Coral Placement Guidelines help

[Cstar_BC]

I know this is super hard as so many corals have varying needs but I am not happy with my aquascape so I’m going to work backwards and envision what corals I want and then where the rock should go .

If someone could point me to a good help source this is kinda what I’m looking for
- also this is just placement not regarding lighting or flow

Assuming a standard 24” high tank also just talking General like acropora should go here ,torches here etc

low(<7”)	med (7-14”)	high(>14”)	rock or sand	crazy growth Needs own Island

thank you !

 

[mike550]

@Cstar_BC great question! As a newbie I struggle with this all the time. And then I have to epoxy the frag down without knowing if it’s in the right place.

 

[Fishy212]

There are plenty of websites that provide a lot of information about lighting , placement , feeding. To be honest, there are way too many variables across the board for there to be a perfect medium.

This hobby as you know is trial and error. You have to do your research and just try. Just remember you can always move them again to ensure your corals are happy and not at war with each other.

I have my torch Just above my sand bed in medium lighting, somewhat over an overhang and it’s been doing fantastic. There are important acclimation process with corals to ensure the long term health and colors. Too much light right away may damage them beyond repair, may bleach them or stunt their growth.

Planning and research is half the fun in reefing, still learning new stuff everyday. I am sure someone here will be happy to give you more information. happy reefing

 

[ahiggins]

Your best bet would be to search each species that you want to keep. Like anytime I want a new coral, I evaluate and search “torch light requirements” “torch water flow gph” or something to that effect. I’ll read at least 5-6 different forums and sales sites to get a composite picture of best case and what people actually do.
And then create a spreadsheet to share with us haha

 

[jd371]

Good move, that's what I should have done. If I could, I'd rescape and put some corals elsewhere.

 

[El_Guapo13]

Your best bet would be to search each species that you want to keep. Like anytime I want a new coral, I evaluate and search “torch light requirements” “torch water flow gph” or something to that effect. I’ll read at least 5-6 different forums and sales sites to get a composite picture of best case and what people actually do.
And then create a spreadsheet to share with us haha

+1 on this. It is best to look up each species for species specific requirements.

That said, as with most things, there can and probably will be exceptions to the general rules.

For instance, mushroom corals are generally said to be best kept in low flow, low light, somewhere nearer to the bottom of the tank. My Indigo Mushroom? Nope. He hated being in a lower light and low flow area in the bottom half of my tank. So I moved him up top at the highest point of my rockwork. He is about 3 inches across in diameter now, and rcently became a ....papa?..mama??... point is I have baby Indigo Mushroom growing now. And honestly, it looks lkke I might have to do the same with another of my mushrooms soon, as my Interstellar is acting similarly to the Indigo did before I moved it.

But if you ever do have problems with a coral that doesn't seem to be happy despite you following the common care requirements reported for that species of coral, then just post about it here on R2R and I am sure someone will be able to help.

 

[mta_morrow]

For excellent descriptions, needs, and placement, I would highly recommend Tidal Gardens website. Than is a master and has produced excellent videos and write up for virtually every coral out there. You will gain a lot of knowledge and insight.

 

[El_Guapo13]

For excellent descriptions, needs, and placement, I would highly recommend Tidal Gardens website. Than is a master and has produced excellent videos and write up for virtually every coral out there. You will gain a lot of knowledge and insight.

Than also has the perfect voice for some good ASMR.

 

[BeejReef]

Agreed with ^^
Tidal Gardens is a great resource. Unless you're truly, truly gifted at aquascaping and can produce a design that will give predictable light and flow, you really have to just do your best and see what you end up with. Lights are so powerful now that peeps are growing sps out of the sand on 30" tanks. You may well find yourself looking for less light than more. Also can be big swings in intensity near the glass, depending on your light.

Only systematic approach I can think of would be to set up your lights and map your par levels throughout the tank with a par meter. Then you would have a baseline to create a scape that would favor your desired levels.

 

[45ZoaGarden]

It really depends on species of that specific coral. For instance, you say acro’s but I’ve seen acro’s that require 400 par while others are happy with 200 par. Setting in the tank also depends on your lighting, water clarity , and par measurements. I have all my euphyllia except a Duncan higher in the tank because they tend to color up better under higher par levels. There’s a difference between surviving and thriving. You can barely survive on a few breadcrumbs and be a bag of bones but thrive on meat and veggies every day. Sure my torches etc will survive on the sand but they will be “surviving” and not puffed up like they would be under higher lighting. You have to know your tank and your PARTICULAR coral. Online sources don’t know as much about your tank as you. Just because they say “halfway up” doesn’t necessarily mean halfway up. Some people have a very bright halfway up, some people have a very dark halfway up. Study your tank, take notes, then make decisions. Don’t let people tell you where YOUR corals are happy