Wilsoni Coral Care (avoiding lighting overexposure)

[brawthy]

Hey All,

I just swapped some torch heads for an Australian Wilsoni coral that I've been eyeing for a bit at my LFS. Currently, It's under an overhang out of direct lightning per recommendation from my LFS. I have two Hydra 52 HD suspended ~12 in over the water line on a reefer 425xl running the saxby setting (- 5 percent of blues at each respective peak). I'm afraid of overexposure-as I hear this is the main culprit in losing these animals. Does anyone have any tips / insights into keeping these long term?

Current tank parameters:
15 ppm nitrate
440 CA
9.0 DKH
.01? Phosphate (Trying to Eye the salifert color chart is hard sometimes)

Feeding Schedule:
2x daily Frozen LRS Food broadcasted for fish
1x daily pellet/flake food for fish
Amino/Reefroid/lps pellets 2x week, target fed with baster.

Thank you!

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Bumping up and following! I love these, but I've never had good luck with them. @AquaSD will probably have some good care tips (they get a lot of these in), and I'll tag the #reefsquad as well for help!

 

[AquaSD]

Hey All,

I just swapped some torch heads for an Australian Wilsoni coral that I've been eyeing for a bit at my LFS. Currently, It's under an overhang out of direct lightning per recommendation from my LFS. I have two Hydra 52 HD suspended ~12 in over the water line on a reefer 425xl running the saxby setting (- 5 percent of blues at each respective peak). I'm afraid of overexposure-as I hear this is the main culprit in losing these animals. Does anyone have any tips / insights into keeping these long term?

Current tank parameters:
15 ppm nitrate
440 CA
9.0 DKH
.01? Phosphate (Trying to Eye the salifert color chart is hard sometimes)

Feeding Schedule:
2x daily Frozen LRS Food broadcasted for fish
1x daily pellet/flake food for fish
Amino/Reefroid/lps pellets 2x week, target fed with baster.

Thank you!

How long have the LFS had the wilsoni for? thanks!

 

[brawthy]

Hey there @AquaSD! Thanks for the reply!

The specimen was in their system for a few months! It had full color and no signs of tissue recession-all in all an amazing job with their care (they are true professionals :D). I was able to get some feedback, but I was so excited I didn't get all my questions out!

I can attach some pictures of the overhang, it's under, as well as my hydra 52 settings if that will help :) (Saxby settings off ai's webpage, with the peaks reduced by 5 percent as I have two over the 425xl).

Thus far it is inflated and responds to food when it's dropped in the tank during fish + coral feedings. I don't see anything much more than some mucus production which is probably due to being new in the tank (I've also fed it some aminos and reef roids directly since introduction-which might also contribute here ).

Thank you again!

 

[rogersb]

I've read they like cooler water. Maybe lower 70's, but not sure, I've only heard they have low success rates so I've stayed away from them.

 

[AquaSD]

Hey there @AquaSD! Thanks for the reply!

The specimen was in their system for a few months! It had full color and no signs of tissue recession-all in all an amazing job with their care (they are true professionals :D). I was able to get some feedback, but I was so excited I didn't get all my questions out!

I can attach some pictures of the overhang, it's under, as well as my hydra 52 settings if that will help :) (Saxby settings off ai's webpage, with the peaks reduced by 5 percent as I have two over the 425xl).

Thus far it is inflated and responds to food when it's dropped in the tank during fish + coral feedings. I don't see anything much more than some mucus production which is probably due to being new in the tank (I've also fed it some aminos and reef roids directly since introduction-which might also contribute here ).

Thank you again!

Sounds great, yes, less light and more food will definitely help. The wilsonis do come out of very cold water, and usually the reason why they don't do well is because of the initial temp shock. If the suppliers overseas tanked them a bit, and let them adjust/acclimate to warmer water, their chances of keeping the colors are increased. If your LFS had it for a few months with no color shift, then I think it should be safe!

 

[brawthy]

Thank you so much for your reply!

I'll be sure to keep an eye on it and give updates :D.

 

[DJ H]

If it turns white just let it be and eventually it will get its color back.

