Torch corals

[stix]

I'm fairly new to marine fishkeeping and am looking at having soft corals and leathers&mushrooms at some point. The torch coral has caught my eye,is this a relatively easy coral or are there any others any1 would recommend to a "newbie". Same goes for mushromms and leathers if any experts have suggestions then i'd be grateful to hear them.

[Midland-marine]

Hi there

The Mushies and leather corals are all very good starting points and after an initial settling down period will be quite happy and grow well given reasonable lighting (tubes) the muchies will spread well too as they are even less demanding of light.

I would stay away from a torch at the moment for a couple of reasons the main one of which is that they are very agressive and will sting (often to death) anything within tentacle reach and with a good specimen that can be up to 6" away!
The other reason is that they can be killed by hermit crabs walking on them as the polyp is quite delicate and can be ruptured by the sharp claws, this can lead to an infection called brown jelly and will kill the coral.
I know why you are attracted to them though as they are stunning lookers.

Regards

[stix]

Thanks for the reply;i'm using arcadia halide with 2x blues also in the fitting? will steer clear of torch coral.Which leather would you recommend for my lighting,would prefer 1 that grows fast as my tank looking empty was thinking about mushroom leather?? any ideas on what coral if torch is a no no???

[Midland-marine]

Hi there

With a halide ANY softie will grow fast and fill up space pretty quickly

Have a look around the members tanks on here and see what catches your eye then just ask based on that, there are so so many to choose from that recomendation is not easy but any of the leather's make a good display, the toadstools (sarcophyton) get big and are a good place to start as do the pussey and colt corals, the cabbage coral (sinularia dura) is nice and grows well and is a flatter more plating type form.
The best way though is to have a look around and see what takes your fancy.
After my move in to my upgrade next weekend (fingers crossed) i may well have a cabbage that i can let you have for just the postage if you are interested.

Regards

[Chew]

I've a fairly large colt coral and a gold polyp toadstool leather which I need to find a good home for. Yours for a ReefSafe price if you are prepared to come collect them and when your tank is ready.