I just realized my reef is 44 years old this month.

[Paul B]

all of my gorgonians are photosynthetic. Non Photosynthetic are very hard to take care of long term and I like my stuff to live forever.

 

[jason2459]

Still my favorite tank out there. I'm starting to get into some gorgonians myself. Any you suggest as being easier to keep over any other. Or just any photosynthetic kind will be just as good?

 

[Paul B]

Yes that is easy. The thicker, brown ones are the easiest to take care of by far. This one is an encrusting gorgonian and is years old and grows fast with no care.


This one to the right is the easiest to care for and I have some probably 15 or more years old. Very hard to kill.

The one to the left is a "slimmer" gorg and I just seen them growing like weeds all over the Dominican Republic. I fraged them all over the place and the ones that fell to the bottom are still growing.



The large one on the right is a slimmer and I had to trim it because it grew out of the water.


Stay away from any color besides brown, no yellow, blue, red etc. Also very skinny gorgonians are much more difficult.

 

[jason2459]

Thanks. I've got a thick fluffy one that's a light brownish color I love.

I ran into this article too suggesting some not so hard to keep gorgonians. They recommend staying away from red ones too.

http://www.qualitymarine.com/News/Species-Spotlight/The-(Not-So)-Hard-to-Keep-Gorgonian-(09/03/13)

 

[Paul B]

That thin purple gorgonian pictured is an exception as I have a piece of that for a few years so far. But generally the browns are easier.

 

[sundog101]

Is the red one in the 2nd picture a type of sponge?

 

[Paul B]

Yes all the red stuff is sponge

 

[redsea01]

Yes that is easy. The thicker, brown ones are the easiest to take care of by far. This one is an encrusting gorgonian and is years old and grows fast with no care.


This one to the right is the easiest to care for and I have some probably 15 or more years old. Very hard to kill.

The one to the left is a "slimmer" gorg and I just seen them growing like weeds all over the Dominican Republic. I fraged them all over the place and the ones that fell to the bottom are still growing.



The large one on the right is a slimmer and I had to trim it because it grew out of the water.


Stay away from any color besides brown, no yellow, blue, red etc. Also very skinny gorgonians are much more difficult.

Absolutely gorgeous, Paul. I'm loving the Anthias! That's a male Lyretail, right?

 

[Paul B]

I think it is a Male Lyretail . I like the queen anthias better because it is much harder to care for.

 

[redsea01]

I think it is a Male Lyretail . I like the queen anthias better because it is much harder to care for.

Stunning as well!

 

[Paul B]

But my absolute favorite is my clingfish. His colors just pop out at you.

 

[Paul B]

I am not sure why I have two tank threads on here, but here is the other one. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/tank-birthday-40-years.55423/

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Closing this thread to keep the whole conversation in one place (per the OP's request). Please continue the discussion of this awesome tank (and all the other things @Paul B loves to talk about) here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/tank-birthday-40-years.55423/