Cyphastrea questions

[bvanfish]

I have a new nem tank that I have a cave in and I want to add a cyphastrea in the cave to just encrust it.

My question is what is the best very low light cyphastrea and what color combo would look best with chicago anemones.

I have a lot of yellow red and orange so I’m thinking maybe a blue encrusting or the Mai tai cyphastrea?

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

I have a new nem tank that I have a cave in and I want to add a cyphastrea in the cave to just encrust it.

My question is what is the best very low light cyphastrea and what color combo would look best with chicago anemones.

I have a lot of yellow red and orange so I’m thinking maybe a blue encrusting or the Mai tai cyphastrea?

cyphastrea are not low light corals. May I suggest something like a Blastomoussa, favia or maybe leptastrea

 

[bvanfish]

cyphastrea are not low light corals. May I suggest something like a Blastomoussa, favia or maybe leptastrea

Can those grow in very low light conditions like a cave? I want an encruster so maybe lepto

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

Can those grow in very low light conditions like a cave? I want an encruster so maybe lepto

How low light? What is the PAR? Any photos?

 

[bvanfish]

I don’t have the PAR or a meter to check. This tank is about a week old.

I will take a pic without lights and can get some with lights on tomorrow

 

[bvanfish]

In that cave right under the nem

 

[Jeremy_d]

I don’t have the PAR or a meter to check. This tank is about a week old.

I will take a pic without lights and can get some with lights on tomorrow

You have anemones in a week old tank...?

 

[bvanfish]

You have anemones in a week old tank...?

I have added rock from a very established tank with that tank water tons of media etc. not worried about the Nems at all.

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

That is a nice setup, for a low light low maintenance coral I'd suggest Blastomoussa merletti, they are a semi-encrusting LPS that can thrive in low light

Image credit: Ed Lovell

Image credit: Emre Turak and Lyndon DeVantier​

 

[bvanfish]

That is a nice setup, for a low light low maintenance coral I'd suggest Blastomoussa merletti, they are a semi-encrusting LPS that can thrive in low light

Image credit: Ed Lovell

Image credit: Emre Turak and Lyndon DeVantier​

Appreciate that! I’m liking how it’s coming along for sure.

Ya I could try a blasto that’s not a bad idea.

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

You can get them in very striking colors as well

Image credit: Tidal Gardens​

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

Appreciate that! I’m liking how it’s coming along for sure.

Ya I could try a blasto that’s not a bad idea.

Also as a reminder there is a difference between Blastomoussa Wellsi and Blastomoussa Merletti, B. Merletti have much smaller polyps and are the ones shown above while B. Wellsi are the ones more commonly available and are the classic, large polyp blasto

 

[bvanfish]

Also as a reminder there is a difference between Blastomoussa Wellsi and Blastomoussa Merletti, B. Merletti have much smaller polyps and are the ones shown above while B. Wellsi are the ones more commonly available and are the classic, large polyp blasto

Good reminder for sure I used to have some wellsi that were nice and large and red. I will check around for some merletti and see what I can find.

I do like the idea of a tight to the rock encruster though

 

[ingchr1]

cyphastrea are not low light corals...

What is your definition of low light? How much light do they need?

 

[crabgrass]

What is your definition of low light? How much light do they need?

Mine sit on the bottom of the tank and stuggle if it’s above 50-70 par. I actually put one in half shade and it took off.

That being said, I don’t know if it would grow in a cave.

Blast is are cool too though. I have a couple and they’ve grown like crazy and very adaptable where you put them (at least in my tank), assuming they have time to acclimate. Both are some of my favorite

 

[AKReefing]

Can those grow in very low light conditions like a cave? I want an encruster so maybe lepto

I don't know of anything that would grow in a cave except sponge or sun corals (which need feeding).

 

[Seansea]

Try a meteor shower. Cheap and adapt to alot of light conditions. The top of mine is in high light but the underneath side is growing in no light. If it doesnt work your not out alot of cash.

 

[Seansea]

Blasto merlettis are good too. Blastos are glutoness eaters that will grow alot faster if you feed them

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

Blasto merlettis are good too. Blastos are glutoness eaters that will grow alot faster if you feed them

Thank you for reminding me to feed my blasto

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

What is your definition of low light? How much light do they need?

Mine sit on the bottom of the tank and stuggle if it’s above 50-70 par. I actually put one in half shade and it took off.

That being said, I don’t know if it would grow in a cave.

Blast is are cool too though. I have a couple and they’ve grown like crazy and very adaptable where you put them (at least in my tank), assuming they have time to acclimate. Both are some of my favorite

Interesting, while they probably can live in a lower-light environment the one I currently have has died back in spots that it shaded itself out. Though that could be also due to my black bug problem though the shaded polys have never opened while the top of the colony shows full extension