Flower Pot and Cup coral issues!!

The Grizz · #1 09-09-2010, 01:50 AM

So I have 2 flower pot's, 1 is red and the other is purple and a cup coral. When I first got them they all extended out and looked amazing but now the only time they seem to extend is when the light's go out and the moon light led's come on.

Any one have any ideas of what might be happening or what I should try to bring them around? They are not dead as I can see the polyp's ( if that is what they are called) in the hole's but they don't want to come out and play.

This is what they looked like for a few month's after I got them:

Can't seem to find a pic of the cup.

naesco · #2 09-09-2010, 02:00 AM

Sorry Grizz but your flowerpots or goniopora are slowly dying.
They have no chance of living in reefers tanks and that is why they should not be imported or sold.
The experts who are experimenting with their needs have had some success with tanks supercharged with phytoplankton to the point that the water has a constant very distinct green tinge to it.

If you want to you could set up another tank along the same idea.
If you just purchased them return them to the lfs that sold them to you for a full credit. They know the drill on this species.

The Grizz · #3 09-09-2010, 02:14 AM

Well if they are slowly dieing it sure taking long enough. They have been like this for the last 2 month and I have had then for about 6 month.

I have seen them in other tanks as well, in which they were there for years. I have heard and read all about there track record and beginning to agree that they should be left in the ocean but the are so nice.

apexifd · #4 09-09-2010, 02:36 AM

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/10/aafeature2

looks like they are possible to keep in a close system. I have mine for 2 months now. colour fade when it was under power compact in the bio cube. but, with it move into the 75g with 150watt MH... colour starts to come back and it polyp extension is great now as well.

The Grizz · #5 09-09-2010, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apexifd

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/10/aafeature2

looks like they are possible to keep in a close system. I have mine for 2 months now. colour fade when it was under power compact in the bio cube. but, with it move into the 75g with 150watt MH... colour starts to come back and it polyp extension is great now as well.

This is a strange, I was just reading the exact same article. Do you target feed yours? Got a pic?

naesco · #6 09-09-2010, 03:05 AM

Grizz don't get excited.
The article was written over five years ago by a guy that works at a fish store called feathers and fins.

Tried to find the article on using a green phytoplankton tank but can't find it yet.

paddyob · #7 01-28-2011, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naesco

Sorry Grizz but your flowerpots or goniopora are slowly dying.
They have no chance of living in reefers tanks and that is why they should not be imported or sold.
The experts who are experimenting with their needs have had some success with tanks supercharged with phytoplankton to the point that the water has a constant very distinct green tinge to it.

If you want to you could set up another tank along the same idea.
If you just purchased them return them to the lfs that sold them to you for a full credit. They know the drill on this species.

Agree... for the most part. Most of them do die. They are really picky and have very specific needs.

Most LFS will not take a coral back. Even the good ones sell hard/impossible to keep species.

I wish you luck Greg!

The Codfather · #8 01-28-2011, 01:36 AM

Greg,
I have had a red for over 3 years, almost 4 now. It was about 2" in size when I bought it and is now the size of a soft ball. I did not feed it or give it any special care and it grew just fine under the 250 halides, although I did have to move it to calmer waters after I increased the flow in the tank.

The Grizz · #9 01-28-2011, 01:41 AM

Maybe once I switch out my lights to MH I will try another one if I find a good deal.

daniella3d · #10 09-09-2010, 03:02 AM

Are you feeding them? Goniopora especialy need feeding and alveopora as well. Try feeding the tank some ReefRoid as this food was developed for goniopora. Also some cyclopeeze might be good. Mine never really accepted this food so I keep putting the ReefRoid every day, just a little bit to feed them.

I stop the skimmer for an hour and feed it to the tank.

Also I have read that Zeovit amino acid is a good product to prevent goniopora and alveopora from shrinking to nothing. Mine have been going well for 7 months now, even growing. They really extend a few inches when the metal halide goes on.

Gonioporas and alveoporas cannot really thrive in a low nutriment system.

Phytoplankton? who said they eat phyto? Reefroid is zooplankton and I read pretty much everywhere they eat zooplankton from the water.

I have red that Fauna Marin is now developing a specialized food for them, not sure if that is ready or not. ReefRoid is the way to go but also Faune Marin Ultraseafan and UltraMIn could be helpful.