Christmas tree rock care

[r33fertank]

Hey guys, just bought a christmas tree rock from my lfs and was wondering if anyone has one and what sort flow/light/feeding/tank placement etc they seem to do best in?
I know they need filter feeder food like phytoplankton and i am currently drip acclimating it with lights off. Any help appreciated. Thanks

 

[jmerideth1]

Hey guys, just bought a christmas tree rock from my lfs and was wondering if anyone has one and what sort flow/light/feeding/tank placement etc they seem to do best in?
I know they need filter feeder food like phytoplankton and i am currently drip acclimating it with lights off. Any help appreciated. Thanks

Sorry can't help.... but had too say that is gorgeous!

 

[r33fertank]

Haha, thats ok, i found alot of info on them but just wanted to get some opinions. This one is not mine by the way, this is a googled one but mine is similiar. I cant get a pic just yet cause its supposed to acclimate without light.

 

[sbash]

Amazing! I want one...

Looks like a bunch of worms (feather dustsers, small coco variants, etc). Phyto and zooplankton floating in your tank should be good enough. How mature is your tank?

 

[r33fertank]

Amazing! I want one...

Looks like a bunch of worms (feather dustsers, small coco variants, etc). Phyto and zooplankton floating in your tank should be good enough. How mature is your tank?

Sure is, its one of the more intresting things iv seen in the hobby and yeh thats exactly what they are plus the rock actually has sps growing it and there is also little shrimp that live some of the holes occasionally coming out just enough to grab some food. Really cool. My tank is about 5 months old but was pre cycled.

 

[r33fertank]

The sps on it is supposedly called Porites Lobata and is the host of all the worms and shrimp. Most pics i can find the sps on the rock is brown but The sps on mine however is white and fluorescent.

 

[r33fertank]

So after 4 hours of acclimation i got some photos. Not quite as bright as the googled pic but awsome none the less and im sure mine will grow.

 

[ritter6788]

These are tough if not impossible to care for long term.

The coral they live in is porites which is a photosynthetic sps and the worms are non-photosynthetic which need lots of micro food. The conditions in the tank to keep the porites alive don't match the conditions to keep the worms alive. The porites needs high light, nutrients under control and the worms need food and lots of it to filter feed which can pollute the tank causing decline of the porites.

 

[sbash]

These are tough if not impossible to care for long term.

The coral they live in is porites which is a photosynthetic sps and the worms are non-photosynthetic which need lots of micro food. The conditions in the tank to keep the porites alive don't match the conditions to keep the worms alive. The porites needs high light, nutrients under control and the worms need food and lots of it to filter feed which can pollute the tank causing decline of the porites.

Do all porites have these worms?

I ask because I have an unidentified sps (it is yellow and looks a lot like a porites) in my tank and am having an hard time keeping it happy...

Sorry, I do not mean to hijack this thread...

 

[ritter6788]

Do all porites have these worms?

I ask because I have an unidentified sps (it is yellow and looks a lot like a porites) in my tank and am having an hard time keeping it happy...

Sorry, I do not mean to hijack this thread...

No they don't all have worms.

 

[ironman20725]

I really like this! Never even saw one to try and buy. Neat!

 

[taintstick]

Coolest thing about these in my opinion is if you wave your arm or hand over the water to create a cloud affect, they go in but come out quickly.

 

[ironman20725]

What does one of these cost?

 

[taintstick]

They range, ones I have seen are about baseball size, spherical shape, costing between $60-$80. Not a common coral as they can be finicky, depending where they were grown.

 

[r33fertank]

Well so far so good. All worms and shrimp seem happy. Mines a bit larger than a baseball and yes supposedly they can be hard to keep but not impossible at all. A freind has had one for over 2 years and is as healthy as ever. His is in low/med light, low flow and he adds Phytoplan and reefroids to feed it which is the approach i have taken as its worked for him but i thought there might be a few more people with different opinions. I will update after a few weeks on progress.

 

[r33fertank]

What does one of these cost?

I payed $85 australian for mine but it was on sale. Original price was $110. My lfs is pretty pricy though.

 

[taintstick]

Sounds about right on the price if just larger than a baseball. Yea they don't enjoy high light or high flow IMO. Good choice on food mix, they need smaller particle foods.
Wait is Australian money different lol

 

[r33fertank]

Lol. Im not sure how the conversion works but i was happy to pay what i got it for none the less. .

 

[taintstick]

That's all that matters! Happy happy happy!!

 

[BlennyKravitz]

Mine, with five guys in it is doing well after six months. I have it on the sand. The worms seem to like moderate flow as they are filter feeders (their mouths are on the bottom opposite the gills) I've noticed my green porites are starting to fill in again as it was almost dead when I got it. The porites need light, but don't seem to need a lot.

My worry with these are you can't dip them because worm, so be very careful about hitchhikers. This would be a good candidate for a quarantine tank I'd imagine.

I don't spot feed. I broadcast Reef chili and Reef Roids a few times a week and Marine Snow on occasion. I have a clam, so I believe they eat the same grub.