Jekyll and Hyde coral

[Slawman]

Most of my softies go through a stage where they get covered with algae and basically look dead (and unpleasant). This can last days, weeks or even months. Here is a pic of one coming out of its coma. They then come back as good as new. Does anyone know why they do this and if there is anything I can do husbandry wise to stop it happening or speed it up when it does happen?

 

[fishguy242]

yes is molting period,part of growing in leathers esp toads

 

[Slawman]

yes is molting period,part of growing in leathers esp toads

This is the general opinion however, the coral in the pic has literally doubled in size over 18 months without doing this at all and then bang, it goes into a coma. So what part of growing is this or is it also caused by something going on in my tank?