If I only had a brain

**smaug** · 11-20-2011, 02:55 AM

I am seeing some lovely brain corals that tickle my fancy lately.My tank is lit with a 6 bulb t5ho 36" fixture sporting 230 watts of 10k and actinics. I have no skimmer but run a xp3 packed full of chemical and carbon filtration.I have a low to med flow tank with zoas,mushrooms and clove polyps.I have a med fish load with all reef safe fish. I do have a rather large cuc consisting of blue leg hermits,ceriths,emerald and red leg crabs as well as 2 boisterous large hermits that I cannot bare to give up.I want one more big coral or I want a clam for a centerpiece.My wife wants the clam,I really dont want to have to deal with the water perfection needed for one. To my eye,a big brain coral looks just as eye catching and possibly less involved then a clam.How about some suggestions for ole newbie smaug on some nice brains to finish things up with.My stable params are as follows.
sal 1.025
ph 8.0
mg 1400
ca 400
phos 0 [elos and api kits]
nitrate less then 1
dkh 12 to 13
Suggestions as to what type of non green brain would work well for me. I really do not want to get a skimmer any time soon so keep that in mind.

**Cliff** · 11-20-2011, 03:00 AM

I don't see a problem with getting any type of brain with your parameters. IMO, they are hardy. With weekly spot feedings my do really well. I've had good luck with the Trachyphyllia Brain Corals.

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**smaug** · 11-20-2011, 03:03 AM

I like! One of the ones I was looking at for sure

How about my bad case of crabs I have? will they cause issues with corals such as these?

**Ellen4God** · 11-20-2011, 03:11 AM

I was wondering what you did to make your doubt your wisdom!! :)

I know nothing about brains, but I like the one you posted a picture of!!! Very nice!

**Cliff** · 11-20-2011, 03:15 AM

There is a chance the crabs will crawl over the brain in search of of food as it is easier than crawling around them. This can stress out the brain. I had to get rid of my emerald crabs for that reason but I know two others that successfully keep brains with both emerald and hermit crabs both and have no problems what so ever.

I think it would be a minimal risk, but still a risk just the same.

It would be worth a try IMO

**smaug** · 11-20-2011, 03:18 AM

I do regret stocking so many crabs but they add so much to the tank,especially the big hermits.I do believe I will go brain shopping someday soon.

**labnjab** · 11-20-2011, 03:36 AM

The crabs should do good with the brain. Ours crawl on ours and so do our large starfish and coral banded shrimp from time to time and its never seemed to bother it.

We've had our open brain since 2008 and its doing great, but I have to say I don't think its grown more then half an inch since then. They will tolerate just about any lighting though. It started under PC, then to HOT5. Then 2x250 watt metal halide in our 75 gallon and even half a year under a 250 watt halide in our 20 long frag tank (it did start to loose a little color after 6 months under the halides) and now its under our High Output Leds and looks as colorful as ever.

**ILuvMyGoldBarb** · 11-20-2011, 01:14 PM

I love Brain corals. They are a great addition to a tank. If my light was better on my 210, I'd have one for sure. Once I upgrade I likely will, but for your tank, you have plenty of light and all the right conditions for a Trach. or a Lobo. Great choice for a tank addition.