Favia Care

[ruffyruff]

Before I go out and buy one, what types of parameter is needed to take care of these? I just don't want to throw away 50$ away...

I plan to keep it in the 29G biocube... is lighting enough? water flow?

[tlo]

http://www.asira.org/familyfaviidae

[Ark]

The link gives a pretty good summary of the species and care.
The only thing I've experienced different is that favias don't like strong flow. Their polyps won't expand fully when the current is too strong (the kind of flow that sps likes).

[corpusse]

They can be pretty sensitive to lighting changes. IMO you should always start them off low and work your way up higher if you want them to keep their colour. They can bleach very easily but will recover with TLC. I have a few that barely get any light and others blasting right under the lights. Trial and error is best with slow changes.

They do like to eat despite the fact some don't look like it they can handle big meaty foods like pe mysis, however small favites you are better off feeding cyclopeeze. Another important thing to remember is if you want it to grow you should mount the rock to another rock providing a ramp for the favia to continue growing. If you're getting a big piece and like the size then by all means just place it on the sandbed, but if you want it to grow and do that it's just going to grow on the back side of the rock and not get any light flow or food.

[ruffyruff]

I got a piece today after work, I have it at the bottom of the 29G... w/ soft flow... not direct flow.. but definitly around 3-4/10.. if we consider 10 as blowing SPS's...

I fed them cyclops... not much reaction... but when i fed them juice from my mysis and brine (with some broken pieces of mysis and brine).. their mouth erected <-- sorry about the vocabulary. cant think ATM...

[ruffyruff]

Picture is HERE!!

[corpusse]

Christmas Favia, an excellent first choice.

[ruffyruff]

Thanks... I hope I dont kill it.. it has already 1 receded polp... (so i got a small discount on it)

[deeznutz]

You payed $50 for that? I could have sold you one for $20.
Always check the classifieds for great coral deals. Enjoy it though, it a nice piece

-dan

[ruffyruff]

oh of course i didnt pay 50. ahhaa

how big of a piece is yours.. i dont mind having another one.. i can put it in my 20G =)

wanna post a pic for me?

[ruffyruff]

It has receded a little more now... i have lost 3 heads now... what should I do? Its placed in an area where there is moderate flow, sitting at the bottom of the tank where there is ample lighting... feeding everyday with phyto... what should i do?

[DbleG]

Check your magnesium, calcium, alkalinity, nitrates, and pH (IMO in this order)

Then we can help.

Does not sound like food is the issue, probably the water params.

[ruffyruff]

About a month ago, i did a calcium test, around 460-480
A week ago, ALK (http://www.aquariumpros.ca/forums/glossary.php?do=viewglossary&term=41) at 8.2, i m using Tropic Marine Pro-Reef
Nitrates are at 0 (thank you chaeto)
pH (http://www.aquariumpros.ca/forums/glossary.php?do=viewglossary&term=38) hovers from 8.1-8.3

I have NEVER seen those tenticles at night.. I usually use a small baster and squirt phyto, zooplex, and some brine/mysis pieces towards it, the mouth opens up and i feed even more =)

I feed on a daily basis, and do not have any problems with ammonia, nitrites and nitrates =)

[Old Yeller Tang]

Give it lots of shade and it'll bounce back. Mine is in the shade off to the corner and the colours really pop.

[ruffyruff]

You think in direct light of a 29G is bad? Where its sitting at the bottom?

I'll give that a shot! thanks!

[ruffyruff]

it also states it needs moderate or strong flow...

I moved it into an area with less lighting more blue.. but it has less flow

[tlo]

sometimes it just takes a while for the coral to get over the stress of shipping and moving tanks and to get acclimatized. Mine didnt send out feeding tenticles for a few weeks. It also receded a bit on introduction to my tank, but with some TLC, it has bounced back and is growing well.
Try cutting a pop bottle in half and placing it over the coral and feeding it through the spout. That way the food can sit on the coral for a few hours without getting blown away in the current and stimulate a feeding response.

[ruffyruff]

that means I'll have to drink more pop?? hahahaha... BOOOOO

I have cyclops, brine, mysis, kents phyto and zooplex.. and some reef chili.. what is the best to feed these guys?

[Old Yeller Tang]

I feed my lps cyclops, brine, mysis, and krill. Don't rush to feed though. Give it a few weeks to adjust to your light. Once its settled in you can start feeding it and move it into higher a light location if you please. With time it should look like this
http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr69/Badfishto/Lps/DSCN5536.jpg

[ruffyruff]

I'll take a picture of it and where it is located in the tank... I just hope I dont kill it... its been in the tank now for about a week