GTi Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 I've been out of town for 3 1/2 weeks and while my helpers have fed the fish, topped off the RO and changed the filter pads, there have been no water changes. Everything looks ok except for the Plate coral and some algae growth despite the fact I'm running GFO in a BRS reactor. I can work on the algae. For the Plate, is there anything can do except water changes and feeding it? I'm planning on 5 gallon water changes every day for the next 3 or so days so there's no rapid change of parameters.My tank is a 34 gallon CADlights. The Plate next to it is looking a bit bleached but the tissue looks fine and the tentacles are extended. TIA! Link to comment
GTi Posted April 28, 2015 Author Share Posted April 28, 2015 Going to check parameters shortly and will post details. Link to comment
ml86743 Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Hmmm. I had a lobo that had started to show signs a tissue recession out of no where...so I moved him to my ten gallon where the flow was lower and nothing to bother him and he's bouncing back! After I had moved him I noticed some bubble algae growing where the tissue was receding. After manual removal he looks even better. I know we're dealing with a plate and not a lobo but maybe something has settled on his skeleton. I know you said there was an algae bloom. I'll check in after you do a parameter update ..hope I could help! Link to comment
GTi Posted April 28, 2015 Author Share Posted April 28, 2015 Hmmm. I had a lobo that had started to show signs a tissue recession out of no where...so I moved him to my ten gallon where the flow was lower and nothing to bother him and he's bouncing back! After I had moved him I noticed some bubble algae growing where the tissue was receding. After manual removal he looks even better. I know we're dealing with a plate and not a lobo but maybe something has settled on his skeleton. I know you said there was an algae bloom. I'll check in after you do a parameter update ..hope I could help! Thanks. When I fed the fish I dropped a few pellets on it but it didn't respond and when the pumps came back on the pellets blew away. Going to do some parameters shortly then a water change. Thanks for the input. Link to comment
GTi Posted April 28, 2015 Author Share Posted April 28, 2015 Just tested a couple of key parameters. Salinity is 1.025 but alkalinity is 5.7 dkH. I think that's the problem. Now to read up on how to raise it safely... Anyway, I would still be interested if anyone else has input on what to try to bring the Plate back aside from correcting the alk. It looks like most of the tissue is gone from the mouth area. Link to comment
ml86743 Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Does your alk usually sit that low ? I have heard crazy alk swings can cause rrecession. Link to comment
GTi Posted April 29, 2015 Author Share Posted April 29, 2015 No. I don't test as often as I should (going to try harder!) but it's usually around 9. Link to comment
Thomas898 Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 A massive alk swing will definitely do damage to the tissue. You can try raising it through a series of small water changes depending on what brand of salt mix you are using, if you do larger ones with salt like RSCP for example, you risk causing another dramatic change in the alkalinity if it's sitting that low which will do more harm than good. Try moving it to an area where there is a bit less flow and continue to try and feed it.. If all of the mouth area is gone though, probably not a lot that can be done. When Fungia corals are going to die, they have been known to produce a heap of small babies over the parts of the skeleton that have died and have no flesh, so you will be able to frag them off at least if that happens Link to comment
NorthGaHillbilly Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 alk swings are hell on plates. Ive had good luck moving them to lower light and making sure that nothing is messing with them. but maintaining your alk level is paramount IME Link to comment
GTi Posted April 29, 2015 Author Share Posted April 29, 2015 A massive alk swing will definitely do damage to the tissue. You can try raising it through a series of small water changes depending on what brand of salt mix you are using, if you do larger ones with salt like RCSP for example, you risk causing another dramatic change in the alkalinity if it's sitting that low which will do more harm than good. Try moving it to an area where there is a bit less flow and continue to try and feed it.. If all of the mouth area is gone though, probably not a lot that can be done. When Fungia corals are going to die, they have been known to produce a heap of small babies over the parts of the skeleton that have died and have no flesh, so you will be able to frag them off at least if that happens alk swings are hell on plates. Ive had good luck moving them to lower light and making sure that nothing is messing with them. but maintaining your alk level is paramount IME Thank you both! Link to comment
GTi Posted April 30, 2015 Author Share Posted April 30, 2015 I did a 5 gallon water change yesterday and added a little Seachem Reefbuilder. Another 5 gallon change today and alk is up to 8.7. I moved the coral to a partly shaded area. It looks like it's losing more tissue. I'll try to maintain stable alk and hope for the best. Link to comment
NorthGaHillbilly Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 what salt are you using? Link to comment
NorthGaHillbilly Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 Reef Crystals the last 2 batches I had mixed up really hot, Alk around 12. keep that in mind, 2 part might be an option, but either way, consistency is key, Ive never had good luck with swings over .5 in a day, even if there in the "right" direction. Link to comment
GTi Posted April 30, 2015 Author Share Posted April 30, 2015 Thanks - good to know. I'll measure the next batch I mix up. Too bad - of all the corals in the tank, this was the nicest. Appreciate the input! Link to comment
Thomas898 Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 A swing of 3 points is probably going to do more damage, smaller water changes would have been a better idea to slowly increase the levels, that swing will end up causing more tissue recession. Just concentrate on keeping the levels stable for now, keep it shaded and feed if possible every 2-3 days, plate corals are able to consume a lot of food. Good luck! Link to comment
GTi Posted April 30, 2015 Author Share Posted April 30, 2015 Yeah - I should have tested alk after the water change yesterday. I assumed, incorrectly, that it wouldn't have that much impact on the alkalinity. Thanks for the advice! Link to comment
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