner>
 

Quick coral ID 8/6/05 Greetings Bob & Crew! <<Hello Ray. Ted on this end>> Sent this one off about 2 weeks ago and still  no response.  Lost in cyberspace? <<Sorry>> Anyway, found this little guy growing on a small LR frag.  Thought it was just coralline when I got it but it looks like coral as it is growing.  It has very thin clear-white filaments that come out of the ends during the day and at night (from what I can see). No idea what it is.  I've done searches and nothing looks familiar.  Perhaps some sort of SPS?  I've also had sun coral suggested, but does not look right to me. It's currently near the top of a rock pile, under MH lighting and seems to be doing fine after a few weeks. <<Identifying corals from pictures is difficult. Having said that, I am going to take a stab at this and suggest it may be Tubastrea coccinea (Orange Cup Coral). See http://www.wetwebmedia.com/dendrophylliidae.htm.>> Thanks!
-Ray
<<Your welcome - Ted>>

Ughhh... dyed coral! The Fascists!!! Hello Bob, etc... <Anthony Calfo in your service> I love your site, and thank you for providing us reefers with such a useful, purposeful resource. I just purchased a new coral from my LFS and was trying to do a species ID to ensure that it gets proper care. I think that I have it under control from a general point of view, but I am after long term success, not 6-12 month torture... <yes... thank you, pictures most always help a great deal> Anyway, I have attached a pic for help, but in looking around your site I see a species that I think fits better than the LFS ID of pagoda coral. In my opinion, this is Turbinaria frondens. The shape seems more like Turbinaria peltata, but it has the brilliant yellow color of frondens. At first I was concerned about this being a dyed animal, but upon further inspection, I believe that this is natural coloration. Do you agree? <I am as certain as I can be without seeing the animal personally that this IS a dyed animal. Tragic. The polyps structure does not resemble T. frondens at all to me. T. peltata> Also, now that this coral is home, and the polyps are opening, I noticed that one polyp appears to have been taken over by a critter with 2 slender antennae.  <barnacles and sessile snails are quite common and harmless. Rather a fascinating incidental creature. Do enjoy> I noticed that there was a reference to this situation in the FAQ, but not a lot of info as to dealing with it. Should I be concerned?  <not at all... many hitchhikers and commensals make it through with little notice or cause for concern> I really don't want to add to the bioload of my system with a fish addition, but possibly a shrimp/crab would be in order. Currently I have 1 tomato clown, 1 yellow tang, 1 scooter dragonette, 1 neon goby, and 1 PJ Cardinalfish in my 50g tank. This system has been set up for a little over 2 years with this bio load and 75lbs Fiji LR. <if the cardinal hasn't been alone for too long, some mates might be nice for a shoal. Shrimp would be an equally aesthetic move... serving little functional purpose. Crabs tend to be a little more risk... only add if you find one that attracts you and has a very good reputation. Too many crabs are truly omnivorous> On a side-note, one of the first uninformed decisions I made for my tank was the purchase of a Sebae anemone. After reading about it I thought it was doomed (it seems they all are)  <not all, but many/most> but I've had it for 2 years now, and it is getting huge! I just wanted to share a success story regarding the poor Sebae anemone. By the way...I think this is Heteractis crispa. Thanks for your expert guidance! <and thank you for the success story! Do share some thoughts on why you feel yours has made it. What do you feed and how often? What kind of lights and changed how often? Using carbon and doing regular water changes to maintain water clarity for optimum light penetration? Any other thoughts?> Jason <best regards, Anthony Calfo>
 

