[smarcus3]

I just recently bought a Colt Coral and was reading that I need alternating currents. Is this true? If so how can I cheaply do this?

Thanks

[jimw369]

Originally Posted by smarcus3

I just recently bought a Colt Coral and was reading that I need alternating currents. Is this true? If so how can I cheaply do this?

Thanks

Alterneting current is usually best for any coral but pretty hard to replicate in your cube. Just give it some low to moderate flow and if your water params are good it should grow like crazy. Colt is a great coral and very hardy too!

[smarcus3]

Okay I have it near the top right in the path from the power head to the filter and seems to wave back and worth all day. Is this good? Its polyps are always opened all the way and looks happy. I have had it for 3 days now.

Here is how it looks ...

[smarcus3]

There is about 4 inches from its base to the top of the water line just so ya know.

[jimw369]

Looks like its smiling to me

[ljv]

If it stays open like it is the photo, you should be good to go. Yours looks great. Colt corals are easy to keep and easy to frag as well. I had a lot of fun with mine and was able to share some frags with a friend and the pizza delivery guy (got some free food out of it).

You can create a lot of random flow in your tank using standard powerheads and your filter return. If you point two or more flow devices toward each other the water will swirl around pretty randomly. They don't need to be clsoe together either. There are a number of wave making devices out there, but experimenting with the direction and spacing of your power heads can do a pretty good job without having to spend extra $$$. As you add more corals you will be able to see the dead spots and can fiddle aroud with placement of the powerheads.

[smarcus3]

It is more pointed toward the powerheads compared to my photo. Is that okay? It looks as though it is being swept the opposite way it should but the polyps are always wide open which i assume means it happy.

[ljv]

As long as it is open and happy, you're doing great. If it closes up or starts to deflate you'll have to make some changes.

The colt coral I had got large and I split it into two colonies placed in different parts of the tank. Both did well, however they looked quite different. One was tall, thin and lighter in color like in your photos, the other was stockier with dense branches and a darker color. The flow and lighting were different in both areas which resulted in different appearance which was pretty cool.

[smarcus3]

thanks for all the help. i hope it grows big and strong

[Hosser]

Looks nice you will be amazed if you take a pic in a few months at how much bigger it gets.

[smarcus3]

i know. i cant wait.