Ricordea Yuma mushroom coral are an ideal addition to your reef tank. Selling coral online I know how complicated it can be to properly represent the exact coloration of a specimen. Ricordea like other corals seek to adapt and maximize environmental variations. These variations include lighting and current strength. After purchasing Ricordea mushroom coral online and introducing them to your reef tank a fluctuation in appearance will occur. Over a period of a few weeks the coral will adapt to your tanks specific environment. Adaptation will be manifested as change in appearance.

Your choices in aquarium lighting and water current strength will dictate the change in appearance. Many reef tank enthusiasts believe Ricordea prefer low light and weak water current. My first hand diving experiences at many different collection spots show indicate greater variation with light and water current. I have explored some collection spots where the water current was tremendous. Diving at mid-day in Florida and the Carribean I have experienced almost blinding light conditions at collection points.

When building a reef aquarium for Ricordea I am a firm believer in Metal Halide Lighting. Reef keeping with power compacts, VHO’s, or Metal Halides are no match for sun light on a reef. Metal Halides alone seem to provide the most intense light source especially 2 or more feet below surface in your tank. Including natural sunlight via windows or skylights provides a seemingly miraculous boost in growth, coloration and healing. If your natural light source for your reef aquarium is intense a deep blue 20k light is a sufficient light supplement. If you get less natural light a 12k or 14k will be sufficient. In the past I have tried power compacts and VHOs as supplemental reef tank lighting but in the long run provided no noticeable value.

Ricordea Yuma seems far more sensitive to light than Ricordea Florida. In fact I have kept some Ricordea under my main grate and the do very well. I move Deep Orange and Deep Red Ricordea toward the center of the aquarium gradually, a bit every week, for a month or two after introduction to my reef tank.

Ricordea.Org Your Mushroom Coral Resource