deflated favia?

hey everyone!

after a couple of weeks on the bottom of the tank I moved my favia up a few inches. It hasn't lost any color, but it seems kind of deflated. Its been there for 3 days or so and it doesn't look like its dying, but it doesn't look happy either. Its feeder tentacles only come out at night, and before it used to have at least a couple out during the day. should I leave it there for a couple more days or try a new spot? I moved some acan at the same time and it seems fine. Not sure if you need to know but its a 20 gallon with T5ho lighting. Its placed near a powerhead but not directly in the current and about a third up the tank.

thanks!

 

It could be a little stressed due to the move and not necessarily its location; it could be both. Perhaps give it a few more days and if it continues to look unhappy you might want to put it back where it was. My favias always did well when they were on the bottom of the tank, but moving it a few inches isn't a lot of change unless the flow was seriously altered.

I'm curious, why did you move it?

 

Agreed!All my Favia seem to do well on the SB.

 

I moved it again a few days ago. Same distance from the bottom, but in lesser flow. Its much happier in its new location. Nice and puffy again. Seems like just about all the coral I have so far is for the bottom of the tank, and the rocks look empty. Initially I was told to start at the bottom and move it up as wanted. Figured I would give it a try.

any particular reason why it should be on the sand bed, or is that just a preference?

 

They generally don't like as much light as other LPS.

 

Agreed. My beautiful lobo(s) demanded much more light than my favia(s). Interesting, however, is that my teal favia liked the very bottom whereas my Christmas favia was ok 5-6" higher.

I know you know this, but lps cannot take getting blown all over the place. Their flesh will rip right off the skeleton if the current is too strong.

 

They need good light but can't tolerate getting blasted.

I understand what you're saying about most of your corals being towards the bottom. Many softies and lps just can't be up under strong lighting like most sps (lps were always my favorite so I had the same issues). I'm not sure what your lighting is, but an absolutely beautiful lps (imho) is the fox coral. This one does like higher light and is flowery and puffy. You will fry it placing it at the top if your light is strong but it would probably thrive mid level. Their downside is they are VERY aggressive so they need room. Just another idea: croceas need high light and are beautiful so that would be a pretty addition if you like clams. You just have to give them something secure so they can attach because they will jump and/or fall if they aren't comfy and cozy.

And the obvious, have you tried any sps that can fill the top part of your tank? IDK, some people like fuzzy sticks and others don't.

Just a few ideas. 8)

 

What is your lighting??? I have xenia an jasmine polyp growing all over my rock mid to high level under a dual bulb t5ho

 

Another good idea!

 

I also prefer lps, and to be perfectly honest, I'm not sure if I'm ready for sps yet- I'm pretty new at this. So far I haven't accidentally killed anything, and i'm trying to keep it that way

I have seen fox coral and I agree it is gorgeous. I have not seen it for sale anywhere tho I like to see things in person at least once before I buy them. The difference between appearance in pics and in person is sometimes quite striking.

I already have a bit of xenia. I bought a piece that had fallen when my lfs was fragging and attached itself to some rubble as I heard it grows quite quickly (and it has). $5! I also have some jasmine on a mushroom rock I have.

I didn't realize about lps and strong current, but when I think about it it does make sense.

I too have t5ho dual bulbs.

I was also looking at some of the clams but I'm unsure if my lighting is sufficient for them. Another concern is their growth rate. Is a 20 gal too small for a clam? We would like to upgrade, but thats probably at least a year away. I think for now I'm just going to slow down a bit and do some more research

Thank you all for the great advice.