[charlesr1958]

Having had daily access to the Philippine fringing reefs over that last three years, I can state that nutrient levels, as those being discussed are not something I would put into the equation of keeping this species. Nor the light levels either. I see a great many elegance corals each time I hit the water, which can be found at depths between 10 to 35 feet in water clarity that I would not call "reef grade" or "clear" by any stretch of the word. Being all of the same species, and the fact that any coral can adapt to varying light intensity, it would be wrong to assume that those corals found in deeper water could not adjust to a higher intensity, if done properly. I've done it. I also test the reefs water and have never been able to get a detectable level of any nitrates.
The problems captive kept elegance corals have been having is one of being a pathogen and not one of having two distinct "types" of elegance corals (shallow/deep). I also have never seen a wild elegance coral having any of the problems that those in captivity have been having. Which tells me that the problem is one of contamination/infection and not one of basic coral care or one of "skin" thickness.
As for Eric's work and study on this problem, please be patient. Having to isolate the suspected pathogen(s), scan them under an electron microscope, having other scientists review/study the results as well as pouring over the hundreds of such scans, and then compiling the information is not going to happen over night. I would not look for any conclussions for quite some time.
An elegance coral is an easy coral to keep, that is, if you have a heathly specimen to start out with. Moderate light and flow, reef grade water, and feed it at least once a week. If you buy one that is infected/contaminated, there is nothing much you can do to save it other than what you would normaly do and cross your fingers. Hopefully once the pathogen(s) are isolated, if they can be, it will lead to a cure or at least a prevention method. Untill such time, I would not suggest anyone buy one.

Chuck