 

[brawthy]

I guess the only thing I'm really concerned about it now is the temp shock :)

My tank is kept at 78 and my brain corals, gonis, and aussie/indo torches are pretty happy :)

 

[ReefAtlas]

I have two wilsonis purchased from AquaSD about 10 months ago. Indirect flow, lower light for sure. About 75-100 par max for mine. At first I was worried about them and they did start shrinking some. Slight tissue receding around the edges. The trick that turned them around for me was target feeding them religiously 3 times a week, (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) early AM before lights come on. The food they responded to is reef-roids, mixed sort of thick. They are both growing and colored up nicely. They are in an SPS dominate tank on the far left side under the gyre, the rock work blocks the direct lighting. Very interesting corals with amazing coloration potential. I keep my tank at 78 degrees and believe the temperature was not my original problem. My observation - lack of direct fed, quality, small particle food is quickly an issue. Mine do not eat LPS food the way acans do. They seem to only eat smaller particle food.

Tank:
2+ year old Red Sea 625, 4x Hydra 52HD AB+, about 600 par at 6" deep acro tips level.
NO3 and PO4 = 6 and 0.08 ppm (Red Sea NO3 and Hanna ULR converted)
Usually like both a little lower at 3 and 0.04
Alk = 7.8 to 8.0
Ca = 430
Mg = 1350

 

[brawthy]

I have two wilsonis purchased from AquaSD about 10 months ago. Indirect flow, lower light for sure. About 75-100 par max for mine. At first I was worried about them and they did start shrinking some. Slight tissue receding around the edges. The trick that turned them around for me was target feeding them religiously 3 times a week, (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) early AM before lights come on. The food they responded to is reef-roids, mixed sort of thick. They are both growing and colored up nicely. They are in an SPS dominate tank on the far left side under the gyre, the rock work blocks the direct lighting. Very interesting corals with amazing coloration potential. I keep my tank at 78 degrees and believe the temperature was not my original problem. My observation - lack of direct fed, quality, small particle food is quickly an issue. Mine do not eat LPS food the way acans do. They seem to only eat smaller particle food.

Tank:
2+ year old Red Sea 625, 4x Hydra 52HD AB+, about 600 par at 6" deep acro tips level.
NO3 and PO4 = 6 and 0.08 ppm (Red Sea NO3 and Hanna ULR converted)
Usually like both a little lower at 3 and 0.04
Alk = 7.8 to 8.0
Ca = 430
Mg = 1350

Thank you for nice write up!

I usually feed mine towards the end of the photo period. But I’ll give an early morning feeding a try a few times a week (i’ll just Do multiple smaller feedings instead of two larger feedings).

 

[gotmesalty77]

So I've found a wilsoni that is white Completely but no tissue ression at all. It was pink and green they have had it for a few months at LFS and I am debating buying it. Since there is no tissue loss I did feel pretty good about actually buying it but I understand that keeping them long-term has been difficult glad I found this thread cuz I think I'm going to go back and get it cuz the Price Is Right

 

[ReefAtlas]

I am a firm believer in reef roids for wilsonis. Flow off, target feed the slurry and give it 5 to 10 minutes before turning the flow back on. I do this 1/2 hour before the lights start to come up twice a week. three times a week would be better. Let us know how you make out. Good luck with it. It should start to regain color in a few weeks with better inflation and growth should start as the color comes back. It is already stressed so be careful with parameter swings moving from your LFS to your quarantine tank.

 

[gotmesalty77]

I am a firm believer in reef roids for wilsonis. Flow off, target feed the slurry and give it 5 to 10 minutes before turning the flow back on. I do this 1/2 hour before the lights start to come up twice a week. three times a week would be better. Let us know how you make out. Good luck with it. It should start to regain color in a few weeks with better inflation and growth should start as the color comes back. It is already stressed so be careful with parameter swings moving from your LFS to your quarantine tank.

I am nervous as I've never attempted such a feat but I think the outcome will be much worth it. I overall I think we should should leave them where they belong though. The struggle

 

[gotmesalty77]

Ok so I pulled the trigger and am now going to. Try and bring him back here is my new inhabitant

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Ok so I pulled the trigger and am now going to. Try and bring him back here is my new inhabitant

Best of luck. Keep us posted

 

[jp_75]

one of my favorite corals! tried 3 times... never had luck! low light, shade, daily feeding....
good luck

 

[Magellan]

@living_tribunal how is Wilson doing?

 

[living_tribunal]

@living_tribunal how is Wilson doing?

stable, I have been testing different light presets and intensities to keep him happy full day. He’s receiving scattered light from the cove I made for him but still gets angry during peak hours.

A bit stressful :/

Aside from ensuring you deliver your wilsoni a ton of nutrition, namely aminos and carbs, the sure bet to have them color up is shade. Treat them like a blasto with a voracious appetite.

 

[Magellan]

Hopefully he will acclimate over time, seems like the constant feeding is a really important aspect and you definitely have that down!