Bubble Coral by a noob

[Taya]

Hey there, I have this bubble coral in my first reef tank and was wondering what kind it is exactly? And is it happy? It seems to be doing well, but I’m also very new to the hobby. Thank you!

 

[Spare time]

Just test alkalinity and calcium frequently (especially alk) and keep them to a level near your salt mix. If you dose, do it into a filter intake. Water changes will probably keep your magnesium up so I am not worried about that.They prefer gentle flow and moderate lighting.

What light do you have?

 

[Dark_Knightt]

Also, what type of bubble coral is it? Plerogyra sinuosa? or is it one of those pearl bubbles? How long have you had it in the tank?

 

[Spare time]

It is not a pearly bubble. I believe its Plerogyra sinuosa

 

[Dark_Knightt]

It is not a pearly bubble. I believe its Plerogyra sinuosa

It looks more like a pearl. 1. Do you have any pics of it fully expanded and healthy?
Bubbles can be tricky, it can take them some time to get used to the tank. In the first few days they seem great, then for the next month it wont inflate to what it did before, until it becomes huge again.
If yours is truly plerogyra sinuosa, it may just be going through a phase,

 

[vetteguy53081]

appears to be Plerogyra sinuosa bubble and not an ideal first coral. Hope it does well. wter quality and essential parameters of importance

 

[Dark_Knightt]

appears to be Plerogyra sinuosa bubble and not an ideal first coral. Hope it does well. wter quality and essential parameters of importance

Mine was one of my first corals and its doing great, but true it can take time

 

[Taya]

Alrighty guys so as far as my light I have a Hipargero LED30 watt for nano tanks. I have had this coral for about two months, and I have attached a picture of it the day after I got it. Before I got this new light, I had a FluvalSmart aquasky.
water parameters? Here is what I’ve got.
pH: 8.2
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 10-20 ppm
Alkalinity: 8.3
Mg: 1410
Salinity: 1.024
My pump may be a bit strong, but the coral is in a place where the bubbles seem to move very gently. It has not very round bubbles anymore...
Thank you so much guys!

 

[Taya]

Alrighty guys so as far as my light I have a Hipargero LED30 watt for nano tanks. I have had this coral for about two months, and I have attached a picture of it the day after I got it. Before I got this new light, I had a FluvalSmart aquasky.
water parameters? Here is what I’ve got.
pH: 8.2
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 10-20 ppm
Alkalinity: 8.3
Mg: 1410
Salinity: 1.024
My pump may be a bit strong, but the coral is in a place where the bubbles seem to move very gently. It has not very round bubbles anymore...
Thank you so much guys!

it should also be noted that this coral was sold to me as a bubble coral for $50. No idea what kind, where it’s from

 

[Dark_Knightt]

Alrighty guys so as far as my light I have a Hipargero LED30 watt for nano tanks. I have had this coral for about two months, and I have attached a picture of it the day after I got it. Before I got this new light, I had a FluvalSmart aquasky.
water parameters? Here is what I’ve got.
pH: 8.2
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 10-20 ppm
Alkalinity: 8.3
Mg: 1410
Salinity: 1.024
My pump may be a bit strong, but the coral is in a place where the bubbles seem to move very gently. It has not very round bubbles anymore...
Thank you so much guys!

Its most likely just strong current. I always had a problem with that because my bubble wouldnt inflate because there was too much flow. LIke a tiny bit of movement in the bubbles disturbs it. Try to maybe his it on the other side of a rock where the flow doesnt hit it

 

[Taya]

Its most likely just strong current. I always had a problem with that because my bubble wouldnt inflate because there was too much flow. LIke a tiny bit of movement in the bubbles disturbs it. Try to maybe his it on the other side of a rock where the flow doesnt hit it

Thank you! I will give that a shot.

 

[MERKEY]

It needs more light for sure....

 

[Taya]

It needs more light for sure....

More light? Alrighty, how can I tell for future reference?

 

[MERKEY]

More light? Alrighty, how can I tell for future reference?

For a nano tank you shouldn't need a whole lot but I would think 30 watt is too small. There are a lot of good choices but it depends on how much you want to spend.

 

[Taya]

For a nano tank you shouldn't need a whole lot but I would think 30 watt is too small. There are a lot of good choices but it depends on how much you want to spend.

How many watts would you recommend? Quick google search says 4-8 watts per gallon for a saltwater reef tank.

 

[Dark_Knightt]

I love the brown color btw. Mine is just a basic green

 

[Aheinz]

Love it, I heard ofnthem never saw one in person until recently checking out a lfs after my move. My new tabk im planning to get one

 

[Dark_Knightt]

Love it, I heard ofnthem never saw one in person until recently checking out a lfs after my move. My new tabk im planning to get one

Theyre super awesome when theyre astonishing when theyre fully inflated.

 

[Aheinz]

They are im excited to get my new tabk up and running

 

[Taya]

Update this afternoon after moving the bubble out of flow, there isn’t much movement on the bubbles at all and the light was turned up a bit. The bubbles still are oddly shaped