Re: Turbinaria species, Dyed coral Anthony...How can I better tell if this is a dyed animal?  <a matter of experience/information... size/shape of corallites and polyp structures on the corallum indicate that this animal is almost certainly T. peltata. It really cannot be anything else. Color has nothing to do with coral identification. T. peltata for that matter occurs in brown, green, teal, pink/tan, etc. Unfortunately yellow is not a naturally occurring color for this species. Furthermore, T. peltata is categorically in the top three commonly dyed coral. A truly abhorrent practice as I'm sure you'd agree. An insult to the magnificent beauty of the coral reef in all of its natural forms. Reports indicate that this animal for its hardiness may survive the dye job although not without some stress. Occasional feeding of very fine food will be especially helpful to compensate for the reduced symbiotic activity of the now masked (dyed/pigmented) tissue for Zooxanthellae>  All areas of the coral that are flesh covered are the same shade of yellow. There is an area near the base stem that are not flesh covered and it is pure white. If this is in fact a dyed animal, what type of success do you predict (i.e. is there any chance)? In the future, how can I avoid the purchase of a dyed coral. <just research a species before you buy it. Know its needs, hardiness, natural behavior (and colors<G>). Also read about current trends in the industry... many threads about dyed corals on the big forums and message boards. Membership in a good local aquarium society as well will keep you informed> Regarding the Sebae, I have it under 275w PC lighting. 3X55 10k/actinic, 1x55 6400k, 1x55 actinic. I change my bulbs app. each 12 months...not all at once, but about 1 every month or so until they are fresh.  <excellent technique with the bulbs! Kudos> I feed the anemone about once per week, usually squid, octopus, or shrimp. Also, I have "blender mush" that I feed the tank and usually the tomato clown gives a chunk to the anemone.  <also excellent> When I bought the anemone it was pure white with purple tips. A few days later it expelled more zoo (sp?) anthe and proceeded to let go of the rock it was on and roll around the tank.  <yes... sadly typical> I moved it to a preferred (by me) position under the lights, and it grabbed on, only moving about 8" to the place where it has been for last 22 months or so. It has since turned brown, but has grown in size from 3" across to now more than 14". <excellent... a success story. Thank you for sharing it. FAQ readers take heed> I change about 15g per month in this 50g system. I rarely use carbon at all, but I do get a lot of skimmate from my Bak-Pak skimmer.  <yes.... critical for exporting dissolved organics especially with your lack of carbon and average water changes schedule> My water is usually crystal clear, but I use tap water so I get some diatom algae.  <not a crime> For current, I have the Rio 600 on the skimmer, AquaClear 802 ph, AquaClear 301 ph, and Catalina 100 PH. They are all on different flow paths so the current is pretty random.  <wow... fantastic! over 1000pgh total circulation in this 50 gall but strategically random turbulent. Highly effective and to be recommended. Keeps detritus in suspension for a good skimmer, feeds corals more, etc> Also, I have my LR elevated above the DSB with the Catalina PH blowing directly under the LR structure. I maintain my Ph at 8.4, Alk at 14dKh, CA at 350-400ppm. I don't have any measurable NO2 or Ammonia, but my NO3 is usually about 5-10 ppm. I supplement with Kent Superbuffer, strontium/molybdenum, Zoë, and some other that I can't remember. <sounds very fine> Other corals in the system are: Hammer, Brain, Frogspawn, bubble, Candycane, lots of colts, Sarcophyton, Sinularia, green star polyps, hairy 'Shrooms, other misc. 'Shrooms, and fox coral. I'm thinking of adding a pink Fungia and maybe a couple of brightly colored sponges. Attached is a pic of the system taken in April...it looks a little different now. <again... thank you for sharing. Best regards, Anthony>

Coral ID- Yellow Scroll coral  2/9/03 Hi Bob, or whoever answers this. <Anthony Calfo in your service> What is the name of the hard coral in the 5th picture down on the 'Marine Maintenance' page? <Turbinaria mesentaria- Yellow Scroll coral. It is very hardy and very weakly aggressive (protect from other corals with, say, a 25 cm buffer zone). It does not/cannot feed on prepared food (polyps are too small... requires nanoplankton and dissolved organics), but does require very bright light and very strong random turbulent water flow> I bought one of these from a bloke who was giving up the hobby, but he did not know the name. I have had it now for several months and it is doing fine. Many thanks Colin <excellent to hear. Its not an especially fast grower... but will let you know promptly when nitrates are too high or light is too low by turning a darker (golden/brown) color. No worries on polyp extension here... it is weak and usually just at night. Best regards, Anthony>

