Red Ora Goniopora - Suggestions on flow, lighting, feeding, parameters?

[Doostur]

Hi All

Been searching the forums and and opinions seem to be all over the place. Hoping for some insight here. I'll try to get updated pictures of my tank later this evening... this is the only picture I have to show placement.

Picked up a nice Red Ora Goniopora from my local fish store Friday night. As of Sunday evening it had not fully extended. It showed signs of it beginning to open very slightly but thats about it. At my local store, they were all fully extended and healthy. I have heard people saying it can take a week for them to open up. Some say move it around until its happy. Others day wait before moving since they hate being move around. I had it in a medium flow location with medium/medium low lighting. I just moved it to a medium/medium low flow spot, and now a solid medium lighting.

Currently have Torch, Hammer, and Elegance coral which are fully extended and doing very well. They all have been fully since putting them in my tank, and began to open up after 1-2 hours of being in tank.

Last checked paramters:

SG: 1.024
Phosphates: Under .25
Nitrate: 0
PH: 8.3- 8.4
Temp: 80

- 45g (36 x 13 x 24)
- Reef Breeders Photon V2 hung using brackets in medium position. Using their day simulation settings @ 30% power for all channels.

 

[Doostur]

 

[wkscott]

Unlike most goniopora, the ORA red goniopora likes a medium flow and medium light. It should be fed several times per week. I use Goniopower. Apparently it is more photosynthetic than other goniopora. All goniopora like higher nitrates and phosphate levels than you have, so make sure to feed it

Mine is about a year old and about double its original size. Because of a higher light requirements, I have mine on the rocks. This is supposedly the easiest goniopora to keep alive long term, but still needs attention.

View attachment 20170410_165338.jpg

 

[Midrats]

Mine likes to be on the bottom in moderately strong flow and light. I used to feed it more when I first got it but now not so much. It's growing like a weed. ORA grows them under natural sunlight so they can take some rays.

 

[Doostur]

When you guys first got your goni, how long before it opened up? Did you have to experiment with placement? When did you first feed? I have some Aquavitro Reef Fuel...

Debating on buying some Goniopower.

 

[wkscott]

Mine opened within an hour. I have never moved it as I had a spot in mind before I purchased it.
Started to feed it the second day. Shot a little Aquavitro Fuel over it to stimulate its appetite and after 5 minutes or so, fed it Goniopower.

 

[Midrats]

Mine opened pretty quickly too. I had an alkalinity spike a while back and it showed its dissatisfaction by staying closed for a couple of weeks. It came back strong so don't give up hope. I throw some Goniopower or Zoplan at it when I feel like it. I also spritz a little LRS Nano Reef Frenzy in its direction with a pipette when I feed the fish. It seems to enjoy when I blast my sand bed with the baster. I've always had it on the bottom.

 

[Doostur]

Well dang, im not sure what I'm doing wrong. I mean my other corals are doing so well.

 

[Midrats]

Just leave it be and I think your patience will be rewarded.

 

[Michael Montgomery]

Patience..... I dont have much either. LOL BUT, mine pop up once in a while to trick me into thinking they might actually shoot up...Nope. they just like messin' with me too. Little turds.... Yet, I feed them a little Roids every two/three days... I'll come home and I see 1/2" extension, then turn around and they're hidden again.

Playing games with me!!

 

[Doostur]

I have no problem waiting it out. Just want to make sure there wasn't anything I could do in the mean time.

 

[Midrats]

It's a pricey frag so I feel you.

 

[Doostur]

Whats crazy is, all my other corals are happy as can be. I purchased my elegance coral at the same time. Placed in medium/medium high flow, and medium lighting and I dont think it can possibly be more extended! Looks gorgeous. I'm just thinking I have a cranky Goni.

 

[Sabellafella]

Unlike most goniopora, the ORA red goniopora likes a medium flow and medium light. It should be fed several times per week. I use Goniopower. Apparently it is more photosynthetic than other goniopora. All goniopora like higher nitrates and phosphate levels than you have, so make sure to feed it

Mine is about a year old and about double its original size. Because of a higher light requirements, I have mine on the rocks. This is supposedly the easiest goniopora to keep alive long term, but still needs attention.

View attachment 20170410_165338.jpg

Couldnt agree more!

 

[Doostur]

Update:

Look who decided to stop being so stubborn. I plan to pick up some Two Little Fishies Goniopower tomorrow and begin dosing Aquavitro Reef Fuel. Will report back on progress.

 

[Doostur]

Also any experience with Goniopower vs Reed Roids?

 

[Midrats]

They both work. Julian Sprung has inspired me enough that I'd rather give him my money over sending it to Canada.

 

[Doostur]

I snagged some Reef Roids on amazon (Prime). Will be here Saturday I'll update over the next week or two. Thanks

 

[Devaji]

nice! glad it opened up for you. I will be fallowing your progress, as this is a coral I have been thinking about for some time.

 

[Doostur]

Update #2

Our goni has been doing great. Spot feeding reef roids on Saturday, and running Aquavitro Reef Fuel in the middle of the week. Seem to alternate her extensions every few hours. Rarely fully open though.