Gorgonian?

[U4BOYZ]

Has anyone had any experience with a gorgonian coral? I'm thinking of getting one in a few weeks when my water is stable again....but I'm a newbie and I like to get fairly easy corals. Thanks.

 

[d2mini]

I have 3. So far so good. They need lots of flow and good lighting.

 

[U4BOYZ]

Thanks. That I have....do you have to feed them?

 

[d2mini]

They are filter feeders so I throw phytofeast in the tank for them, the sponges, etc.
I wouldn't do that though until you get your algae issues under control.

 

[Melosu58]

Liveaquaria rates them as difficult. I`ve never tried them for that reason. Can I ask how long you have had your`s d2mini?

 

[U4BOYZ]

Definitely d2mini...water first...then new coral. :)

 

[d2mini]

I have two brown ones and the purple one. All are doing great. Have only had them for 6 weeks.

 

[Bifferwine]

Gorgonians are supposed to be super tough. I've never tried one because their life expectancy in our tanks is so short.

 

[yote]

This is mine a couple of years ago.

And this is what it looks like now.

 

[U4BOYZ]

Wow. Beautiful photos! I've heard from some people (along with Biff) that they are really tough. Then I've heard from others that they are pretty easy (including my LFS). Has anyone had one for 1+ years in their tank? I thought it would be a great way to add some color to my tank...but not if it's going to die in 3 months.
:(

 

[yote]

I've had mine a couple of years.
I wont say that all of em are hard corals to keep,but some of them dont do well in enclosed systems.
One thing I have noticed with gorgonians,is they like to have some zooplankton in their diet.

 

[U4BOYZ]

Are zooplankton and phytoplankton along the same lines? My LFS store said phytoplankton...

 

[yote]

Phyto is plants and algae where zooplankton is extremely small bugs and stuff.
Where filter feeders like sponges and clams would like the phyto,most corals and gorgonians perfer the zooplankton.

 

[U4BOYZ]

Thanks Yote. :)

 

[dcantucson]

I have had three for almost two years now. I started with five. I don't know the key though. With my stuff I think it is more of a hit or miss thing. One thing that I have learned is that if something is doing well where it's at then leave it be.

 

[ltljoker]

I have had the flat blade purple and I now have the golden gorgonian and they are fairly easy as long as they have plenty of flow. i dont do anything special or mine but they seem to thrive. :^::bounce::^:

 

[sen5241b]

Those red things are sponges? Where you get'em? My LFS's sponges aren't so red.

 

[U4BOYZ]

I have had three for almost two years now. I started with five. I don't know the key though. With my stuff I think it is more of a hit or miss thing. One thing that I have learned is that if something is doing well where it's at then leave it be.

Good point. I'm always messing with stuff. I gotta stop doing that!

 

[parrotchute]

Some gorgonians are more photosynthetic than others; the ones that are less photosynthetic often prove a lot harder to take care of...

 

[yvr]

i have 4 non-photosynthetic gorgonians and a carnation coral in my tank, all of which I have had for at least 3 years. I keep my corals well fed and feed 3 times per week alternating with live baby brine shrimp, frozen cyclops, Tropic Marin Pro-Coral Phyton and TM Pro-Coral Zooton. As the names suggests TM phyton is a photo plankton like product and Zooton is a zooplankton like food product for corals. I have noticed greater polyp extension and more pods etc. in my tank since I started feeding the Pro Coral foods.