Birdnest coralHELP!!!

[DIAZ REEF]

Yes, I see some white areas of the skeletal structure.

Since I remember they always had white there

 

[RedFrog211]

What do I do. I have always thought those guys were doing the best as they always are fully extended and looking nice.
what would cause this?

My guess would be either one of your test kits are wrong, and your parameters are off, or you have some kind of bad bacteria/ infection. Not sure how likely this second guess is, so we’ll see what others have to say.

 

[Jeeperz]

Not much help but I've never had luck with the green birdnest like yours. Had a beautiful one that was growing then just up and died yet all other corals and purple/pink versions were fine

 

[DIAZ REEF]

My guess would be either one of your test kits are wrong, and your parameters are off, or you have some kind of bad bacteria/ infection. Not sure how likely this second guess is, so we’ll see what others have to say.

What do you suggest I do?

 

[SaltyT]

What do I do. I have always thought those guys were doing the best as they always are fully extended and looking nice.
what would cause this?

Your hammers don’t look like they’re dying. They’re just telling you something is wrong. Alk swings can cause it along with what you’re seeing in your birdnest.

 

[DIAZ REEF]

Your hammers don’t look like they’re dying. They’re just telling you something is wrong. Alk swings can cause it along with what you’re seeing in your birdnest.

Today I have to do a water change. I have 10% ready to be put it in. Tomorrow should I do another change ?

 

[DIAZ REEF]

My guess would be either one of your test kits are wrong, and your parameters are off, or you have some kind of bad bacteria/ infection. Not sure how likely this second guess is, so we’ll see what others have to say.

Oh man. Tomorrow I will run a whole bunch of tests. I use Hanna kits for most and for mag I use salifert

 

[RedFrog211]

What do you suggest I do?

I would get the water tested by a second source/ LFS. This might help target any parameter that’s off. Forgive me, you may have mentioned, do you make or buy your water?

 

[DIAZ REEF]

I would get the water tested by a second source/ LFS. This might help target any parameter that’s off. Forgive me, you may have mentioned, do you make or buy your water?

Make, I use RODI water to mix

 

[RedFrog211]

Make, I use RODI water to mix

What salt mix do you use?

 

[DIAZ REEF]

What salt mix do you use?

 

[RedFrog211]

Seems reliable and has good reviews.. hmm do you have any way to test for iron or copper?

 

[DIAZ REEF]

Seems reliable and has good reviews.. hmm do you have any way to test for iron or copper?

No I have never tested for either of those

 

[RedFrog211]

No I have never tested for either of those

I would recommend getting those checked, if anything to at least cross it off the list. Copper is lethal to inverts, and with the birdnest and hammers acting up, I’m thinking it’s something widespread. Sometimes metal debris can be caught in live rock without people knowing, and it slowly leaks lead/copper into the tank, damaging the corals.

 

[Pistondog]

I recently moved the same coral lower in my tank due to high flow. I bought an mp10 that was blasting it from below, up a rock face. This 'bleached' the underside polyps.
The top was doing well in highish light.
I don't think flow or light is your issue from the pattern of die off.
Some of the white tips seem fairly protected, from mechanical livestock nipping.
Maybe get an icp test

 

[Rick5]

Why are you testing nitrite and how are you testing it?

 

[DIAZ REEF]

Why are you testing nitrite and how are you testing it?

Why? Because ever since I bought my tank (3.5 months ago) I was told to test nitrite nitrate and ammonia. Once I began to add things I was recommended to test calcium,alk,mag,phosphate and so on. So in good practise when I do my weekly tests. I test everything I can.
In a way I really enjoy it, as a child my dreams were to be a chemist. Lol I def am no where close to that but it’s very therapeutic. If that makes sense
what I use is a Red Sea test kit.

 

[SaltyT]

Why? Because ever since I bought my tank (3.5 months ago) I was told to test nitrite nitrate and ammonia. Once I began to add things I was recommended to test calcium,alk,mag,phosphate and so on. So in good practise when I do my weekly tests. I test everything I can.
In a way I really enjoy it, as a child my dreams were to be a chemist. Lol I def am no where close to that but it’s very therapeutic. If that makes sense
what I use is a Red Sea test kit.

Have you done your water change yet? If so, curious what your parameters are now. Also, I don’t believe you included your PH in your previous parameter post.

 

[DIAZ REEF]

Have you done your water change yet? If so, curious what your parameters are now. Also, I don’t believe you included your PH in your previous parameter post.

I did my water change, but I have my in laws on their way over so my testing will be done in the morning I’ll send the list in the am

 

[DIAZ REEF]

My big hammer, came like this. I was looking at pictures from when I bought it. Actually it came ALL white at the base. These pics are from day 1