POSITION OF BUBBLE CORAL

[david snyder]

I have recently introduced a small to medium sized bubble coral to my 29 gallon reef tank. It is currently at the top of the 2/3 mark and directly under the 32 watt PC. The coral has been in for under a week and is doing fine. I initially wanted it near the light as it had been under MH's at the store. They moved it to the side for a few days in preparation for my tank.

My questions to this final panel of RK's is this, where is the best spot in the tank for my newest addition :?: ?

 

[Anonymous]

Hi David, I recently obtained a bubble as well so am no authority, but did research them quite a bit. They seem to be able to tolerate a wide range of lighting conditions and may even appreciate dimmer conditions compared to light-loving acros & the like. It sounds like your light is minimal by reef standards but I think your approach is sound in that you have tried to avoid a sudden change in what it was used to by placing it near the light source.

FWIW, my bubble is at the bottom of my tank, about 30" from 540 watts (MH + pc actinics). So it is not getting blasted by a lot of light compared to many reefs, and after nearly a month it is doing quite well, fully expanded all day.

Good luck with your bubble, they are very nice animals and have a reputation for being hardy once acclimated.

 

[Len]

David,

With only 32 watts of light, it's best to leave it in the upper 2/3rds of the tank like you have. Bubble Corals do not take well to turbulent water (which occurs most often in the upper levels of reef aquariums), so make sure it's not being blasted. I suggest you get more lights over that 29 gallon .... 32 watts is barely sufficient for basic life support in our plankton-deprived captive aquariums.

 

[D.W.L.]

I must agree with Leonard. Keep it higher up under those lights. Mine has always loved its halide. They also like to be tilted slightly and as mentioned, have a strong dislike for anymore current, than enough to make the bubbles move.

They also grow large. Mine would easily fill a 29 gal. Some pics on my webpage.