Corals didn’t like water change

Dan7575 · Sep 17, 2019

Hi all,

My Corals were looking great until I did the first water change then they just retreated and are being quite slow to come out again. The leather still hasn’t come out at all and it’s been two days and it also looks like it has these shiny patches on it. I know it sounds silly being underwater but it looks like it has wet patches on it is this all normal?

Crabs McJones · Sep 17, 2019

How much water did you change, and what were your parameters before and after?

Purplelobst92 · Sep 17, 2019

Dan7575 said:
Hi all,

My Corals were looking great until I did the first water change then they just retreated and are being quite slow to come out again. The leather still hasn’t come out at all and it’s been two days and it also looks like it has these shiny patches on it. I know it sounds silly being underwater but it looks like it has wet patches on it is this all normal?

Did you measure the alkalinity of the salt mix before adding to the tank ? temp match it? add any additional supplements to the salt mix? was the salinity the same as the tank ?

Dan7575 · Sep 17, 2019

I changed 20% of the water and the parameters were
Ca - 425

Mg - 1240

KH - dkh 7 meq 2.5

NO3 - 5

NO2 - 0

Amonia- 0

PH - 8.2

Salinity 1.025

I haven’t had any time to do more tests but I would be surprised if it could change that much

Purplelobst92 · Sep 17, 2019

Dan7575 said:
I changed 20% of the water and the parameters were
Ca - 425

Mg - 1240

KH - dkh 7 meq 2.5

NO3 - 5

NO2 - 0

Amonia- 0

PH - 8.2

Salinity 1.025

I haven’t had any time to do more tests but I would be surprised if it could change that much

Are these the parameters after the change?

Katrina71 · Sep 17, 2019

Is this the first water change since you got them?

Dan7575 · Sep 17, 2019

Purplelobst92 said:
Did you measure the alkalinity of the salt mix before adding to the tank ? temp match it? add any additional supplements to the salt mix? was the salinity the same as the tank ?

Didn’t test alkalinity of the mix but the water temp and salinity were pretty close if not the same, haven’t added any supplements

Dan7575 · Sep 17, 2019

Purplelobst92 said:
Are these the parameters after the change?

No before

Dan7575 · Sep 17, 2019

Katrina71 said:
Is this the first water change since you got them?

Yes, the first change since they were in

Katrina71 · Sep 17, 2019

Dan7575 said:
Yes, the first change since they were in

It always makes them pout for a bit after a water change. Usually about 30mins- an hour.

Dan7575 · Sep 17, 2019

They are my first corals so don’t know if this is to be expected or if they should just love it immediately and be happy

Purplelobst92 · Sep 17, 2019

It may be from a swing in alkalinity, most salt mixes are not perfect in this department, I almost always have to dose alk solution and test my salt mix before doing a change. could also be from a fast reduction in nitrate but unlikely, I would lean on alk swing corals will be fine they usually take a few days to bounce back from a shift in conditions.

Katrina71 · Sep 17, 2019

If you are still concerned, post pics. Pics and questions are the best way to learn.

Katrina71 · Sep 17, 2019

I looked at what you got recently. Is it your trachy and torch that look pouty?

Dan7575 · Sep 17, 2019

Katrina71 said:
I looked at what you got recently. Is it your trachy and torch that look pouty?

No, both of those look ok now, it’s mainly the leather although it did take a day or so to come out when I first put it in, maybe it’s just sensitive

Katrina71 · Sep 17, 2019

Dan7575 said:
No, both of those look ok now, it’s mainly the leather although it did take a day or so to come out when I first put it in, maybe it’s just sensitive

Yes. If something is off, those 2 corals will be the ones to let you know imo.

najer · Sep 17, 2019

Dan7575 said:
I know it sounds silly being underwater but it looks like it has wet patches on it is this all normal?

Yes that is normal, as above, it will be ok, sounds like it is just sulking and adjusting.

Katrina71 · Sep 17, 2019

I almost forgot to tell you...I use a turkey baster to blow my leathers when they shed. Shedding is normal for them. Mine likes flow blowing across him.

Dan7575 · Sep 17, 2019

It has completely closed up now

Dan7575 · Sep 17, 2019

Katrina71 said:
I almost forgot to tell you...I use a turkey baster to blow my leathers when they shed. Shedding is normal for them. Mine likes flow blowing across him.

Wow that’s a really nice one, what’s that called?