Orange Sun polyps or Zoo's? - Tubastrea it is 7/23/04 Hey gang, Greetings from Denver, Colorado! <cheers> I was told by the kid at the LFS, that these were "some sort of polyp colony", as he put it. I wasn't sure either, so I traded some Xenia frags for it. Anthony (or any of the other fine members of WWM crew!) if y'all could enlighten me as to what they are for sure, I'd appreciate it. Thanks for the continuing effort in knowledge y'all provide here, The Mile High Stormbringer. (aka; Scott in Denver!) <yikes... this is definitely one coral that needed a correct ID before buying it/bringing it home. They are ahermatypic aposymbiotic Tubastrea. In other words... it is the night-feeding stony "sun coral". They have no place in a reef tank but need a species specific tank ideally. This is because each and every single polyps is a separate coral and needs to be fed individually several times weekly (if not daily). With those needs met, it can be hardy, grow well and even reproduce in captivity. Its shameless that the LFS sells these without advising customers of their extraordinary needs. It honestly makes me a little sad at times to think of how many of these coral they sell this way. For you Scott... do search the web and beyond for info on Tubastrea. Do note the special sections I give to it in my Book of Coral Propagation (in the Feeding chapter as well as with its family in the Overviews). Best regards, Anthony>

Coral ID and Reef Husbandry 1/23/05 Dear Bob and Crew, <howdy!> My name is Dean and I am an aquaholic. <I like to drink water too... every day. No worries> I have what my LFS identifies as a cup coral in my 55 gallon Tank.  <yep... Turbinaria peltata. A very hardy coral that favors feeding small meaty foods like Mysids once weekly for starters> It is some type of plating coral. I watched this coral for several weeks at the LFS before I purchased it. I feel confident that if it could survive in their tanks, then it would survive in mine. <This Turbinaria is an excellent starter coral indeed.> I have extensively researched your site and to no avail at an accurate identity. Would you please review the attached picture for me. I have this coral at the top of my tank. It is approximately four inches from the top of the water and the lights are sitting directly on the cover glass.  <moderate to strong turbulent water flow is the key with this species> It is probably six inches from the light source. This coral has been in my tank since August 2004 and I did quarantine it for four weeks... <excellent to hear! Thank you> ...before introducing it to my display tank. When you look down at this coral from the top, it appears that some of the tissue is receding.  <not uncommon... a bit of damage or lack of feeding over time. Resume good water quality and feeding and it will heal fast> But if you look closely at the picture along the lower edges, you can see a new row of polyps starting to grow and the tissue is spreading on the non-light portions of the rock. What are your thoughts? <I like natural vanilla (bean) ice-cream... thanks for asking> Tank Parameters: 55 Gallon Oceanic Flat Back Hex Tank. It has been in operation for two years. Lighting consists of two 40 watt 20K Coral Life bulbs. <change these every 6-10 months for best coral health> Penguin 400 filter. HOT Magnum Canister Filter. DIY Downdraft Protein Skimmer. About one cup of tea color skimmate every one/two days. <good start... do dry smaller bubbles or a lower active foam/water interface in the skimmer neck to be able to collect darker/more dense skimmate> 20 percent water change per month. 150 pounds of base rock mostly covered with pink coralline algae. Plenum with three inches of aragonite on top. Several Yuma Ricordea Mushrooms. One Pterogorgia guadalupensis. One three inch Coral Beauty. One Four inch Yellow Tang. One four inch Lawn Mower Blenny. One Coral Banded Shrimp. Too many button polyps and sun polyps to count. Started with only one sun polyp and four button polyps free from the LFS. Ammonia has always tested "0". Nitrite has always tested "0". Nitrate "0" to only a trace. Calcium normally runs 350. pH is normally 8.2/8.3 during the day. I did test it early one morning this weekend, before the lights came on, and it tested about 8.0. <do raise this to 8.3 minimum> Alkalinity test normal to high with a Red Sea pH/Alkalinity test kit. I drip Kalkwasser for the make-up water. I currently have a small trumpet coral in my quarantine tank to be moved to my display tank next week. Could you recommend a location after reviewing the full view if my tank. I really enjoyed the CMA. I have read it several times from cover to cover. I also have a copy of your Reef Invertebrates in the mail for my birthday. Your help would be appreciated. Thanks Dean <best of luck and life to you my friend. Anthony>



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