Cyphastrea Question

[goldenhurricane2]

I've had a cyphastrea frag for about a month. I have it at the bottom of the tank and when I first got it, it's polyps would extend pretty nicely, but lately I've noticed it hasn't been extending them at all... I've spot fed it a couple of times and it didn't extend polyps then either. It's also kind of a light whitish green/blue color (not sure if that really matters).

My parameters are mostly in order (a little high on the phosphates).

Is it dying? If not any ideas why this is happening or what I could do to help it? I really like this coral a lot - it's one of my favorites!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

sounds like its slowing down. try more flow and yes more light.

 

[goldenhurricane2]

Hmmm - I read that they are low light corals, so I was trying to keep it at the bottom of the tank. I have a 55 gallon and run two sb reef lights on 45% blue and 15% white and I also have two supplemental t5 (2 ATI blue+) for additional coverage.

From what I can see all the polyps still look ok... except one of the very edge looks almost hollow.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Hmmm - I read that they are low light corals, so I was trying to keep it at the bottom of the tank. I have a 55 gallon and run two sb reef lights on 45% blue and 15% white and I also have two supplemental t5 (2 ATI blue+) for additional coverage.

From what I can see all the polyps still look ok... except one of the very edge looks almost hollow.

Same here on light. Im in a 55 as well, and have an sb on my lil 30. you actually have a pretty fair amount of light.(ig add some white but hey)
I had mine 6 in from the bottom for the longest time and it languished for a long time. it encrusted just a little. I worked on my flow and I did add substantial amount of light to the tank light,moved the frag now the lil encrusting is been rapidly spreading. Not exploding mind you. and its def not getting blasted. the spot I moved it too encrusted pretty quick as well.

but yea was grumpy for a long time in the tank. if you have detectable or better nutrients and decent alk, I can only suggest light and flow changes. flow a little more than light actually, as stony corals really need it.

 

[goldenhurricane2]

Ok, I'll see if I can move it in a little more high flow area. Thanks for the advice!

Side note - what do you have your lights set at?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Ok, I'll see if I can move it in a little more high flow area. Thanks for the advice!

Side note - what do you have your lights set at?

I use a lux meter.
In the 55 im at about 40,000 lux with 3 ai sol no lenses all channels at 70% (16k kelvin is) so approx 600 par or so at the top of the tank.

Depending on how high your lights are from the top of the tank right now id day your at prob 400 to 500 par at the top(30,000 lux?). and likely 50 to 100 par on the bottom.
you have to figure in the the t5 par factor there. so I just have a little more light than you probably do, esp in the "white".

but if everything else is good, flow.

 

[goldenhurricane2]

My LEDs are around a foot off the water and my t5s are just right above the water.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

My LEDs are around a foot off the water and my t5s are just right above the water.

yea we have prob close to the same par.

 

[goldenhurricane2]

My cyphastrea didn't make it... which sucks because it was my favorite coral. Would it be worth trying again or should I just cut my losses and move on?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I would totally try again. Look back on parameters and flow and light and do the double checks. Then give it another shot. Its possible the last frag just couldnt heal from whatever happend.