Carnation Coral

[PeterEde]

I just picked one up yesterday. Looked great.
Did I make a mistake? Will it last?
I have now read it's an expert only coral.

 

[Nano sapiens]

Unfortunately, if it's a Denronephthya it's very unlikely that it will survive for long in a typical reef aquarium. Even in a fully dedicated NPS system, they are very challenging.

 

[PeterEde]

Unfortunately, if it's a Denronephthya it's very unlikely that it will survive for long in a typical reef aquarium. Even in a fully dedicated NPS system, they are very challenging.

Pretty sure that's what it is. Was in the LFS for quite a while. But they run NSW although our local NSW is not the same as barrier reef water

 

[mdb_talon]

Based off personal experience I would say it will last 2 to 3 months. I have great luck with NPS in general. Sun coral, nos gorgs, etc. Knock on wood I have spider sponge going strong at about the 1 year mark

Carnations however.....I can't get them to look good more than a couple months. They always visually appear to thrive then seem to quickly go downhill.

 

[MaxM]

Some good ideas here. https://www.algaebarn.com/blog/corals/carnation-corals-in-the-home-aquarium-a-new-hope-of-success/

I wonder if it would benefit from carbon dosing?

 

[Nano sapiens]

Some good ideas here. https://www.algaebarn.com/blog/corals/carnation-corals-in-the-home-aquarium-a-new-hope-of-success/

I wonder if it would benefit from carbon dosing?

Studies have shown that bacteria do make up a good part of their diet (how much is likely species specific). Since carbon dosing encourages bacterial growth it could be helpful if the bacteria produced are of the right type. And something like the PNS purple non-sulfur bacteria (Rhodospirillaceae) might also be good to try.

I have managed to keep a small Scleronephthya frag going for over a year, but that's in a very mature 14 year old reef aquarium that tested with a very high percentage of water borne bacteria (Pelagibacteraceae) which these corals have been shown to consume in nature.