Keeping a Vibrant Sunkist Bounce Mushroom Coral - Beginner Reef Tank Tips

Keeping a Vibrant Sunkist Bounce Mushroom Coral - Beginner Reef Tank Tips

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Introducing the Sunkist Bounce Mushroom Coral

Last week I added an exciting new coral to my reef tank - the Sunkist Bounce Mushroom coral! This unique coral has been getting settled in nicely and is already starting to extend its tentacles to filter feed.

What is a Bounce Mushroom Coral?

Bounce Mushroom corals, also known by their scientific name of Rhodactis mushroom corals, are a popular species of coral for home saltwater aquariums. They get the name "bounce" from their appearance, which looks like a mushroom bouncing along the ocean floor.

These corals have a round, fleshy polyp that sits on top of a hard skeleton base. The polyps can extend out to twice their regular size in order to capture food particles floating by. They use stinging tentacles lined with nematocysts to sting and capture prey like brine shrimp, plankton, and very small fish.

The Sunkist Variety

The Sunkist Bounce Mushroom is a bright orange variety that adds a pop of color to reef tanks. Its tentacles extend a vivid orange-red hue that contrasts beautifully against the green and blue background of most tank setups.

This coral grows relatively slowly, making it an ideal beginner coral. However, it still requires the same water parameters as other mushroom coral species. The polyps will extend further when kept under proper lighting, especially LED or metal halides in the blue spectrum.

Caring for a Bounce Mushroom

Caring for these mushrooms is fairly straightforward for such a unique coral. Here are some key care guidelines:

  • Water Flow: Moderate water movement. Avoid directing strong powerheads directly at it.
  • Lighting: Moderate to high intensity. Mix of blue and white light.
  • Water Parameters: Stable calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, pH.
  • Aggressiveness: Peaceful toward tankmates, reproduce slowly.
  • Difficulty Level: Beginner coral for nano and small tanks.

Mushroom corals are relatively hardy, but maintaining stable water quality is still key to their health and vibrancy. Perform regular partial water changes, test calcium and alkalinity, and use RO/DI water for replacements to keep levels optimized.

Acclimating My Sunkist Bounce Mushroom

When I first introduced the coral to my tank, I slowly acclimated it to prevent shock. This acclimation process allows the coral to adjust to the water conditions in my established reef environment.

Here are the steps I followed when adding this mushroom to my tank:

  1. Turned off water flow and powerheads in the tank
  2. Dimmed the lights to reduce brightness
  3. Floated sealed bag for 15 minutes to adjust temperature
  4. Added small amounts of tank water to the bag over 30 minutes
  5. Removed coral from bag and placed on rock work
  6. Positioned near lowermoderate lighting areas

Following this acclimation process prevents stress and gives the coral time to get used to the water parameters. Now my Sunkist Bounce Mushroom is fully expanded and thriving!

Choosing a Location

I placed my new mushroom near some zoanthids and the lower section of rockwork in my tank. The moderate lighting in this area provides brighter illumination when it extends, but also shaded areas to retreat to.

Finding the right spot that matches the coral's needs takes some trial and error. Watch its expansion and retraction cycle to see if it's getting adequate or too much light. I may end up moving mine higher on the rockwork as it continues to grow and encrust on the substrate.

Caring for My New Coral

Now that first week went smoothly and my Sunkist Bounce Mushroom seems to be adjusting well. However, the real work begins in keeping it healthy for the long run.

For mushroom corals, regular supplemental feeding is important since they are passive feeders. I target feed mine newly hatched brine shrimp 2-3 times per week. This provides the nitrogen and proteins it needs for tissue growth and brilliant coloration.

I also monitor the coral polyp expansion each day. Fully expanded tentacles indicate good water quality and healthy respirating tissue. If polyps remain mostly retracted, there could be an issue with lighting intensity, flow, or chemistry imbalance.

Finally, I perform 5-10% water changes weekly using pre-mixed saltwater. This helps replenish any consumed elements and prevent buildup of nitrates or phosphates over time. Stable water parameters are key!

Enjoying My Reef Tank Addition

Now that I'm starting week two with this new coral, I couldn't be happier with how it's doing. The central stalk remains firmly anchored to the rockwork while the mushroom polyps fully expand each day respond to the light spectrum and intensity changes.

Its vibrant pops of orange and red contrast beautifully against the neighboring green star polyps and purple zoanthids. I look forward to watching the Sunkist Bounce Mushroom continue to settle in and grow within my established reef community!

For anyone looking add color and diversity with a beginner friendly coral I definitely recommend one of these mushroom species. Let me know if you have any other questions!

FAQs

How fast do bounce mushroom corals grow?

Bounce mushroom corals grow at a relatively slow pace, making them ideal beginner corals. Under proper conditions, they can expand to double their original size within 6-12 months. Growth rate depends on factors like light intensity, flow, and feeding.

Are bounce mushrooms photosynthetic or heterotrophic?

Sunkist bounce mushroom corals are primarily heterotrophic, meaning they source most of their nutrients from capturing plankton and food particles from the water column. However, they can receive some supplementary energy from photosynthesis as well.

Can I keep other corals near a bounce mushroom?

Yes, mushroom corals are generally peaceful and reef safe. They can be kept alongside LPS and soft corals like zoanthids, star polyps, leathers, and xenia. Avoid placing them near more aggressive corals that could overgrow or sting them.

What causes a bounce mushroom to lose color or shrink?

Color loss and tissue shrinkage are often signs of poor water quality or improper lighting. Ensure calcium, alkalinity, and nutrients are stable. Provide 8-12 hours of moderate to high intensity lighting, including blue wavelengths, for the best coral growth.

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