Propagating Corals in Cool Water

[leliataylor]

I am looking to start raising species of softies will grow in 68'-72'. Still in the research stage. I was advised that some of the deep water zoas can handle 72'-74'. Some acans may also be a option. I have a large amount of effluent from my fry tanks and am researching using this for coral propagation since it is full of pods and BBS. I could warm the water, however I want to establish corals that I can ultimately place in my adult tanks. Any suggestions are welcome, along with those that say I am totally out of my mind.

[Dean]

This would be a fun project to research. I bet Will with AquaSD would be able to answer a lot of your questions and point you in the right direction as far as what types of corals would thrive in that particular set up.

[Dkray944]

I think soft corals could potentially make it if the temperture started off normal and was very slowly reduced. Maybe a degree a month.

[leliataylor]

Thanks for the information, I will contact him. A friend of mine who is president of his local reef club and also a global mod on seahorse.org gave the the idea. It has been in my bucket list for the last couple of years. Years ago I kept zoas, rics and shrooms and really enjoyed them.

My plan is to have 2 of my nursery tanks drain into two tanks I already have and then into a 47 gallon sump. This would give the coral a almost continuous supply of food. I can increase the flow if I need to by modifying the plumbing on my 60 gallon growout tank. The other alternative is to simply collect the uneaten food from the nurseries and set up a separate frag tank. Since I am going to have to quarantine anything I bring in it is not a big deal to cycle a frag tank. Still in the planning/research stage.