gorgonians?

DMK · 02/14/2006, 08:05 PM

i'm thinking about getting a purple photosynthetic gogonian, maybe from dr mac's, to spice up my reef tank. it's mainly sps, w/ a few lps. who has gorgonians, and what's their requirements? any pics would be cool.

Alaskan Reefer · 02/14/2006, 08:15 PM

Tagging along, my LFS has an awesome "purple willow gorgonian" that's about 14" tall and having no gorgonians I'm curious now if it might be worth adding.

The steven liu · 02/14/2006, 08:55 PM

I think they are cool and they can really filling spaces, I don't know anything beyond that though.

hookdonreefs · 02/14/2006, 08:56 PM

I just got a purple sea blade from florida pets. Its about 8 inches tall and has about 15 branches. It is awesome its polyps are extended crazy. If you get one make sure its photosynthetic otherwise it will die. They have to be fed phyto I dose dts everyother day. They will do best in systems without aggresive filtration. I just have a fuge for filtration.

Alaskan Reefer · 02/14/2006, 11:33 PM

Oooh, then not for me -- aggressive flow and filtration. Thanks for the info!

wrassie86 · 02/15/2006, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Alaskan Reefer
Oooh, then not for me -- aggressive flow and filtration. Thanks for the info!

Then your tank will be perfect for one

Mine is dang near 7 yrs old,once i went for sps conditions a few years back it really started to thrive. the one i have loves high flow.(6 inches from a tunze) gets me some pretty good polyp extension.Other than feeding my fish and keeping detruse in suppension.ive done nothing for it.

Alaskan Reefer · 02/15/2006, 12:30 AM

Well now I'm confused, and I have Tunze 6100 envy.

The gorgonian I'm looking at is beautiful, stunning even -- looks like I need to do some more research.

DJ88© · 02/15/2006, 12:52 AM

I have two different purple gorgonians in my tank. With a fair bit of flow and a muchly oversized skimmer in it. I got one two years ago and it has grown from one small 2" stub to over a dozen branches over 6" long with branches coming off those ones. The other has grown in size in the last year by ten times.

Remember that the purples with greyish darker polyps are photosynthetic.

Light is a big factor with keeping them. Food is an added bonus.

And make sure you keep them clean of algae growths.

DMK · 02/15/2006, 04:52 AM

i think i'm gonna get 1. thanks guys.

Jon Evans · 02/15/2006, 05:46 AM

Are there any inverts or fish that harass them (other than puffers)

pperez · 02/15/2006, 10:50 AM

Just a question, would having them too close to the current source, kind of strip them of the tissue?....Also i take it that they can take very bright lights without any problems. I was thinking that the brighter the light shining on it that it would attract more algea to it. But i think the higher flow will prevent that. Is that the truth?

Thanks

wrassie86 · 02/15/2006, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pperez
Just a question, would having them too close to the current source, kind of strip them of the tissue?....Also I take it that they can take very bright lights without any problems. I was thinking that the brighter the light shining on it that it would attract more algea to it. But i think the higher flow will prevent that. Is that the truth?

Thanks

Mine spans to the top of my tank right under a 400w MH bulb
Also it likes it 6 inches from a tunze altho a regular power head might be able to strip it if to close.Gorgs just like to always be moving(swaying)Atleast thats what my purple ribbon likes.Givin those conditions I think there one of easiest to take care of.And I say that because mine is one of the first corals I ever bought,and it has been though a variety of mistakes

But still thrives to this day.

gibbswagon · 02/15/2006, 11:57 AM

thanks for the info, looks like they arent for me either

Pandora · 02/15/2006, 12:07 PM

For those considering them, might want to think about purple encrusting gorg's. They are easier to care for than the branching types, and not very needy in terms of being photosynthetic (there are also some totally nonphotosynthetic ones which are usually reds or oranges or yellows, but you have to watch on feeding them). The encrusting purple is pretty easy to care for, on the level of GSPs. I only feed DT's on rare occasions, along with my other filter feeders.

