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Can I Give Corals as a Christmas Gift?

12/9/2022

Short story written in part by ChatGPT A.I. and photo above created in part by Wonder A.I.

It was Christmas morning, and the man woke up with a feeling of excitement and anticipation. He had been hoping for a very special gift, and he couldn't wait to see what was waiting for him under the tree.

He rushed downstairs and tore open the wrapping paper, revealing a crisp white box with a big blue sticker on it that read "TheCoralFarm.com". He popped open the Styrofoam container to reveal a beautiful, pink and purple Lobo coral. It was his favorite type of coral, and he had been longing for one for years.

The man was overjoyed, and he quickly set about preparing a spot for the coral in his aquarium. He carefully placed it among the rocks and other corals, and watched as it began to puff up in agreement.

Over the next few days, the man watched with amazement as the coral grew and flourished. It was a sight to behold, and it brought him great joy and satisfaction.

As the weeks and months passed, the man cared for his coral with love and dedication. He regularly cleaned the aquarium, provided the right nutrients and lighting, and made sure that the water was always just right.

And as the coral continued to grow and thrive, the man realized that his Christmas gift was not just a beautiful piece of coral, but a source of endless wonder and delight. It was the perfect gift, and he was grateful for it every day.

We love this story!

Let's make it happen! We have some ideas that will help you successfully give the GIFT OF CORALS under the Christmas this year.

1) If you are local to a reef shop arrange to pick them up the day before Christmas. Keep them as close to 76F degrees as you can even if it means turning up the heat in the house a little bit. Most corals will be fine even down to the mid 60's but not over the low 80's. So keep them warm but don't put them next to the heater. Most corals will be fine in the bag for 2 days if you keep them warm.

2) Gift Cards are great! You are off the hook for picking out the corals and they get to pick that perfect coral of their dreams.

3) Buy now and ship later. You can print out photos of the corals you bought and wrap them up as stocking stuffers! Get that look of joy over and over again for each coral photo they discover. We can arrange shipping after all the holiday craziness.

Read More: The "Do's and Don'ts of Gifting Corals"

Gift Cards

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Starting a Reef Tank

12/9/2022

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Saltwater reef aquariums are a popular and rewarding hobby that allows hobbyists to create their own little slice of the ocean in their own home. These aquariums are home to a diverse array of colorful and fascinating marine life, including fish, corals, and invertebrates.

Starting a saltwater reef aquarium can be a daunting task, but with the right knowledge and planning, it can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. Here are some key things to consider when setting up a saltwater reef aquarium:

Choose the right size and type of aquarium for your space and needs. A larger aquarium is generally easier to maintain, but make sure you have the space and ability to properly care for it. We recommend 55 gallon or larger.
Select the right location for your aquarium. It should be near an electrical outlet and out of direct sunlight to prevent the water from overheating.
Set up the aquarium stand and equipment. This includes the tank, filtration system, heater, thermometer, and lighting. You can add a sump to make things easier in the future. A sump is an additional tank typically under the stand where you can house your filtration and other equipment. If you plan to have corals in the future then find a light with more of a blue spectrum. Corals look best under blue lights and fish look most colorful under whiter lighting.
Install the rocks and substrate. Only use reef rock and reef sand for proper PH. Don't add any wood or other types of stone. Have fun creating caves and overhangs with the rock. These will provide places for your fish and other aquatic life to hide and explore.
Add water to the aquarium and choose a brand of synthetic sea salt. We use Instant Ocean. Use dechlorinated tap water, distilled water or install an RODI water filter. Starting with pure water to mix with your salt is very important. Use a hydrometer or refractometer to measure the salinity of the water each time.
Test the water to ensure it is safe for your fish. This includes testing for salinity, temperature, ammonia, and nitrite levels.
Start with hardy fish like Clowns or Damsels. Acclimate your fish to the new environment by slowly warming the bags by floating them in your tank. Never add the water a fish comes with to your tank. This water might be treated with copper or chemicals to fight infections.
Wait for your tank to cycle over the next few weeks. Bacteria will grow and consume the fish waste. Thing may get ugly for a while but eventually everything will balance out and clear up. When the "ugly phase" goes away try adding more fish. Research different fish and if they get along with the ones you already have.
Feed your fish a varied diet and monitor their health. Regular water changes and maintenance will also be necessary to keep your aquarium healthy.

