Are these Corals gone?

[Charles Belisle]

Last week; I had a problem with my lighting not working. My corals went a few days with no to very little lighting. I got the light working again; but had to move it up about 6" from the water. My GSP has rebounded well. However, My brain looks very bleached and the button coral will not open up (blow up) used to be the size of a nickel. Now it only gets the size of a pencil eraser. My lighting is: USA Orbit Marine Aquarium LED Light. Thought about moving it up; but don't know if that will help. I think Brain is beyond saving.

See before and after pictures below:

After:

 

[RalphsReef]

They look like they will make it. Kinda hard to tell by the pics, though. Ease them back into the light schedule as not to shock them.

 

[TheRedBeardedReefer]

Not looking great, but not dead either. Years ago I had a frogspawn that I thought had completely died off. 6 months later I noticed a speck of green peeking through the old skeleton, so you never know. If they're in this condition because of too little light (seems like a REALLY quick decline for just a couple of days), I would reintroduce light slowly. You should also check other parameters in the tank.
I just used my seneye this past weekend to measure PAR in my buddy's tank (he has two 48" orbit marine IC strips, and light intensity tails off pretty quick below the surface. We read ~300 at the surface directly below one strip, ~140 6" deep, ~70 12" deep, ~40 18" deep and ~12 at 24". In case that's helpful.

 

[Mayerlyn A]

There is hope still. Pretty sure they will recover.

 

[Charles Belisle]

They look like they will make it. Kinda hard to tell by the pics, though. Ease them back into the light schedule as not to shock them.

You think the Brain will make a come back? seems to be pretty bleached - How will I know when its gone? Anything I can do to help save it?

 

[Katrina71]

No way! Give them 6 weeks!!!

 

[Mikedawg]

Many refers completely black out their tanks for 3-4 days with no bad effects, may be something other than light FWIW

 

[Charles Belisle]

I will check the water levels - did a 40% water change - 2 days prior to light going out - was having issues keeping Nitrates down - was seeing 90 ppm. Moved light up 6" - maybe not getting enough light? Brain is glued to rock so hard to move up to test - but could move button up to see if it opens up? Should it be moved or left alone?

 

[RalphsReef]

If the brain looks bleached or pale, I would leave it at the level it is at now. I've never found where blasting a bleached coral with extra light was helpful. Definitely find the source of the nitrates and address that as well.

 

[Charles Belisle]

What is a good lvl for Nitrate for corals? I know 0 is ideal; but what is a healthy level for them?

 

[RalphsReef]

10-15 ppm.

 

[Phildago]

Nah, they'll make it

 

[vetteguy53081]

Theyre somewhat dormant and with right spectrum should open up nicely. Do add Aminos and even a little lugols Iodine.
Feed lightly in a couple of days and see if there is coral response

 

[Charles Belisle]

Theyre somewhat dormant and with right spectrum should open up nicely. Do add Aminos and even a little lugols Iodine.
Feed lightly in a couple of days and see if there is coral response

When I google these - they come up from Walmart - like - Bragg's Aminos - and Iodine like you put on the body?

 

[RalphsReef]

The iodine is typically referred to as "Lugol's Solution." Most aquarium stores or BRS have it. I believe Brightwell offers it in their line up, and something with Amino's also.