Blasto has been closed up...

[Sharkbait19]

Hi.
For a few weeks my blasto coral has gone from thriving to this:

As of recent, it’s been getting considerably worse, and I’m worried it might die soon. Just for a little background info, I did move it from one area to another a while ago, although flow and lighting did not change too much. It had a vermatid on its skeleton a couple months ago that I eliminated. It’s never been the same since. It is situated roughly an inch or two from a trumpet frag but is otherwise near nothing.
It is in the middle of the tank, on an “lps frag island” I created:

I really like this coral, so any advise on placement or lighting would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[MERKEY]

What are your parameters including phos?

 

[Sharkbait19]

I am doing a water change tomorrow morning, so I will check beforehand. Warning: it’s API, and I’m way too incredibly cheap (and dumb ;Sorry) to shell out for a new kit.

 

[MERKEY]

I am doing a water change tomorrow morning, so I will check beforehand. Warning: it’s API, and I’m way too incredibly cheap to shell out for a new one.

Ok gotcha....

I just went over your build thread and I think it may be time for some better test kits.

Until we know the numbers we can't really help.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I am doing a water change tomorrow morning, so I will check beforehand. Warning: it’s API, and I’m way too incredibly cheap to shell out for a new one.

I understand cheap/cost savings but I dont understand spending $21 for a master kit to manage $100,$200,$300 in corals and assume all is good. Many good used Hanna and salifert kits on here for $30 average.
I suggest taking a water sample to a trusted LFS that does not use API and have them test the water for you and see what results they come up with then compare results
The tissue is receeded due to stress. Factors for stress are lighting -flow- LOCATION (too close to sand) and water itself.
Moderate light and water flow
Temp 77-79
ph 8.1-8.3
salinity 1.025
nitrate < .5
phos < .04
Ammonia < .03
mG 1300
Alk 8-10
CA 440

 

[Uncle99]

Looks either starved over time (nitrate phosphate deficiency)
Or someone had a snack?

You have anything like that...

Hard to keep LPS and SPS without all the test kits IMM.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Shade it. Give it a day or two. U can glue it to the bottom structure of ur rockwork in low flow and hope it recovers as well. Blastos are similar to acans and mircos. Pretty hardy imo
D

 

[NoahLikesFish]

mabye feed it? Also how much do all the corals in your tank cost?

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Prob going after that hitchhiker hurt it. Should recover. Howd u make do of the little bugger?
D

 

[NoahLikesFish]

Btw is the ph alert any good in salt?

 

[Sharkbait19]

mabye feed it? Also how much do all the corals in your tank cost?

I’ve spent at least $1,000 in corals so far. Definitely not cheap, but it all comes together in the end.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Prob going after that hitchhiker hurt it. Should recover. Howd u make do of the little bugger?
D

To kill the vermatid I took the coral out of the water, snapped off the little tube, and glued over it to starve it.

 

[Sharkbait19]

So I’ve gathered that a better test kit is a priority. That will be my next buy.

I’ll turn the rock around to put it under some better shade and flow, and I’ll give it some food. Thanks everybody for your help! It means a lot!!

 

[Sharkbait19]

Btw is the ph alert any good in salt?

I’m not too familiar with ph alert, but those seachem badges aren’t 100% accurate ime. Chemical tests are both more cost effective and accurate.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Btw is the ph alert any good in salt?

Those alert work in both fresh and saltwater and are as useless as API test kits. . . . I dont trust them

 

[Sharkbait19]

I understand cheap/cost savings but I dont understand spending $21 for a master kit to manage $100,$200,$300 in corals and assume all is good. Many good used Hanna and salifert kits on here for $30 average.

You’re probably right, I’ll look into those kits. Thanks for the info!

 

[jassermd]

I’ve spent at least $1,000 in corals so far. Definitely not cheap, but it all comes together in the end.

As vetteguy noted, spending some $$ on good solid reliable test kits is a must given your growing coral stock. It's not much in the grand scheme of things and will save you a lot of headaches in the coming months. Managing water chemistry is a must and without reliable testing, you won't have clear line of sight as to what you're doing/changing, etc.
I'd recommend starting there before you spend more money on coral... will save you $$ in the long run!
Just my 2 cents...

 

[Sharkbait19]

Just tested with api:
Nitrate: 0 (for some reason...probably just api)
Phosphate: 2 (another mystery)
pH: 8.3
Calc: 480
kH: 143.2 ppm

I do weekly 30% water changes (I skipped one last week though).
I will definitely look into a better test kit because I never trust what I’m getting from api. Is Salifert or hanna better?

 

[Sharkbait19]

Post water change:

It’s already looking a lot better.

 

[jassermd]

Either Salifert or Hanna. Personal preference and you’ll see both recommendations on R2R
My preference is Hanna as it’s easier to read (My eyesight isn’t what it used to be...)