Branching Alveopora

Murminator · #1 12-03-2004, 04:14 AM

Does anyone have experience with these?? I bought one yesterday from AI I slow dripped it for 1 1/2 hours, then traded 1/4 cups of water in the pail before I put it in. It just does not want to open up the flower pots peek out all day and the swell up about 1/4 inch but they just wont fully extend (2"). I have tried it low, tried it high, tried high current & low current. Right now it is medium level low current and still no change.

everthing is 0, PH 8.1-8.3 temp 79 sg 1.024 AI sg in the tank was 1.028 thats why the slow drip

Any advice??

Richer · #2 12-03-2004, 04:21 AM

Give it a few days, it probably still needs to adjust to your tank, especially since your tank is different from that of AI's.

-Richer

SeaHorse_Fanatic · #3 12-03-2004, 04:22 AM

All flowerpots (Alveo & Gonio) are difficult to keep. Maybe leave it in place for a couple of days to let it get happy

& open up. Usually like some flow over them.

mr_alberta · #4 12-03-2004, 04:24 AM

Eric Borneman's book "Aquaium Corals" says this:

"Alvepora are considered similar in their care requirements and as difficult to maintain as Goniopora, and they are not likely to survive in most home aquariums. Low current and low to medium lighting, with, perhaps, a slightly higher nutrient content seem to fit their most common locations in nature." (pg 239)

Hopefully you'll have better luck with yours than others. Since it is a new coral, I would give it a couple of days to settle in.

Murminator · #5 12-03-2004, 04:33 AM

Samw · #6 12-03-2004, 05:22 AM

They like light. So far, I haven't had any problems except when it was placed in the shade. I've had this one 13 months so far. I know others have had no problems with them either. Its not considered impossible nor difficult anymore. I have it under medium current.

Even JBNY has one.

http://www.cnidarianreef.com/images/...isy_022002.jpg

SeaHorse_Fanatic · #7 12-03-2004, 08:26 AM

Of the two types of flowerpot corals, Alveopora are generally considered "easier" to keep alive. Well over 90% of all sold Gon. are dead within 3 months. They're beautiful, but species that are so hard to keep should be left in the ocean (IMHO), except for culture by experienced reefers. Unfortunately, they are among the cheapest to import (re: highest profit margins for the LFS) so it is also one of the most common corals up for sale to the unsuspecting public

who are attracted to the motion & beauty of the waving arms. Many unscrupulous LFS will not mention the dismal success rate & countless reefers try more than once to keep these creatures. (Guilty as charged

)

Murminator · #8 12-03-2004, 04:33 PM

Quote:

attracted to the motion & beauty of the waving arms. Many unscrupulous LFS will not mention the dismal success rate & countless reefers try more than once to keep these creatures.

me........

Tarolisol · #9 12-03-2004, 05:43 PM

Ive had my gonippora for over 6months it was one of my first corals actully and it seems to be doin good. My clowns even host in it.
maybe ive just been lucky.

DukeB · #10 12-03-2004, 05:47 PM

I have had 2 goniopora (purple and a red)and an alveopora (neon green) for almost a year. I do find them to be 'finicky'. I agree with Samw that they do like light and moderate flow.
My purple goniopora was the first one I bought, and I was told to stick it on the sand bed. Well, like every other goniopora I read about, it started to close up and recede at the base. I stuck it up higher in the light and in a moderate flow area... been happy there ever since, with my two false percs calling it home.