Karen00
2500 Club Member
It can take awhile for corals to open so there's no reason to panic yet. Can you take pics under white light? It's hard to see under blues. Also provide a full tank shot so we can see the powrheads. That one definitely looks like it's losing flesh. I had one do that but once I got it into a better location it stopped and polyps have come out. It remains to be seen if it heals.
What is your flow like and what are your parameters? Also, how old is the tank? It looks new. I have found gorgonians like dirtier water (meaning higher nutrients) so your levels (phosphate/nitrate) might be too low.
What is your flow like and what are your parameters? Also, how old is the tank? It looks new. I have found gorgonians like dirtier water (meaning higher nutrients) so your levels (phosphate/nitrate) might be too low.
Karen00
2500 Club Member
Nitrates might be a tad too high and phosphates might be too low. The top too don't look bad so they could be acclimating. The one in the sand might not be getting enough flow and the sand might be irritating it. Mine are all off the sand. I'm fairly new to gorgs myself so I can only speak for what works for me. Most like flow but not necessarily flat on their sides. I'm going to tag @dennis romano and @Mortgaged Reefs and @CanuckReefer for extra advice.
CanuckReefer
Simple...Salt, Water, LR, Lighting and Flow.
Agreed on the Nitrates and Phos, we want them down anywhere around 5-20 imo, and a bit of Phos detected. This tank does look very new. Are these the first corals added pretty much I wonder.
Also I am seeing what looks to be almost raging flow on the top of tank ??? I would move that powerhead a bit lower or even better to other side ( and lower) from whatever the outlet is beside it.
I think you hit the nail on the head here with the flow idea Karen.
CanuckReefer
Simple...Salt, Water, LR, Lighting and Flow.
What is the Gorg species , as well the others?
Would need an ID on the gorg. It may appear to be shedding? Also what would u reccomend to do at this point. I ordered some seachem prime to help reduce the shock to the fluctuations of the cycle at this point. Or to at least detofixy it?
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CanuckReefer
Simple...Salt, Water, LR, Lighting and Flow.
If it's fairly fresh out of cycle, I cannot advise unfortunately. My last cycle was 25 years ago lol. The gorg looks photosynthetic to my eyes, which would be a good thing as a starter rather than one needing to be fed. It also has lost significant tissue. This happens to an extent often, but we are missing almost half here. Is this how it arrived or was purchased?
What are the other corals? Are they considered beginner? What is the lighting? As another mentioned that can shock them a bit or not enough....
Rmckoy
7500 Club Member
Tank looks very new .
As for the turbulent water . Mine looks similar but not as high of swells .
the one thing I would consider turning them down a few notches is blowing sand to irritate corals , or even blasting everything with too much flow .
I doubt it would be too much of a issue though .
think of on a shallow reef
Nature can’t turn down flow ,
And some corals do get pounded with surge waves
As long as everyone can swim , there is no sandstorm …. It might be ok
as for nitrates. My target and range is 5-10ppm
Typically closer to 2.5-5 ppm
Phosphates are less than .03ppm
but depends largely on other parameters .
if you’re keeping alk higher than nsw more
Nutrients isn’t a bad thing .
As for the turbulent water . Mine looks similar but not as high of swells .
the one thing I would consider turning them down a few notches is blowing sand to irritate corals , or even blasting everything with too much flow .
I doubt it would be too much of a issue though .
think of on a shallow reef
Nature can’t turn down flow ,
And some corals do get pounded with surge waves
As long as everyone can swim , there is no sandstorm …. It might be ok
as for nitrates. My target and range is 5-10ppm
Typically closer to 2.5-5 ppm
Phosphates are less than .03ppm
but depends largely on other parameters .
if you’re keeping alk higher than nsw more
Nutrients isn’t a bad thing .
Rmckoy
7500 Club Member
What brand of test are you using ?
With 40ppm nitrates . There should be no ammonia .
I’d retest with a trusted test kit to be accurate .
the coral did not arrive like this, no. the coral i have researched does in fact shed normally i believe. the other corals are 3 acans, one zoa, and one tree coral. all beginner corals. i have an AI prime 16HD as my light. I will be adding seachem prime tomorrow.
Rmckoy
7500 Club Member
I don’t know if cheaper compared to api is available . But affordable and accurate id recommend salifert
andrewt258
New Member
Im no expert but maybe the flow is too strong judging from the photo? and the tank is not quite cycled yet?