Overall, starting a saltwater reef aquarium can be a challenging but rewarding hobby. With the right setup and care, you can create a thriving and beautiful aquatic environment that will provide enjoyment for years to come.

For more information about equipment and additives visit: Reefkeeping Tips

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What is Palytoxin?

12/9/2022

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Palytoxin is a highly toxic compound that is produced by certain species of zoanthus corals, including Palythoa grandis, Nuclear Death Paly, Purple Death Paly, Button Polyps and other types of zoanthus corals. It is a polycyclic ether that is highly potent and can be harmful or even lethal to humans and other animals if ingested or inhaled. It is thought to serve as a defense mechanism for the coral, deterring potential predators from consuming it. Palytoxin can also be harmful to other marine animals, including fish and invertebrates.

Button Polyps contain
high levels of Palytoxin.

Highly Toxic Grandis Paly

Symptoms of palytoxin poisoning in humans can include fever, nausea, vomiting, muscle and/or abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, and heart problems. In severe cases, palytoxin poisoning can be life-threatening and may require immediate medical attention. There are cases of people dying from palytoxin poisoning. The damage it causes to the body are dependent upon exposure levels and mode of exposure.

Safety precautions are recommended. It is important to handle zoanthus corals with care and avoid inhaling or ingesting any water that may contain palytoxin. It is also important to thoroughly wash your hands and working areas after handling these corals. Wearing gloves and eye protection is advised. Do not cut these corals on a wet saw as this can cause airborne droplets to form which may be inhaled or land on surfaces causing contamination.

Real Stories from Fellow Reefers...

Jacob B.
Grandis palys put me down for the count. Took as many precautions as I could using eye protection, gloves, mask and apron but still managed to get it. Only thing I could think of getting it was that I had a cut on my hand under my gloves. Started feeling bad on my way to work then got the most God awful copper taste in my mouth and the worst flu like symptoms and headache I've ever had in my life. Literally laid in the floor of my office trailer for 4-5 hours curled up in a ball until I could get enough strength to drive home and endure the rest of the day and part of the next before I came too. 10/10 wouldn't recommend!

Lee V.
I was on a respirator after my encounter with paly's I cut off a tank wall. Got lucky i told my wife what i thought it was before losing my speech. My tongue felt like someone put half a dozen 9volt batteries on it at the same time and I couldn't respond enough to tell them by the time i got there.

Windsor A.
I’ve been hit twice. I was cleaning some coral frag racks off in a sink not realizing there were very tiny pieces of palys that had rip off onto them. About 8 hours after exposure it will full on chills, joints aches, fever, and just over all felt like a flu hit me with every symptom immediately. It sucked. Fortunately it all went away before I even woke up the next day.
Oh!! And the second time I was hit I wore gloves, face mask and face shield and STILL GOT IT. So sometimes proper PPE doesn’t even help. I caution anyone considering adding these to their tanks. They also grow so well and that’s just more potential poison.

Corey B.
20 years of working with the and I was hit once, by my own fault. They are not a coral to be feared, just respected. Proper PPE and cognitive alert to what you are doing. Hands do not touch anything but the coral, and AS SOON as I am done, cleaning off begins, starting with alcohol spray to neutralize the toxin, then scrub from upper arm down to fingertips.

Palytoxin is one of the most poisonous non-protein substances known to man. It should be taken seriously and if you are going to own these animals it's important to be informed on the dangers that go along with caring for them. They are beautiful animals that can be enjoyed safely, so long as you take proper safety measures.

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Can I Give Corals as a Christmas Gift?

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