Bowerbanki and micromussa help

[g8rorchid]

I have had my 90g reef set up for 12 years. The corals that I'm concerned about have been in my tank for about a year or so. I started to notice the changes on these corals a couple of days ago. The bowerbanki has white areas and lighter areas. The micromussas look deflated and the feeder tentacles aren't out like they usually are. No new corals or fish have been added in the past month. I have added some peppermint shrimp, an emerald crab, and more blue legs. Calcium is at 410, alkalinity is 5meq/l, pH 8.1

Thanks!

 

[El_Guapo13]

What is that next to the bowerbanki? Rock flower? Could it be getting stung?

Have you noticed anything possibly chomping or at least annoying them, like the peppermint or the emeald?

 

[El_Guapo13]

Also how are your other parameters?

 

[g8rorchid]

The rock anemone is a few inches away from the bowerbanki, so not getting stung. I have not seen any of the shrimp or emerald crab near it. As far as my other parameters, I have high phosphates, but since I have always had high nitrates, I'm going to venture a guess and say that the phosphates have always been high as well. My nitrates are finally under control (for me) and are about 25ppm, phosphates are at 2.0ppm. I tried phosguard, but it has not helped. I only had it in my tank for 4 or 5 days.

 

[CindyKz]

You said you put the phosguard in 4 or 5 dsys ago, and noticed your corals receeding 2 or 3 days ago.

My guess is that you're lowering PO4 too quickly. Have you tested since adding the phosguard?

 

[kireek]

What is that next to the bowerbanki? Rock flower? Could it be getting stung?

Have you noticed anything possibly chomping or at least annoying them, like the peppermint or the emeald?

These would be my first thoughts.Although I would put my money on the peppermint first.Second to the rock flower.

And as always, these problems could be related to a rapid change in water parameters.Hard to know without records though.

 

[g8rorchid]

You said you put the phosguard in 4 or 5 dsys ago, and noticed your corals receeding 2 or 3 days ago.

My guess is that you're lowering PO4 too quickly. Have you tested since adding the phosguard?

Yes, I tested the phosphates and there was no change. I tested after 2 days and then again after 4 or 5 days, phosphates were the same. So, I took out the phosguard at that point which was this past Saturday or Sunday. Tested with a salifert test which I bought a few weeks ago and has an expiration of 12/2020. All other corals look good - anemones, acans, favias.