HELP once again required

[PaulSalley3099]

Hi guys and gals, once again I need to turn to you for advice.

I have what I believe is an Open brain coral, but unlike all my other corals, it seems to be struggling. It has always had two areas of slight tissue resection, however these are getting bigger, and i have now noticed that its hard lower half also appears to be breaking down now.

My water parameters are all good except Nitrate which I do struggle with and seems to float around the 20 mark, but my understanding is that should actually be beneficial to coral??

I have tried spot feeding with frozen food with the pumps off over the last few weeks, I struggle with my tang, wrasse and cleaner shrimp nicking the food straight from the coral.

The coral is in the sand below a blue and a white T5 bulb (the pic gives an idea of the light its subjected to,) and about 15" from a small power head, so it gets gentle flow over it.

Its clearly deteriorating, any advice gratefully received.

 

[jsker]

If I may ask, can you please provide your parameters.

You might try spot feeding. Some time certain corals need more food than other.

 

[inktomi]

You can use the top of a 2 liter soda bottle (cut off) to feed it while keeping fish away. It lets you cover the coral, but still get access from the top to add mysis or whatever you want to use for food.

 

[jsker]

I would suggest looking into reef nutrition's oyster feast. The mysis are large food particles are harder for corals digest. When I make my own food I mix in oyster feast and ROE.

 

[PaulSalley3099]

You can use the top of a 2 liter soda bottle (cut off) to feed it while keeping fish away. It lets you cover the coral, but still get access from the top to add mysis or whatever you want to use for food.

You sir are a genius!! 1 feed with the bottle top over it to keep the fish off, and I have a different, very puffed up happy looking coral already, check out the image, compared to the one yesterday!!

You can use the top of a 2 liter soda bottle (cut off) to feed it while keeping fish away. It lets you cover the coral, but still get access from the top to add mysis or whatever you want to use for food.

 

[PaulSalley3099]

Thank you all for your replies. Cutting off the top of a large bottle and feeding the coral through it, therefor keeping the fish, shrimps and hermits at bay, has made an almost immediate difference, (its actually had a chance to consume its food.)

Hopefully I can turn the coral around, so it can flourish like its should do.

Cheers

Paul.