Can / Do Stony Corals Utilize Dead Stony Corals?

[W0terMoist]

If I have a patch of Stony coral that dies, would a different Stoney coral when placed on it, eat up that calcium skeleton? Or do Stony corals only build their skeleton from what they eat and or get from the water?

 

[BeanAnimal]

The dead coral skeleton is just rock. Corals calcify as part of their growth process and the calcium comes from the water, they don't eat rock.

 

[Rowboman]

The only way I know of to feed the skeleton of dead coral to living coral is by adding the skeleton to a calcium reactor. From my understanding though it’s more work than it’s worth

 

[o2manyfish]

Using the dead skeletons in a calcium reactor is a big advantage. Most Rx medias produce just Alkalinity and Calcium - Triton/Dastaco media being tested at 99%+ Alk and Calc.

But when using the skeletons of old SPS, you get not just Alk and Calc, but you also get all the other trace elements they pullet out to make their old skeletons. This is like all in one dosing.

It works great. Just hopefully you will have more success that loss and not be able to keep your Calcium Rx constantly filled with skeletons - They tend to break down faster in the RX and they don't pack as densely.

Dave B