Got up early this morning, did the usual water change and maintenance in the mini-reef, then began the acclimation process to move the sun coral from the “quarantine” picoreef where it was languishing to the 29 gallon mini-reef. Several hours later, I put it in the spot I’d planned, but it’s precariously balanced, tipping on it’s side so all polyps are facing me. May move it around some more in that area to get it more upright, but the area seems to be a good one for it. We went to the dog park and were gone a couple of hours: when we got home a little while ago we found this (click for bigger pics):

Sun Coral, 2 hours after being put in the mini-reef

Close-up of Sun Coral, 2 hours after being put in the mini-reef

The sun is definitely shining and looks very happy in it’s new home! Something I noticed that I hadn’t thought of when I got it, is how the pink of the polyps picks up the pink of the pink skunk clownfish which lives nearby.

Other notes: the cyano appeared to be gone this morning, so I won’t have to treat the tank again.  I smoked Elle with microvert shortly after putting the sun coral in the tank; though Elle and the coral are on opposite ends of the tank, the coral might be able to tell that and have opened up to snack on what little bit wafted over. There is one bit of bad news: it appeared when I lifted the coral out of the picoreef, that another polyp died overnight last night, a small one that was next to the dead one, and like it, right against the substrate. I suspect the substrate in the other tank was part of the problem and if I keep it up on rock it’ll be fine. In fact, I’m considering trying to see if I can fit it into the biggest niche on palace rock which is about an inch up and inch over from where it is now. For the moment, however I’m not going to touch it….and hope it doesn’t get tipped over by a shrimp or hermit crab! I just want it to settle in and feed. It looks just magnificent! I’m feeling much better about it now.