Its official!

[squirt_12]

It is now official that I now own a reef tank. I added my first coral today to my 3.5g. I got a green hairy mushroom from Big Als. It is really cool and I love it. it is only one single little mushroom right now but hopefully in the future it will multiply into a colony. I will get pics later as it is still closed up.

Now I have a few questions about it. I have been reading about them and they are photosynthetic but you can also target feed them right? If so, what can I feed them with?...brine shrmp? Also, all over the web the water flow has ranged from low-high. Different places say different things so I wanted to get your opinion to what it should be at. I have about medium flow right now.

Also, what do you think I should add to the tank invert wise. Like snails and crabs. Opinions?

Thanks!

[cocoa_pleco]

yep, medium-low flow. i target feed mine brine shrimp and phytoplankton

i would add 2-3 hermit crabs, 2 turbo snails, and maybe a small shrimp

[TowBoater]

Congrats on making it into the world of Pico Reefs! Too bad I ain't there but I wish I was! Ok, medium flow sounds fine. I would target feed it about twice a week if you want it to grow good. Mine gets a variety of mysis or brine or cyclopeze. I put these in a small glass bowl and melt them and use a turkey baster to squirt it directly at the mouth of it. I would add about 3 Astrea or Nerite snails to the tank and like 2 scarlet red hermits. You may be able to get away with a porcelain crab also in there.

[squirt_12]

yep, medium-low flow. i target feed mine brine shrimp and phytoplankton

i would add 2-3 hermit crabs, 2 turbo snails, and maybe a small shrimp
Ok thanks. I am going to place an order for some inverts soon so I am figuring out what all to get.
For the brine shrimp...should it be BBS while it is still small, which mine is right now, and larger brine shrimp when it gets bigger?

[squirt_12]

Congrats on making it into the world of Pico Reefs! Too bad I ain't there but I wish I was! Ok, medium flow sounds fine. I would target feed it about twice a week if you want it to grow good. Mine gets a variety of mysis or brine or cyclopeze. I put these in a small glass bowl and melt them and use a turkey baster to squirt it directly at the mouth of it. I would add about 3 Astrea or Nerite snails to the tank and like 2 scarlet red hermits. You may be able to get away with a porcelain crab also in there.
Thanks Kuli. It feels good to FINALLY be in the world of keeping coral. I am already addicted...haha. Well I will talk to my LFS about getting in some mysis shrimp and cyclopeze. They have freeze dried mysis shrimp so I think they should be able to get frozen.
Sounds good with the inverts. I will look into a bunch and see what all my LFS can order and then make my decision.
Thanks.

[TowBoater]

I would feed frozen. Easier to get a hold of. Mysis has more nutritional value in s/w than brine.

[Halelorf]

yep, medium-low flow. i target feed mine brine shrimp and phytoplankton

i would add 2-3 hermit crabs, 2 turbo snails, and maybe a small shrimp

You really think 2 turbos would be needed for that small of a tank? I would think they would get too big and start knocking things around in no time.

[cocoa_pleco]

You really think 2 turbos would be needed for that small of a tank? I would think they would get too big and start knocking things around in no time.

i was thinking 1 at first, but i figured it would get lonely. The general rule is 1 hermit per gallon, and 1 turbo per 1 gallons, so i think 1-2 is alright

[TowBoater]

Here are some stocking ideas for ya...

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[squirt_12]

Thanks for all of the options Kuli! That really helped me think about what I am going to get for the tank!

[squirt_12]

After going and looking at my mushroom I have a few questions. Would my Hairy mushroom coral have a stinger of some sort? I saw this fairly long white thing, might have been a couple, come out of the centre of the mushroom for a little bit, few minutes, and then went back. What does that mean??
Also, what should my lighting schedule be like for my mushroom?? How many hours a day?

Sorry about the double post.

[TowBoater]

That was probably poop/vomit. He does sting things like you but it is more of a warm sensation than sting. He won't sting other soft corals. Depends on the amount of lighting you have but I would probably let it run 12 hrs.

[Mother Yoda]

Congratulations on this achievement!

[squirt_12]

That was probably poop/vomit. He does sting things like you but it is more of a warm sensation than sting. He won't sting other soft corals. Depends on the amount of lighting you have but I would probably let it run 12 hrs.
Ok, I wasn't sure if it could have been poop or something cause I was reading and sites said that they puke up the remains of their food and shoot it out to the surroundings. But I didn't know if they had a stinger or not. Thanks. Ok, I will run my light for 12 hours. Thanks!

[spudbuds]

Congrats squirt! Can't wait to see pics.

I would stay away from the turbo snails as well. They get huge. I can't imagine one in that small of a tank let alone two. I recommend margarita snails instead. They seem to be doing a good job for me. I prefer them over astreas too. Unfortunately, their shells may be too inviting for the hermits. You can try a couple of each and see how it goes from there. If you do get hermits, make sure to get some extra shells.

- Bill

[Tolley]

Congrats!!

PHOTO Emphasis on the photo bit! :thumb:

[unleashed]

To be honest, I wouldn't even bother feeding the mushroom. They are pretty much invincible and just light will be fine

[spudbuds]

To be honest, I wouldn't even bother feeding the mushroom. They are pretty much invincible and just light will be fine
But where's the fun in that? :sbiggrin:

I agree, you don't need to feed your mushroom, but it is fun, so do it if you want.