[goldenJ]

Just picked up an enormous Gon. I know about decent light and feeding regulary but is there any other suggestions out there for maximum care? Thanks![-goldfish]

 

[Jimbob]

Hmmm... I would suggest abstinence as the most sure fire method of care -)

 

[dupont24]

Mike,

Goni's are a very funny thing, and unfortunatly I don't mean that in a good way. Some people have good luck with them but most don't. they are considered to be one of the hardest coral to keep.
The reason being is that not alot is known about them. Even guys like Bob Fenner are still asking alot of questions, and not getting any answers. Some say they die a slow death due to starvation, looking good for awhile then looking worse and worse. I learned this the hard way when I got one a few months ago. Ever since I put it in the tank it has not been fully extended. On a good note though, my piece is a branching one, and one of the branchs appeared to die. Over the last month or so I see new growth on the dead branch. And the other 3 branchs are extending more. Maybe I'll be lucky and this one will be happy.

Heres how mine is placed etc. On the sand bed propped up with a rock, (some articles I've read said don't place on the rock as they don't do well) in very lite water movement. I target feed all my corals 2 or 3 times a week with a mix of formula 1, cyclopezz, and rotifer put in the blender, once small enough add in dt's phytoplankton. Don't blend again. Turn off the tank and feed with a turkey baster. Leave the tank off for 15 min to 1/2 hour. This gives time for the stuff to stay suspended in the water for a while. The goni has a better chance of filtering food. IMO.

Hope this helps, PM me and let me now how it does. Maybe if yours does well, I can learn something to help mine more.

Robin

 

[Nowas Reef]

I heard they do best in "dirty" water....so don't clean your tank any more and you should be fine...[-bonc01]

I had one a few years ago and loved it...until one day it was just a dead coral skeleton...very depressing...

Good Luck!

 

[dupont24]

Yes, dirty water is also an option, if you can do it. One article had a guy put one in his refugium, on the sand bed, it was also getting natural light and it did well there. So who knows what really works. You need to figure out where a particular piece actually came from (nearly impossible) and if it was originally in water with alot of food,(dirty) or very little food(clean). As they are found in so many different places with such diversity in water conditions, it's near impossible to recreate the conditions it was in originally.

Robin

 

[pjr]

Go to Reef Central and do a search on thread titles with gonipora. I recall a couple of long and rich threads on what works for keeping these beautiful creatures. The threads also discussed which species seem to be the hardiest as well..

 

[hjmtv]

I have to agree with Jimbob & dupont24, goniporas are tough. I had one for about 6 months, it was full and great and then 1 day, it wasn't. Maybe stapels has some insight since he has a huge one in his tank. He also has a skeleton of a previous one so who knows??? lol All I would say is good luck.

 

[dupont24]

If you do go to reef central I would not post that you have one you are liable to be slammed pretty bad. In threads I read though, they were pretty aggressive on thier thoughts. (and some were down right mean IMO)
Robin

 

[hjmtv]

I completly agree with dupont24!! That's why I'm here and not on RC!![^]

 

[Specialk]

I agree with dupont and hjmtv.....lol

 

[Jimbob]

Ditto on the down with RC campaign... I was never the recipient of anyone's antagonistic methods and demeanor, however I simply choose to not be associated with peeps of that type. That is what I like so much about Michigan Reefers... everyone here is generally very cool. As you will note in this thread, there are several of us who would suggest shying away from the Goniopora's, however none of us have been mean, or sarcastic in our comments. Hooray for Michigan Reefers!

 

[dupont24]

I wasn't a recipient either. But because of that I decided not to participate in any discussion on RC. During the course of building my new tank I'll check out the selling forums and maybe buy something, but that will be it! I like you all much better!!!Helpful and understanding, thats what new reefers (and old) need!!! Love you guys man!!! LOL