Keeping an Open Brain Coral...

[STiTCH87]

Just wanted some info on keeping an open brain coral.

I have a 29g with a 4-bulb 96w tek light T5 for lighting.
For flow I have a VorTech MP10.
Plenty of sand bed area for it to live on.
And a very well working skimmer which keeps the tank water crystal clear.

Is that equipment and conditions good enough for keeping an open brain? I don't dose anything at all into the tank nor do I feed phytoplankton. I only feed pellet, flake, and frozen preparations (every other day, in rotating order).

I read on LiveAquaria that you need to dose trace elements into your tank to keep one of these. is that true? And if so, what would be a good brand to use to dose trace elements?

Also, do they need to be target fed occasionally?

I just really want one and plan to buy one this week but naturally, I want to make sure I am prepared to own one first.

Oh, and I thought i'd mention, I do a water change every 2 weeks and the salt I use is SeaChem Reef Salt (the new type) that has a whole ton of added trace elements in it. Would that be enough trace so that I wouldn't need to dose?

Here's the stats on the salt:

Typical Ionic Concentrations of Reef Salt™

Units=mg/L
Levels will vary based on salinity
Chloride
19336
Sodium
10752
Sulfate
2657
Magnesium
1317
Potassium
421
Calcium
442
Carbonate/Bicarbonate
142
Strontium
9.5
Boron
16
Bromide
64
Iodide
0.060
Lithium
0.3
Silicon
<0.1
Iron
0.0098
Copper
0.0003
Nickel
<0.015
Zinc
0.0107
Manganese
0.0023
Molybdenum
0.0098
Cobalt
0.0004
Vanadium
<0.015
Selenium
<0.019
Rubidium
0.118
Barium
<0.04

 

[amdphenomx4]

Yoyou won't have any issue keeping them without dosing. As long as nothing picks on it and you keep it on the sand, it will do fine.

 

[s_kelley]

You'll be fine. I don't add trace elements either. If u keep up on your water changes and use a good salt it will do well. I spot feedbut thefeedings are few and far between.

 

[STiTCH87]

Yeah I do a water change of 5 gallons every 2 weeks with SeaChem Reef Salt which is said to be best of the best right now by alot of LFS' i've asked. I may spot feed myself, since I am easily capable and have fun target feeding corals. Nice to know it'll be okay. And yeah nothing in my tank would pick on it. Very docile tankmates.

 

[STiTCH87]

Going to go buy the open brain on Wednesday after I get out of work. PLEASE nobody buy it before me... =[ I hope it'll still be there.