Cyphastrea Problem!

[Bmore56]

I have had this coral for close to 9 months now. As you can see from the picture it has grown and spread very well. However over the last week the top portion has closed and now appears to be bleaching. Does anyone have a clue what could be effecting it?

78F
1.022
Ammonia -0
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-0
Ph-8.0


The frogspawn and green stylo are still doing great!

 

[Crabs McJones]

1.022 for salinity? has it always been that, it seems kind of low.

 

[Bmore56]

Yea 1.022 to 1.023 is where it has always been. What level do you keep yours at?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Yea 1.022 to 1.023 is where it has always been. What level do you keep yours at?

mine sits around 1.025 - 1.026
Any changes in lighting?

 

[Bmore56]

Not to the display tank but the light Im the sump did burn out and I have yet to replace.. the chaeto is starting to wilt.. could this cause a problem?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Not to the display tank but the light Im the sump did burn out and I have yet to replace.. the chaeto is starting to wilt.. could this cause a problem?

Being that you stated all your levels are either 0 or near non detectable I wouldn't think so. What type of lighting are you using? T5 LED or Metal Halide?

 

[Bmore56]

LED.. AI prime hd. I just don't know why it would flourish for so long and then for no reason just bleach

 

[Crabs McJones]

LED.. AI prime hd. I just don't know why it would flourish for so long and then for no reason just bleach

Anything near it that could be upsetting it?

 

[Bmore56]

Anything near it that could be upsetting it?

Not really... soft coral is the only near it but is still 4" away

 

[Crabs McJones]

Not really... soft coral is the only near it but is still 4" away

#reefsquad

Hopefully someone from the squad may have a better idea.

 

[Bmore56]

#reefsquad

Hopefully someone from the squad may have a better idea.

I think i may take a water sample to my LFS... maybe there is something else to test for.

 

[jsker]

I would suggest bring the salinity up to 1.025 and raising you nitrates to 3 to 5 pmm by feed a rich frozen with some reef nutrition oysterfest. I would also add a few drops of vitamin c to help.

Basicly your salinity is low and and not getting enough minerals also it is starving for the lack on nutrients

 

[tupes]

What are your phosphate levels?

 

[BoomCorals]

I would suggest bring the salinity up to 1.025 and raising you nitrates to 3 to 5 pmm by feed a rich frozen with some reef nutrition oysterfest. I would also add a few drops of vitamin c to help.

Basicly your salinity is low and and not getting enough minerals also it is starving for the lack on nutrients

I'd say this is definitely where to start!

 

[Bmore56]

Thanks so much everyone!

Should I bring the salinity up via water change..or can I take some water out and add salt and poor back In.. or does it matter?

 

[Salty1962]

I have seen this with many trial and errors having to do with Cyphastrea in my tank. The original portion of the coral doesn't like the changes in your system, less resilient, and the newer grow has grown with the changes of your system, more resilient. I've had several frags do this on me, most notably a branching version where the original area of the coral, when I first bought it, had died and the new growth was doing very well and is now a fragged up colony. I don't know for sure that this is what your encountering but it's been my experience several times. As mentioned, you should try to get your salinity up and clear out any dead chaeto algae to eliminate toxins in your tank and get a new sump light to get it going again to remove nutrients. Just some food for thought

 

[Bmore56]

Thanks! Will do. I'll keep everyone updated!

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I would suggest bring the salinity up to 1.025 and raising you nitrates to 3 to 5 pmm by feed a rich frozen with some reef nutrition oysterfest. I would also add a few drops of vitamin c to help.

Basicly your salinity is low and and not getting enough minerals also it is starving for the lack on nutrients

+1

 

[Tahoe61]

Did I miss values for Calcium and Alkalinity? Those values should be the first thing you rule out when trouble shooting an issue with a LPS/stony corals.

 

[Bmore56]

Ok up to 1.024.. New light In the sump. Looks to have stopped bleaching but is still closed up at the top.

Guy at the lfs said they hate light and it's too strong....despite the fact that it has been there and flourished for the last several months.

Going to continue to monitor daily and if it doesn't open up In a week to so think about moving it.

All opinions. Welcome. Thanks for the great help so far!