Goniopora not too happy

Amadeux · May 16, 2018

Hi everyone. I've been mostly a reader than a poster in this forum. However, today I decided to begin posting and documenting my tank build. I also want to ask the community about a current situation I'm dealing with for the last couple of months. My goniopora is not happy. It used to display the extended polyps very graciously in the past but now it seems to be retracted. Also, I noticed the polyps are slowly dying. I placed it on a frag platform closer to the top so that it gets better light, but the polyps keep dying. Am I doing anything wrong?

Water params as of 5/14/2018:
NO2: 0.00 ppm
NH3: 0.00 ppm
NO3: 10 ppm
KH: 7.3 dKH
PO4: 0.09 ppm
Salinity: 1.025 ppm
pH: 8.3
Ca: 470 ppm
Mg: 1380 ppm

This was on 2/3/2017

This was earlier today (5/15/2018)

By the way, the one behind is also having problems but it's looking better since I put it on the frag platform.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Crabs McJones · May 16, 2018

Amadeux said:
Hi everyone. I've been mostly a reader than a poster in this forum. However, today I decided to begin posting and documenting my tank build. I also want to ask the community about a current situation I'm dealing with for the last couple of months. My goniopora is not happy. It used to display the extended polyps very graciously in the past but now it seems to be retracted. Also, I noticed the polyps are slowly dying. I placed it on a frag platform closer to the top so that it gets better light, but the polyps keep dying. Am I doing anything wrong?

Water params as of 5/14/2018:
NO2: 0.00 ppm
NH3: 0.00 ppm
NO3: 10 ppm
KH: 7.3 dKH
PO4: 0.09 ppm
Salinity: 1.025 ppm
pH: 8.3
Ca: 470 ppm
Mg: 1380 ppm

This was on 2/3/2017

This was earlier today (5/15/2018)

By the way, the one behind is also having problems but it's looking better since I put it on the frag platform.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

What temperature and what lighting is it under? How much flow is it receiving?

Amadeux · May 16, 2018

crabs_mcjones said:
What temperature and what lighting is it under? How much flow is it receiving?

It used to be located on the bottom center of the tank where you can now see a bright spot. Now it is on the small platform on the right as I want to really try to heal it. The temperature is between 78° and 79°

Amadeux · May 16, 2018

I have two Kessil A360W that run dawn to dusk controlled by the Apex. Max intensity at peak is 60.

BigJim · May 16, 2018

How long ago did you move them to the frag rack? It looks a lot like it was getting stung by the torch. They also tend to retract if they are getting too much flow. I think that is what crabs_mcjones was getting to when asking about flow. I would try placing it in that bottom center spot you have, but make sure it is not too close to the torch coral.

mckinney0171 · May 16, 2018

i had a goniopora same color do the same thing over time - slowly melted down over a period of a year and half. i was never able to understand why it happened either. i would love to find out more. jumping on this one.

Amadeux · May 16, 2018

BigJim said:
How long ago did you move them to the frag rack? It looks a lot like it was getting stung by the torch. They also tend to retract if they are getting too much flow. I think that is what crabs_mcjones was getting to when asking about flow. I would try placing it in that bottom center spot you have, but make sure it is not too close to the torch coral.

The picture where the goni looks healthy is from a while back, when I first got it. Shortly after I glued it there, I noticed that the torch was stinging it, so I moved it to the place I mentioned before, the bright spot on the bottom near the center. It was fine for about a year until I began to notice that it wasn't extending the polyps like before. Two days ago, I moved it to the frag rack to 1) put it closer to the light, and 2) feed it directly with Reef Chili.

TheLadyCrash · May 17, 2018

From experience and anecdotal evidence on the forums, most gonis don’t seem suited for aquarium life. It seems like more often than not they do ok for a period of time but then just slowly decline until they melt away.

flowflezy · May 17, 2018

Just needs the correct flow, no getting stung, and last make sure u are feeding it. They are pigs and grow pretty well for me when I keep up on the feeding.

Amadeux · May 19, 2018

flowflezy said:
Just needs the correct flow, no getting stung, and last make sure u are feeding it. They are pigs and grow pretty well for me when I keep up on the feeding.

Thank you for the advice. Am I doing OK by feeding it with Reef Chili or do you recommend something else?

ruppertb · May 19, 2018

Hey just saw your post. Wanted to comment because my sons name is Amadeus. Just saying hello

flowflezy · May 19, 2018

Reef chili or goniopower soak the stuff in tank water for a few minutes turn off all pumps and spot feed them. They will close when eating.

Amadeux · May 20, 2018

flowflezy said:
Reef chili or goniopower soak the stuff in tank water for a few minutes turn off all pumps and spot feed them. They will close when eating.

How often should I do this?