Centerpiece Coral

[tdileo]

Hey guys, now that my tank is really starting to fill in I am looking for a centerpiece coral. I really would like a euphyllia but don't want to deal with them stinging things nearby.
My tank is a mixed reef so I'm not too worried about what species would go there. The area is currently medium light and low-medium flow, however I will be getting another powerhead soon and depending on what I decide I want as that show stopper coral I can redirect the flow of one.
I am not too picky but here are the main points I am looking for. If you have something you like but it doesn't follow this please chime in anyway, would love to hear everybodys opinions!
- Peaceful
- Not green
- Branches or large polyps

 

[Troy V]

The red Goniopora I've found to be extremely forgiving. It even made it through the cycle of my new system where PO4 levels reached .28. Also it doesn't need much light and is fast growing. Within 2 years its gone from just a dime sized frag to over 8" across when fully open. Plus it looks beautiful open or closed. HTH

 

[kschweer]

A nice gold torch could make a nice centerpiece.

 

[bk_market]

I also like goniopora or maybe a large elegance piece.

 

[cloak]

How about a Duncan coral? Once these things really fill out they're definitely an eye catcher IMO.

 

[tdileo]

How about a Duncan coral? Once these things really fill out they're definitely an eye catcher IMO.

They are one of the corals I'm thinking about. Just wish I could find some crazy color. They only come in like green and blue right?

 

[tdileo]

The red Goniopora I've found to be extremely forgiving. It even made it through the cycle of my new system where PO4 levels reached .28. Also it doesn't need much light and is fast growing. Within 2 years its gone from just a dime sized frag to over 8" across when fully open. Plus it looks beautiful open or closed. HTH

If I recall you have to feed these guys or they die right? Some people say they are very easy and others say they're difficult and a few years ago were impossible

 

[Troy V]

I have been reef keeping for over 25 years, and in that time I've tried keeping Goniopora a number of times, only to watch it slowly deflate and die. I swore I would never keep it again. Then a friend of mine told me that it was unlike any other Goniopora. This one doesn't require feeding or anything else, he told me it was the hardest coral in his tank. He was right....

 

[tdileo]

I have been reef keeping for over 25 years, and in that time I've tried keeping Goniopora a number of times, only to watch it slowly deflate and die. I swore I would never keep it again. Then a friend of mine told me that it was unlike any other Goniopora. This one doesn't require feeding or anything else, he told me it was the hardest coral in his tank. He was right....

Must have been the species you get. Kind of like Indo/Australian elegance.
I will be on the lookout in my local reefing club for anybody with a goniopora established over 2 years and try and get a frag

 

[Troy V]

Here it is in my old system.

While the new system was in the middle of a big cycle. (Center tank- far left side.)

One month ago.

 

[tdileo]

Here it is in my old system.

While the new system was in the middle of a big cycle. (Center tank- far left side.)

One month ago.

Oh man I wish I was you. As a 15 year old I can only dream of some day having 3 tanks..

 

[Troy V]

I started when I was 15 with a 20 tall. All I could afford was the gas at 90¢ a gallon to get me to the coast and collect my own livestock. It fueled my passion. Now my current system is because I've been incrementally upgrading over the years as my specimens outgrow their environment. But for the record I would gladly trade you my entire system to be 15 again Enjoy the ride my friend it goes by in a blink of an eye.

 

[cloak]

They are one of the corals I'm thinking about. Just wish I could find some crazy color. They only come in like green and blue right?

Yeah, your kind of limited when it comes down to color, but they're still beautiful nonetheless. They also have a voracious apatite too, so if your ever entertaining some guests you can turn off some of the powerheads, throw in some live brine shrimp and let the magic happen.

On a side note; a Yellow Fiji leather is definitely something worth considering. (Sarcophyton elegans)

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2013/3/corals

 

[tdileo]

Yeah, your kind of limited when it comes down to color, but they're still beautiful nonetheless. They also have a voracious apatite too, so if your ever entertaining some guests you can turn off some of the powerheads, throw in some live brine shrimp and let the magic happen.

On a side note; a Yellow Fiji leather is definitely something worth considering. (Sarcophyton elegans)

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2013/3/corals

I actually have a sarcophyton and it is probably a good 3-4 inches opened. He is one of my secondary pieces that I have to provide shade over an area I want to fill with low light corals like other leathers, mushrooms, etc. I think I do want a duncan but probably opposite side to my sarcophyton, then something big and very fluorescent in the middle.