How to Keep Brain Coral Successfully in the Reef Aquairum
Posted November 6th, 2006 by Ryan
Ever seen those corals like sort of look like a Brain? Today we are going to talk about keeping Brian Coral successfully in the Reef Aquarium. Brain coral contains symbiotic algae zooxanthellae which it receives most of its nutrition from. Lighting is very important in keeping these corals, I suggest that you go at least with Metal halides or a T5 system, although I have seen a few cases in which these corals were kept with Power Compact lighting I would not recommend it. Brain corals like temperatures to be between 75-83F. I have kept Brain corals as high as 85F and they still did nicely. Salinity should be between 1.023-1.026. Alkalinity levels should be between 8-12. Ph should be between 8.1-8.4. Calcium should be between 400-450. These corals like Strontium in the water to add to their base. These corals can be fed thawed frozen mysis shrimp, generally you would do this at night when their tentacles are extended for feeding. As regards water flow they like medium flow, I have my brain coral by a powerhead which is programmed at night to get twice as strong so it can filter out phytoplankton at night. When placing brain coral, place them at the bottom of the tank, they prefer sandy substrates but they will allow crushed coral as well.
Fast Facts:
Temperature: 75-83F
Salinity:1.023-1.026
Alkalinity: 8-12
PH: 8.1-8.4
Calcium: 400-450
Flow: Medium Flow
Placement: Bottom
what does it mean if you brain coral shrinks during the day like down to its skeleton but at night it puffs up a bit like it normally would for night time feeding i dont quite understand why it is doing this? calcium i 440 salinty is 1.020 at 80F all my other coral are thriving even my elegance coral does amazing in my tank i just cant figure it out i have moved it around the tank to see its reaction to (high to low in the tank etc.) it has been nipped at by my angel fish a few times do you think this is how its heels it self maybe? i have metal halides and blue lights maybe i need to feed it more i have just been putting phytoplankton in at night time as far as feeding it, any thought?