02/14/2006, 08:05 PM	#1
DMK Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: central NJ Posts: 2,494	gorgonians? i'm thinking about getting a purple photosynthetic gogonian, maybe from dr mac's, to spice up my reef tank. it's mainly sps, w/ a few lps. who has gorgonians, and what's their requirements? any pics would be cool.

02/14/2006, 08:15 PM	#2
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	Tagging along, my LFS has an awesome "purple willow gorgonian" that's about 14" tall and having no gorgonians I'm curious now if it might be worth adding. __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

02/14/2006, 11:33 PM	#5
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	Oooh, then not for me -- aggressive flow and filtration. Thanks for the info! __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

02/15/2006, 12:30 AM	#7
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	Well now I'm confused, and I have Tunze 6100 envy. The gorgonian I'm looking at is beautiful, stunning even -- looks like I need to do some more research. __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

02/15/2006, 12:52 AM	#8
DJ88© Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: BC. Canada. Posts: 14,351	I have two different purple gorgonians in my tank. With a fair bit of flow and a muchly oversized skimmer in it. I got one two years ago and it has grown from one small 2" stub to over a dozen branches over 6" long with branches coming off those ones. The other has grown in size in the last year by ten times. Remember that the purples with greyish darker polyps are photosynthetic. Light is a big factor with keeping them. Food is an added bonus. And make sure you keep them clean of algae growths. __________________ Darren Beauty fades.... Stupid is forever...... Current Tank Info: 34 Gal Solana with some lights.. and pumps that make water move. And fish...

02/14/2006, 08:55 PM	#3
The steven liu Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 567	I think they are cool and they can really filling spaces, I don't know anything beyond that though.

02/14/2006, 08:56 PM	#4
hookdonreefs Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 97	I just got a purple sea blade from florida pets. Its about 8 inches tall and has about 15 branches. It is awesome its polyps are extended crazy. If you get one make sure its photosynthetic otherwise it will die. They have to be fed phyto I dose dts everyother day. They will do best in systems without aggresive filtration. I just have a fuge for filtration.

02/15/2006, 04:52 AM	#9
DMK Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: central NJ Posts: 2,494	i think i'm gonna get 1. thanks guys.

02/15/2006, 05:46 AM	#10
Jon Evans Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Massillon, OH Posts: 297	Are there any inverts or fish that harass them (other than puffers) __________________ If you are in the stock market, look to diversify your portfolio with global equities. Warren Buffett said so. Current Tank Info: 75 gallon FOWLR tank with 20 gal sump/fuge

02/15/2006, 10:50 AM	#11
pperez Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: NYC Posts: 564	Just a question, would having them too close to the current source, kind of strip them of the tissue?....Also i take it that they can take very bright lights without any problems. I was thinking that the brighter the light shining on it that it would attract more algea to it. But i think the higher flow will prevent that. Is that the truth? Thanks

02/15/2006, 11:57 AM	#13
gibbswagon Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: ohio Posts: 177	thanks for the info, looks like they arent for me either __________________ Hail to the Redskins Current Tank Info: 55 gal, flame angel,yellowtail damsel, cinnamon clown, neon dottyback,spotted mandarin

02/15/2006, 12:07 PM	#14
Pandora Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Maryland near DC Posts: 1,706	For those considering them, might want to think about purple encrusting gorg's. They are easier to care for than the branching types, and not very needy in terms of being photosynthetic (there are also some totally nonphotosynthetic ones which are usually reds or oranges or yellows, but you have to watch on feeding them). The encrusting purple is pretty easy to care for, on the level of GSPs. I only feed DT's on rare occasions, along with my other filter feeders. __________________ Where are we going... And why am I in this handbasket? Current Tank Info: 75gal reef tank, 30 gal octopus tank, Other: 75gal planted Amazon tank