[Cougra]

Welcome to the site. I hope you enjoy your stay here.

I do have to point out that the pick carnation coral probably wont live for very long. These corals fall under the category difficult in the upmost extremes to keep. Although carnation corals are often available in stores because of their vibrant colours, there have been no known successful cases of keeping one alive for any length of time in a captive environment. They are non-photosynthetic deep sea corals that are generally found hanging upside-down underneath ledges in the wild. Their feeding and water flow requirements are completely unknown. Unfortunately most LFS’s realise these corals don’t live very long and are eager to sell them as quickly as possible with little to no warning and at fairly inexpensive prices which makes them attractive to many hobbyists who don't do their research.

Even if you have a coral for one or two months, it doesn't mean that it's been kept sucessfully, as they could just be dieing slowly. Corals have a very slow motabolim which doesn't show symptoms of illness or malnutrition for a long period of time, but often slowly starve to death over the course of months.

The most ethical and economical tip I can give is to research the animals that you wish to put in the tank before you purchase them. Make sure that the animals you wish to keep are compatible with the rest of your tank mates as well as with your equipment , make sure you have the proper lighting, current, room for the animal when it's grown, feeding regimen, etc. If you know the limitations of your system and only get animals which suit those limitations then you'll find this hobby a lot more enjoyable then if you are constantly losing a lot of animals.