Acros lost PE

[Huskymaniac]

4 months ago I had to change my lights and was expecting some acclimation recovery, etc. I have a couple of a few small Acro Colonies that lost all polyp extension even at night. Any ideas what else I can do other than wait it out. Most of my other corals have taken off since the change in lights and am wondering if the lack of polyp extension has to do with the encroaching corals. The neighboring acros are all doing insanely well and are definitly touching. Was debating to clipping the corals off the rock and reaquascaping a bit. The following seem to be impacted.

- Laura's Purple Polyp Nasuta
- Ora Frogskin
- Ora Scripps

 

[dwest]

I’m following this...

Nice corals BTW!

You don’t have a pigmy angel or other known polyp nibbling offender do you?

 

[Huskymaniac]

No coral nippers in the tank.

 

[bluprntguy]

Some tank parameters might help. What are your new lights?

Is that a red planet in the foreground? If so, seems a little bleached out to me. If corals are getting too much PAR, they may not extend polyps.

 

[Bob Weigant]

Weird thing for myself is I’ll have some acro’s do absolutely nothing for a few months and then one day start taking off.

 

[Huskymaniac]

I changed my lights out from hydra 52's to Hydra 52 HD's. I used a par meter to match up as close possible. The red planet is bright red the white is just areas of rapid growth. May not look as colorful since the photo was taken with the tank lights off and the flash on.

 

[Huskymaniac]

Here are some better photos of the acros with no pe even at night.

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

I know you stated that you attempted to match par levels the best you could but did you significantly change the spectrum?

 

[Huskymaniac]

I know you stated that you attempted to match par levels the best you could but did you significantly change the spectrum?

I used the same percentages now t it’s a new light so assuming that could be possible. Would they still be withering at 4 months?

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

I used the same percentages now t it’s a new light so assuming that could be possible. Would they still be withering at 4 months?

Not after 4 months. What are your parameters? Export method?

 

[jda]

I see PE there.

If they are growing and colorful, then do not worry about PE... it is only needed for gas exchange, so it is OK if there is nearly none. Some tanks literally have next to none and the acropora are fine.

 

[maroun.c]

I'd go back and reduce the lighting by half and gradually go up over weeks. Make sure to observe ur corals as intensity goes higher. That would help u make sure if it's really related to lights.

 

[Huskymaniac]

Here are some more pics. I am thinking about doing some rearranging. Likely going to rip out all the soft coral on the right side and move it into a new reefer 425xl. This would give me more room to spread these acros out. Is it possible the overgrowth is the cause of the issue.

 

[Huskymaniac]

I see PE there.

If they are growing and colorful, then do not worry about PE... it is only needed for gas exchange, so it is OK if there is nearly none. Some tanks literally have next to none and the acropora are fine.

My biggest concern is the lack of PE at night. Everything was good and they actually lost the PE after I changed lights 4 months.

 

[Huskymaniac]

Not after 4 months. What are your parameters? Export method?

Just do water changes. Nitrates are closer to zero but not 0 and phosphate is .03. I did see these weird block dots on one of the acros not opening. They dont look like bugs and move way to slow. Not sure if it's a coincidence. They aren't on anything else. Maybe its some type of alleopathy from the leather corals.

 

[jda]

I see the bug down further too. That could explain the lack of PE.

 

[Epic Aquaculture]

I agree with JDA, those appear to be some type of bug. Have you added anything recently that could have brought a pest in?

 

[Huskymaniac]

I see the bug down further too. That could explain the lack of PE.

Even on the Acros who have no signs of bugs at all? I was think about pulling this peice and dipping it and giving it a good cleaning and seeing what happens.

 

[Huskymaniac]

I agree with JDA, those appear to be some type of bug. Have you added anything recently that could have brought a pest in?

Actually haven't added any type of coral in over a year. Just added a few fish.

 

[ScottR]

Just do water changes. Nitrates are closer to zero but not 0 and phosphate is .03. I did see these weird block dots on one of the acros not opening. They dont look like bugs and move way to slow. Not sure if it's a coincidence. They aren't on anything else. Maybe its some type of alleopathy from the leather corals.

You’re sharp on your own game. I think you’ve found your culprit. Time to hone in on it. Watch for movement. And keep an eye on other corals. You may have to do a mass dip pretty soon.