Would you trade ?

[btkrausen]

Just wondering what kind of growth you guys are getting out of favias? I have two of them, and they've barely done anything at all in my tank in 6+ months, yet my SPS is growing nice and fast. Anything special you do to grow them? Do they need lower light?

 

[bulkhead]

Do they need lower light?

Yes, they require lower light. They can be acclimated to medium light over time.

As for growth. I have a couple I see little growth on and I have one that is growing very nicely. Of course the one that is growing nicely is all green. A very nice piece, but not a multi-color like the dragon soul.

 

[bulkhead]

References - Favia Corals

[FONT=Verdana, Arial]Favia species if often found at depth of 25 to 30 feet and is therefore not accustomed to high intensity lighting but, rather, to lots of blue. When first placing such a coral in your tank it is prudent to shield it somewhat from too strong lighting (this is especially the case if you are using metal halide lights or several VHO type bulbs). Once the coral acclimates though, it can gradually be exposed to more lighting. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial]The amount of pigmentation is usually a give-away in this respect. Favia with lots of pigments are protecting themselves from too much UV lighting. Specimens with lots of green pigmentation will do very well under metal halides even when they are close to the surface where intensity is highest. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial]Among the different types you will find some that have hardly any pigmentation and are therefore used to higher amounts of lighting. Still, it is a good practice to increase the amount of light exposure such a coral receives gradually. Suddenly exposing them to a type and intensity of of light that a coral is not used to, can lead to problems. [/FONT]

 

[MoneyPit]

Very good info, thanks.

 

[btkrausen]

Yes, they require lower light. They can be acclimated to medium light over time.

As for growth. I have a couple I see little growth on and I have one that is growing very nicely. Of course the one that is growing nicely is all green. A very nice piece, but not a multi-color like the dragon soul.

Thanks, probably why mine doesn't' grow well :) I need to move to somewhere shaded to see what it does. Great info.