explanation

[Amy]

When someone says that these corals like a dirtier tank what exactly do they mean?

 

Less water changes?

[Nano sapiens]

Slightly elevated nutrient levels. Roughly, NO3 (nitrate) = ~5 ppm, PO4 (inorganic phosphate) = ~0.03 ppm.

 

Many nano tanks already have these 'dirtier' conditions, however, for those that don't there are many ways to achieve this such as reduced water changes, less substrate cleaning, more feeding, etc.

[CronicReefer]

To me "dirty" water means that there is food particles free floating in the water for corals to eat, not elevated nitrates and phosphates. Feeding multiple times throughout the day in small amounts helps keep free floating food available. I believe phosphates should always be undetectable (NSW is 0.005ppm phosphate) and it is good practice to keep nitrates under 10 at all times.

[Nano sapiens]

Ask different people, get different answers

[Amy]

Thanks for the clarification

 

Do you believe either of you that Ricordeas need to have this type of water?

 

I don't want to purposely feed extra to achieve this but can skip the odd water change instead.

 

My tank is small 3 gallons, trying to achieve my Florida Ric Garden, I have a coupld zoas, 1 rhodactis and 2 sea fans that are doing so very well.

 

I am planning on buying more Rics in a few weeks as I only have one really beautiful Ric and 3 ailing trying to save Rics one looks promising the other two are questionable. Everything in the tank except these 3 which I have had for a long time are doing well so I know there is no issue with the tank but trying to save ailing Rics is a battle at best.

[CronicReefer]

I target feed all my corals LRS Reef Frenzy (I feed daily to fish as well) once a week before I do my water change. The ricordea florida don't always respond as aggressively to food as my yumas but I have yet to have any shrooms melt on me except my rhodactis that was stung to hell by my yuma. In a small tank you may want to try target feeding them once-twice a week tiny amounts so your water can stay good quality. I don't think there is any reason to sacrifice water quality to have this "dirty" water. Corals want meaty food just like any other animal and nitrates and phosphates are food for algae not coral.

[Amy]

Thanks CronicReefer, I have to agree with you in regards to water quality. I offer once a week when I feed the sea fans whom don't really need it they all get some cyclopeeze and I do also offer the Rics some brineshrimp and at times they take it and eat it.

 

Yes those Rhodactis do not like Yumas, my ailing Yuma was pretty close to the Rhodactis and I seen it was curled up a bit so I moved them to opposite sides

[Nano sapiens]

All 'Shrooms obtain a good amount of nutrition directly from the water column, some more so than others. They are often found in large aggregations in higher nutrient areas in nature, but also in smaller groups on the reef proper.

 

In my relatively clean system, Rics multiply much more quickly than Rhodactis. If I were to increase nutrients I have little doubt that the Rhodactis would grow and repoduce faster.

[Amy]

Here are a few pics of my sea fans and the nice big ric and the not so nice little rics. I had to frag the sea fan as with the tank only being 81/2" tall it was to tall for it, they are so easy to frag they pout for 2 days then are fully open. Just love these guys.