Aside from spending a great deal of time caring for the incision during the recovery period of the Ricordia Yuma, the next most important factor in the process may have been aquarium lighting. Under normal circumstances Ricordia Yuma tolerate far less light intensity than Ricordia Florida. During a recovery period this factor becomes even more important. I found than many corals I  worked with recovered much quicker under less intensity than they are normally keep here at my facility.
Prior to the propagation of the Ricordia Yuma, I would typically keep the live coral under a 250 watt metal halide bulb. The coral would be about one foot under the light and five or so inches below the surface of the water. The placement would be most indirect though nearly one third the distance to the side of the tank while the Ricordia Florida was kept directly under the light. The Ricordia Yuma thrived under these conditions for some time before I had decided to propagate and for some time after they had completely healed.
Immediately after the propagation and for an extended period of time I kept the Ricordia Yuma cuttings to the far side of the tank. When setting up my lighting, I did not place the bulbs dead center intentionally to provide a somewhat shaded area on the grate I worked on daily. I moved the Ricordia  cuttings to the far shaded side, and set them in small breeder tanks attached to the side of the tank. I drilled many holes to sustain a good solid water flow thought the breeder vessel. I'm certain had I returned these propagated coral to the original spot in the tank they would not have done very well. In general I'd advise a reduction in light during this process to the extent of the time it takes the coral to heal. |
