First Coral -- Flow Check for a Duncan

[mythesis]

Greetings, new reefer here.

LFS gave the go - ahead to try a Duncan as a first coral. Slowly increasing the lights for it, but wanted to check this flow. It seems like it would be a little aggressive for the Duncan (especially around the 50s-1m mark of the vid). But, to my very novice eye, it looks like it's doing ok and nicely extended / happy.

I have 2 MP40's in a 90 gal tank on "Reef Crest" mode @ 55% volume.

Current Params:
Salinity: 1.025
Temp: 78F
pH: 8
KH: 7.7
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: ~40-50


I installed last night, and don't really know what I'm looking for if I need to move it to another location. LFS suggested if it's pointing straight up, increase light. If it's not extending, reduce flow.

Just wanting to check that my understanding of "it looks ok" is actually ok.

 

[paragrouper]

That 50 second to 1 minute section does look to be a bit much.

Here’s a quick video of mine Video

 

[mythesis]

That 50 second to 1 minute section does look to be a bit much.

Here’s a quick video of mine Video

HAHAHA --- I was searching other forum posts and that is exactly the video that prompted me to make this one. I saw yours and thought mine was too strong if that's the goal!

Should I move it to a lower flow area or let it ride for a while given it seems to be nicely extended?

 

[paragrouper]

HAHAHA --- I was searching other forum posts and that is exactly the video that prompted me to make this one. I saw yours and thought mine was too strong if that's the goal!

Should I move it to a lower flow area or let it ride for a while given it seems to be nicely extended?

I would watch it and see how it does. I noticed that Duncan’s are quick to let you know when they’re not happy. If you decide do anything though, I would recommend slightly lower flow.

 

[mythesis]

I would watch it and see how it does. I noticed that Duncan’s are quick to let you know when they’re not happy. If you decide do anything though, I would recommend slightly lower flow.

Ok, since I'm brand new, I'm still trying to understand what "not happy" looks like.

Would you agree that the current video looks "happy"?

And if it stops extending / waving like that, then I should assume it's less happy?

 

[paragrouper]

I don’t have a picture, but mine will retract its heads/tentacles and resembles a bunch of nubs sticking up.

 

[paragrouper]

I found an example on the web. This one is “not happy”

 

[mythesis]

I don’t have a picture, but mine will retract its heads/tentacles and resembles a bunch of nubs sticking up.

ok, great, I've seen that --- I don't have my ATO yet (coming tomorrow) and poured some RODI water in earlier today. The Duncan closed up like that and then took about 30-40min to come back out.

So if I see that happening for "no reason", try a lower flow area.

But as it looks right now, it's ok and let it ride for a while?

 

[paragrouper]

ok, great, I've seen that --- I don't have my ATO yet (coming tomorrow) and poured some RODI water in earlier today. The Duncan closed up like that and then took about 30-40min to come back out.

So if I see that happening for "no reason", try a lower flow area.

But as it looks right now, it's ok and let it ride for a while?

My opinion, yeah it’s OK. No reason to fix it if it’s not broken. You’ll really know you’re good when it starts popping out new heads. Mine is about a year in the tank and started out as a single, small head. Now it has about 13

 

[bobnicaragua]

I’ve had Duncans in mixed reefs with more flow than that. As stated above it looks happy.

 

[mythesis]

Left it alone, and seems to be doing fine.

It actually seems to wave less now, even though I haven't adjusted the flow. Do Coral have "muscles" where they are more resilient against stronger flow if they're exposed to it for a time?

 

[mythesis]

How often is 'normal" for a Duncan to retract / extend? Seems like a few times a day (like 3-5), it decides to crawl into its shell, but then most of the day it's wide open and extended and "happy". Takes about 30-45 mins for it to extend back out.

Is this pretty normal? It seems normal ish to me, but I'm brand new and want to make sure I'm not overlooking a cry for help by this thing.