Acan Echinata dying?

[KirstenB]

I am newish to reef tanks. This is my first post here. I am 1.5 months into my most recent tank and a week ago purchased a few corals. One is an orange acan echinata. I am unsure if it is doung well but i suspect it is dying. I have a reefer 250. It was placed a few inches from the bottom but today i moved it to an area without any diect light on the sand. My Kessil 700 has been on 8 hrs a day at 30 to 50% intensity. Please advise on if these pics show it dying and any tips. I know nothing of this lps. Water parameters are good. I'll attach first day homne n today pics....thanks in advance.

 

[CodyRVA]

Welcome to reef2reef!

You can definitely see some of the skeletal structure coming through on the second image. I would pay close attention to light and flow. I've had a few acans under ideal chemistry, but improper lighting or flow and they died out pretty quickly. From my knowledge you want medium to low indirect light with generous flow. I've had some bleach in a day from too much light.

 

[miyags]

Where is your Alk Cal and Mag at?

 

[Sandroni]

Did you cycle your tank?

 

[Sandroni]

Do you have any fish?

 

[KirstenB]

Tank is cycled. 3 fish. 10.3 alk, 420 cal and 1400 mag.

 

[KirstenB]

It was in a low flow area and still is where it is in the sand. Think it can come back if I heed any hopefully upcoming advice?

 

[miyags]

Perams are fine. Feeding really does help. It helps them thrive instead of just survive.

 

[KirstenB]

Think it would? It looks hard and there has been no movement of its mouth area if you will. Newbie... sry not sure what its called lol.

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

You said you've moved it? I think your best bet is to leave it in low light and call it a day. I've had similar trouble with my acan, but I'll typically just leave it alone and it'll be fine.

 

[Michael Llabona]

What are your nitrates and phosphates at?

 

[CodyRVA]

What are your nitrates and phosphates at?

+1, ALK is quite high IMO; especially depending upon your nutrient levels

 

[KirstenB]

Not sure on phosphates... havent measured. Nitrites ammonia n nitrates are 0. I hope it can bounce back. Tried feeding and no movement btw. Sigh.

 

[CodyRVA]

Not sure on phosphates... havent measured. Nitrites ammonia n nitrates are 0. I hope it can bounce back. Tried feeding and no movement btw. Sigh.

High ALK and low nutrients are not ideal, but there could be other factors at play. I would at least give spot feeding a try.

 

[KirstenB]

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate help. I am very excited having found this site/app. Help locally is hard to come by. Tyty!!

 

[webbl19]

What kind of fish? Any chance it may be getting pecked at? I had a valentini puffer that had a taste for acans. Sucked because i really like them. Hes gone now though. [emoji3]

 

[GoVols]

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate help. I am very excited having found this site/app. Help locally is hard to come by. Tyty!!

KirstenB,
Welcome to Reef 2 Reef

You need to know where your phosphates and nitrates are at, with good test kits. (Not API)

The test kits that I like are:
Phosphates = Hanna ULR Checker
Nitrates = Salifert Nitrate Kit

And you also need to dose something like Red Sea "Reef Energy" to keep your organics up in the water column.

Here's a water parameter guide that might help you.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/

 

[KirstenB]

Thanks so much again. I have a red sea phosphate test i will do that today. Just been lazy honestly with that one lol. And whats with these test kits that have like 100 steps (exaggerating) to do... like calcium n mag. Red sea tests btw. Sheesh! Lol

 

[Bbaz123456]

+1 on feeding.
She's starving from lack of nutrients. Any type of coral foods should do. Or fish food...a pellet or flake or mysis shrimp placed gently right in the mouth should induce a feeding response. You'll see tiny clear tentacles come out. If not, try again about 30 minutes after lights out

 

[KirstenB]

Ty! I will try tomorrow after lights out. Here's hopin!