Acan and war coral declining help

[moz71]

So I have a war coral and acan suddenly declining. 2 days ago they were still dull great color and tentacles reaching out. Since then not dead but acan totally deflated. No extension and war coral major color fade and no tentacles coming out to feed. I have a hammer and torch that are still doing extremely well. I did do some minor changes but don’t think that would cause a rapid decline. I raised my blue lights and lowered my white lights on kessill but not dramatically. Also the one head on my acan that did turn completely white was on the underside shaded. I out in some rowaphos to lower phosphate. Battling hair algae but pho’s was only at .003. 0 nitrates were always at 0 but I know there are there since having a minor hair algae breakout. Also added cheato in sumo. Has any body had any experience with this situation? I will add that I also added a matted filefish to eat aptasia. Do you think he can be picking at them.? Zoas are also doing great and thought he would go for those first if he was going to pick at corals. All other parameters stable for months

 

[Hemmdog]

I would raise nutrient levels, stop the rowaphos, attempt to feed them at night, make sure magnesium is above 1300. Filefish could be nipping so keep an eye on it. I’m also a big believer in amino acids which, with your low nutrients, couldn’t hurt. I like reef energy a&b.

 

[ccombs]

So I have a war coral and acan suddenly declining. 2 days ago they were still dull great color and tentacles reaching out. Since then not dead but acan totally deflated. No extension and war coral major color fade and no tentacles coming out to feed. I have a hammer and torch that are still doing extremely well. I did do some minor changes but don’t think that would cause a rapid decline. I raised my blue lights and lowered my white lights on kessill but not dramatically. Also the one head on my acan that did turn completely white was on the underside shaded. I out in some rowaphos to lower phosphate. Battling hair algae but pho’s was only at .003. 0 nitrates were always at 0 but I know there are there since having a minor hair algae breakout. Also added cheato in sumo. Has any body had any experience with this situation? I will add that I also added a matted filefish to eat aptasia. Do you think he can be picking at them.? Zoas are also doing great and thought he would go for those first if he was going to pick at corals. All other parameters stable for months

I actually just dealt with deflating acans but healthy hammers this week, I had a different issue though.

I agree with raising nutrients. My tank runs super high nutrients and I have seen great growth out of my corals. That being said, my high nutrients aren't super intentional, it is an ongoing problem that I have been dealing with for a year, but my corals are loving it haha.

 

[DSC reef]

That tank is too clean, your stripping a lot of nutrients with GFO and and macro algae. Slight changes in lighting doesn't seem like much but when you combine it with everything else it can be very stressful to a coral. I agree with removing the rowaphos and getting your nutrients up but do things slowly. Remember, a little algae won't hurt anything and you'll be surprised at the diversity of clean up crews that can help. Unfortunately when people see algae more damage is caused by the stuff they add to the tank versus the algae itself. Hope the corals come back for you.

 

[gotmesalty77]

Water to clean I keep my nitrates at 20ppm (wwc levels) and po4 under 0.15

 

[moz71]

Thanks all. Yea maybe all the little adjustments with the ultra low were too much. I pulled the rowaphos and adjusted lights back to previous level. And give it time. I will try the amino acids but will take it ultra slow and conservative

 

[moz71]

Urg!!!! I saw my filefish picking at acan. Now I think it is him at least the reason for the acan since that happened almost overnight. And one head was completely torn and white. Put the acan in a qt tank for now until I figure out what to do. Mixed feelings if it is he that is causing the brain coral issues but since the brain just seem to loose mostly it’s color it may be the low nutrients. I may have to get the filefish out but he completely controlled my aptasia urrghhhh!!!!

 

[DSC reef]

Filefish definitely like flesh polyps, lol. We had one that was great for a year then went rouge and tried another that lasted a day, lol. Unfortunately once they get a taste for coral it doesn't stop.