Brain coral (dead)

Powx · 06/26/2014, 06:07 AM

I am new to the hobby and have a unique question. Around 1989 I traveled to Jamacia and ended up bringing home a chunk of brain coral, weights about 30-40 lbs. It was already dried out when I was given it, I was 13 at the time, I know now that I shouldn't have brought it back with me, but it's here. It is the size of a 2 year olds head, looks like a brain for those who do not know, and my question is if it would potentially harm the reef tank I am setting up. It has been displayed on a shelf for 20+ years but I think it would add a definite uniqueness to my reef tank. Any issue I should be concerned with regarding this?

billdogg · 06/26/2014, 06:23 AM

rinse it well and you will be good to go. Where do you think "reef rock" comes from?

Powx · 06/26/2014, 06:33 AM

I knew where reef rock came from

Just wasn't sure if there may be any negatives associated with it.

Congrats on rotm too! Your tank looks great!

m0nkie · 06/26/2014, 11:15 AM

cool. some pictures would be great!

Powx · 06/26/2014, 11:32 AM

Just got the brain coral rinsed off, here are a couple pics!

Won't let me upload more than one per post, but one gives a good idea of it

billdogg · 06/26/2014, 11:43 AM

That will look really cool.

inetmug · 06/26/2014, 11:53 AM

maybe bleach it out first if you want that fresh new look?

Mike Ordner · 06/26/2014, 03:14 PM

Back in the early 80's I was on a college trip to Mexico and brought back a large brain coral head (can't do that now). Lot of time between now and then but still had a chunk left and it is in my DT now. Have encrusting coral growing over it now.

cloak · 06/26/2014, 03:32 PM

IMHO, I would just keep it on the shelf. Maybe bleach it before doing so though.

If you put it in your tank, eventually it's going to get covered in nuisance algae, but once that subsides coralline algae will most likely take over. Now you just have this big purple ball in your tank. I'm not sure if you were planning on attaching any corals to it, but zoanthids aside, it would look kind of weird with a bunch of different corals attached to it. You would be better off just using live rock. Remember, this is JMO.

06/26/2014, 06:07 AM	#1
Powx Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 9	Brain coral (dead) I am new to the hobby and have a unique question. Around 1989 I traveled to Jamacia and ended up bringing home a chunk of brain coral, weights about 30-40 lbs. It was already dried out when I was given it, I was 13 at the time, I know now that I shouldn't have brought it back with me, but it's here. It is the size of a 2 year olds head, looks like a brain for those who do not know, and my question is if it would potentially harm the reef tank I am setting up. It has been displayed on a shelf for 20+ years but I think it would add a definite uniqueness to my reef tank. Any issue I should be concerned with regarding this?

06/26/2014, 06:23 AM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	rinse it well and you will be good to go. Where do you think "reef rock" comes from? __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

06/26/2014, 11:15 AM	#4
m0nkie Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: LA Posts: 6,264	cool. some pictures would be great! __________________ 560gal in the making

06/26/2014, 11:43 AM	#6
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	That will look really cool. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

06/26/2014, 11:53 AM	#7
inetmug Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 693	maybe bleach it out first if you want that fresh new look? __________________ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 250G Acrylic, 40G sump, Dolphin Amp Master 4750, Predator Skimmer, BuildMyLed 20k XB, , ATO,

06/26/2014, 06:33 AM	#3
Powx Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 9	I knew where reef rock came from Just wasn't sure if there may be any negatives associated with it. Congrats on rotm too! Your tank looks great!

06/26/2014, 03:14 PM	#8
Mike Ordner Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas Posts: 415	Back in the early 80's I was on a college trip to Mexico and brought back a large brain coral head (can't do that now). Lot of time between now and then but still had a chunk left and it is in my DT now. Have encrusting coral growing over it now.

06/26/2014, 03:32 PM	#9
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	IMHO, I would just keep it on the shelf. Maybe bleach it before doing so though. If you put it in your tank, eventually it's going to get covered in nuisance algae, but once that subsides coralline algae will most likely take over. Now you just have this big purple ball in your tank. I'm not sure if you were planning on attaching any corals to it, but zoanthids aside, it would look kind of weird with a bunch of different corals attached to it. You would be better off just using live rock. Remember, this is JMO.