Placement of Corals

[fahadahmed]

I have had a FOWLR for couple years but I now I am entering in the Reef world. I have some corals and need get blessing from ya'll of thier placements. I have 4x65w power compact lights and 2x Koralia4 on either sides of the tank.

Top layer. In order from left to center. (Koralia4 placed on left):

Hammer (4 small frags)- flow=high (5 inches from pump)
frogspawn (3 heads) - flow=high
Xenia (2 heads) - Flow = medium

Top layer. In order from right to center. (Koralia4 placed on left):

Torch (4 medium size heads) - Flow = High
Colt (Medium) - Medium
Candy Cane (11 heads) - flow = low - medium

Middle layer:

Mushrooms - Middle layer - Low flow

[reefworm]

the Euphylias might not do well in high flow areas - the long sweepers could get damaged or not come out at all, but they will like the higher intensity of the light further up. Go ahead and place them temporarily, and keep an eye on how they're doing. Move them as needed.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Yeah--my torch and frogspawn retract quite noticeably in high flow situations. Low-medium flow has been the best for them.

[fahadahmed]

So, out of all my corals that I have listed, who requires the highest flow?

[Myka]

Originally posted by fahadahmed
So, out of all my corals that I have listed, who requires the highest flow?

The Candy Cane, but not by very much. Technically, none of your corals are high flow corals. They are all fairly moderate to low flow. My Euphyllias (Torch, Hammer, Frogspawn) won't come out in high flow. The bigger the polyps the slower the flow IME.

[fahadahmed]

So, here is a chicken and egg question: I have to place them on top because of direct light (i have 4x 65W PC). But if I put them on top then they are directly in front of Koralia 4

[Myka]

Move the Koralia.

Personally, I place my corals where I want them, then I move the powerheads around to what works best for the corals. Then I'll move one or two corals who don't like my arrangement until they're all happy. Just wait until your tank gets really full, then it's like a jigsaw puzzle!!

Post some pics!!!

[fahadahmed]

Here are the pics...I have moved the stuff around.

[fambrough]

Everything looks fine. Your lighting is not very intense anyway and just fine for the coral you're keeping. It's great that you are being thoughtful about coral care. In your case, you have very hardy, forgiving species. You shouldn't have any trouble. My only suggestion (a reiteration of what Myka wrote) is that none of your corals would like to be in the direct line of a powerhead (including the candy cane!). Play around a little. You'll be able to tell if the corals aren't happy.

Best of luck.