Frogspawn extending way less and has algae growing on it.

[Dominic M]

Hello fellow reefers,

I got my first coral a few weeks ago and they had been doing great especially the frogspawn extended a lot and appeared to have some growth. Picture...

After that I moved it couple inches to the left because it started to tip over a bit in the spot it was in. A couple days after that it closed up a ton and then I woke up one morning and my red montipora cap (looked healthy) had a big white colored corner and algae growing on it. Picture of what it looks like today (3 days later)....

Then today when looking at my frogspawn I observed some algae growing along the bottom of the white colored tissue and the back stalk. Picture...

Its not too noticeable on camera but you can see some algae on the stalk and how closed up it is so im worried that it will die like my montipora did and am wondering how I can save it.
Tank parameters- Ammonia: little under 0.25 Nitrite: 0 Nitrate: Barely detectable amount PH: 8 KH: 8 Calcium: 400-420 Phosphate: 0 Mg: 1410-1500

Please help and thanks, Dominic

 

[Dominic M]

Also im leaving for a trip tomorrow so this is kinda urgent.

 

[Frogspon]

you've circled that spot so large I can't see what you're talking about...

 

[tehmadreefer]

Tank looks awfully young to put any coral in... not a good combo and most likely they will perish.

 

[tehmadreefer]

And if you actually have ammonia, tank is definitely not ready for livestock...

 

[IslandLifeReef]

Hello fellow reefers,

I got my first coral a few weeks ago and they had been doing great especially the frogspawn extended a lot and appeared to have some growth. Picture...

After that I moved it couple inches to the left because it started to tip over a bit in the spot it was in. A couple days after that it closed up a ton and then I woke up one morning and my red montipora cap (looked healthy) had a big white colored corner and algae growing on it. Picture of what it looks like today (3 days later)....

Then today when looking at my frogspawn I observed some algae growing along the bottom of the white colored tissue and the back stalk. Picture...

Its not too noticeable on camera but you can see some algae on the stalk and how closed up it is so im worried that it will die like my montipora did and am wondering how I can save it.
Tank parameters- Ammonia: little under 0.25 Nitrite: 0 Nitrate: Barely detectable amount PH: 8 KH: 8 Calcium: 400-420 Phosphate: 0 Mg: 1410-1500

Please help and thanks, Dominic

The first question I have is what kind of flow is the frogspawn in? I would suggest moderate. Second, what kind of lighting are you using and what is the size of the tank? Third, how long ago did your tank finish its cycle?

That frogspawn doesn’t look like a goner to me. It just looks a little stressed. I can’t see any algae on it from that picture, but it shouldn’t be an issue if it is at the location you circled as long as there isn’t any damage to the coral there.

Try feeding it a little with frozen food (thawed of course) or a little coral food. Spot feeding with the flow turned off for about 15 minutes will give it a chance to eat the food. Try doing this once a week or once every two weeks.

 

[Dominic M]

you've circled that spot so large I can't see what you're talking about...

I couldent circle smaller sorry theres little algae hairs along the backside of the stalk

 

[Dominic M]

The first question I have is what kind of flow is the frogspawn in? I would suggest moderate. Second, what kind of lighting are you using and what is the size of the tank? Third, how long ago did your tank finish its cycle?

That frogspawn doesn’t look like a goner to me. It just looks a little stressed. I can’t see any algae on it from that picture, but it shouldn’t be an issue if it is at the location you circled as long as there isn’t any damage to the coral there.

Try feeding it a little with frozen food (thawed of course) or a little coral food. Spot feeding with the flow turned off for about 15 minutes will give it a chance to eat the food. Try doing this once a week or once every two weeks.

Moderate to low flow, Its polyps wave around but its not getting hammered by the flow. Tank is a standard 29 gal. Lighting is a viparspectra 165watt haven't tested par just am running it at levels it was doing well at and what other reefers recommended. End of October it had finished cycling.

Looks normal just has a couple algae hairs and some along the base and the bottom of the white flesh.

Ill give that a try tonight.

 

[tehmadreefer]

Moderate to low flow, Its polyps wave around but its not getting hammered by the flow.

Looks normal just has a couple algae hairs and some along the base and the bottom of the white flesh.

Ill give that a try tonight.

Doesn’t matter since you have ammonia, your tank isn’t cycled... even if in the remote chance it is cycled and due to faulty testing, tour tank is simply way to new...

 

[Dominic M]

Doesn’t matter since you have ammonia, your tank isn’t cycled... even if in the remote chance it is cycled and due to faulty testing, tour tank is simply way to new...

Don't most tanks have a small amount of ammonia all the time, I also had one of my Astraea snails bite the dust so that could've contributed? I tested the water and saw the parameters swing in the way they were supposed to and then come back down correctly. When is not too new and when is a tank cycled?

 

[tehmadreefer]

Don't most tanks have a small amount of ammonia all the time, I also had one of my Astraea snails bite the dust so that could've contributed? I tested the water and saw the parameters swing in the way they were supposed to and then come back down correctly. When is not too new and when is a tank cycled?

No they don’t always have ammonia. No noobies to the saltwater side of fish tanks should add any corals for at least 3 months in, unless one likes throwing mo why in the drain literally. A tank doesn’t become mature for at least almost a year. Live rock can speed this up but looking at your rocks, they are bleach white so that tells me you used dry rock. Your cycle is complete when you see zero ammonia and some nitrates/phosphates.
Another good indication of a tank that is ready for coral is the absence of diatoms and the proliferation of pineapple sponges, pods, bristle worms, etc.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Coral like this one should not be placed until 70-90 days
You will need to do a massive water change to offer it any chance of survival while you take your trip
Are you using RODI water or tap water from faucet?
What test kits are you using ?

There are noticeable high and low levels with your parameters. Some targets are:

Temp 77-79
ph 8.2
Salinity 1.025
nitrate < .04
Phosphate < .04
Ammonia > .03
alk 8-9
Mag 1300
CA 440

Moderate light and water flow

I suspect youre using an API test kit which would be giving false numbers as these Zero's for a new tank is near impossible

 

[Dominic M]

No they don’t always have ammonia. No noobies to the saltwater side of fish tanks should add any corals for at least 3 months in, unless one likes throwing mo why in the drain literally. A tank doesn’t become mature for at least almost a year. Live rock can speed this up but looking at your rocks, they are bleach white so that tells me you used dry rock. Your cycle is complete when you see zero ammonia and some nitrates/phosphates.
Another good indication of a tank that is ready for coral is the absence of diatoms and the proliferation of pineapple sponges, pods, bristle worms, etc.

Thanks, im also 3 months in

 

[Dominic M]

Coral like this one should not be placed until 70-90 days
You will need to do a massive water change to offer it any chance of survival while you take your trip
Are you using RODI water or tap water from faucet?
What test kits are you using ?

There are noticeable high and low levels with your parameters. Some targets are:

Temp 77-79
ph 8.2
Salinity 1.025
nitrate < .04
Phosphate < .04
Ammonia > .03
alk 8-9
Mag 1300
CA 440

Moderate light and water flow

I suspect youre using an API test kit which would be giving false numbers as these Zero's for a new tank is near impossible

I added them around 12 weeks after I started the tank (84 days)

Did one a week ago still need to do one?

RODI

API (I know its not the best) and Salifert

nice you guessed my test kit, yeah I know its definitely not zero that was just my reading there is probably a small amount of all those things that it read zero for.

So do you have an idea on if the coral can be saved, how to save it, and what the culprit may be?

 

[vetteguy53081]

I added them around 12 weeks after I started the tank (84 days)

Did one a week ago still need to do one?

RODI

API (I know its not the best) and Salifert

nice you guessed my test kit, yeah I know its definitely not zero that was just my reading there is probably a small amount of all those things that it read zero for.

So do you have an idea on if the coral can be saved, how to save it, and what the culprit may be?

Suspected Culprit:
High nitrate and phosphate
Possible false salinity
very high mag (why I suggested water change as well as for ammonia)

Again, there should be ammonia and nitrate in a shy of 3 month tank. Id highly suggest to take a water sample to a trusted LFS which does not use API test kits and have them check water and verify reading and to compare with yours.
Just had someone recently who I suggested water sample to an LFS as his Nitrate was 10 and I suspected higher with his API kit and it was 80 !!! JUST A LITTLE BIT HIGHER THAN 10

 

[Dominic M]

Suspected Culprit:
High nitrate and phosphate
Possible false salinity
very high mag (why I suggested water change as well as for ammonia)

Again, there should be ammonia and nitrate in a shy of 3 month tank. Id highly suggest to take a water sample to a trusted LFS which does not use API test kits and have them check water and verify reading and to compare with yours.
Just had someone recently who I suggested water sample to an LFS as his Nitrate was 10 and I suspected higher with his API kit and it was 80 !!! JUST A LITTLE BIT HIGHER THAN 10

Got it, I didnt know high mag was bad I thought it was good for growth

Yeah ill definitely be doing that and see what their results are

Also update it opened up a some more and I took the algae of the stalk with a new toothbrush (saw it online) and gave it some Mysis shrimp.

Edit: 30 mins after its opening very quickly and looking a lot better

 

[IslandLifeReef]

Got it, I didnt know high mag was bad I thought it was good for growth

Yeah ill definitely be doing that and see what their results are

Also update it opened up a some more and I took the algae of the stalk with a new toothbrush (saw it online) and gave it some Mysis shrimp.

API is notorious for showing ammonia at .25 when it is actually 0ppm. Don’t get spooked. You should be fine as long as you don’t make drastic changes quickly. Getting your parameters checked by a LFS is a good idea, it will either give you confidence in your testing or show you where you need to work on your methods.

 

[Dominic M]

API is notorious for showing ammonia at .25 when it is actually 0ppm. Don’t get spooked. You should be fine as long as you don’t make drastic changes quickly. Getting your parameters checked by a LFS is a good idea, it will either give you confidence in your testing or show you where you need to work on your methods.

Thanks for your reassurance, I don't want my tank to crash and me not to be able to be there and do anything lol. The coral is looking a lot better, ill just do what I can and hope for the best until I get back home and re access the situation.

 

[gmeazy01]

Update? How are your corals?

Thanks for your reassurance, I don't want my tank to crash and me not to be able to be there and do anything lol. The coral is looking a lot better, ill just do what I can and hope for the best until I get back home and re access the situation.

 

[Dominic M]

Update? How are your corals?

My tank exploded help me please

My parameters are... PH: 8 KH: 8 Ammonia: 0.25 Nitrite: 0 Nitrate: 0 Calcium: 400-420 Phosphate: 0 Mg: 1410-1500 I use api test kits (i know there bad) and salifert for mg and Ive had the tank for 3 months I left for a trip on the 20th and had someone check in/feed fish and it had been going...

www.reef2reef.com

This happened unfortunately, as an update to that tho I've been running activated carbon and been doing water changes for a while and my tank is looking normal now so soon ill look into getting a "test subject" to put in to make sure the water is completely safe.