Need help with my first Coral

[shiv]

Hi guys,

I recently bought my first coral, a torch (with not so long tenticles) from my LFS.

• Before adding it to the tank I drip aclamatised it, followed by Coral Dip and then into the tank (Fluval evo 13 gallon)
• Initial placement was in the corner of the tak on a white plastic base. Which was on the substrate
• After few hours the coral opened up and looked fluffy (14th May to 15th May)

• Then I moved it to a different location (on 16th May)

• Its been about 4 days not in the new location and it is not as fluffy as it was on the substrate

Will be great if anyone can help me on how to get the coral fluffy again. Not sure if I should move it again (cautious not to keep touching it). Help will be much appreciated.

Parameters

• Calcium: 420
• ALk: 9
• Magnesium: 1350
• Salinity: 1.026 or 34
• Lighting: Using AI 16HD prime. Today (20th May) I reduced UV, V, RY and B by 10%. Latest/current values is what you see in the screenshot

• Flow: Using Jebao wavemaker. On else mode and lowest flow

 

[gideon2086]

Not the easiest coral to start with. Torches like medium flow. What are your nitrates abs phosphates?

 

[shiv]

Nitrates: 0
Phosphate: Not sure unfortunately, dont have a test kit. But, I am using Phosguard. So, assuming they are low.

 

[Chefwheredyougo]

get your nitrates up, or you'll be battling dinos soon. LPS like "dirtier" water. Around 10-20ppm

 

[shiv]

how to get nitrates up?

 

[Chefwheredyougo]

I'd pull the phosguard. Do you have any fish or any CUC? If so, feed a bit heavier, or more times per day.

Your tank looks new, its going to get ugly but don't rely on chemicals or other quick fixes. Let your tank do its thing and stabilize.

When your nutrients, both N03 and P04 bottom out, dinos makes an ugly appearance.

 

[shiv]

Its been running since December last year. I have had some green and red cyano. Which i got rid of.

I only have two clown fish and I feed them pellets.

Does low nitrate and Phosphate have an impact on torch opening up?

 

[Chefwheredyougo]

Yes. But the opposite is true as well. Theres a balance you have to find.

 

[Payne Train]

I’m a “refurbished” reefer - did it for a few years a few years ago. Just getting back into the swing of things.
I have a newer tank and my nitrates and phos got really low so I started feeding frozen Mshrimp every evening - more than the usual amount, and I also waited an extra day or so to change my filter floss/filter socks .... I was keeping my tank “too clean” at first, this is how I keep my happy medium . (At least I think it’s a happy medium lol) I may be doing it wrong too.

I also use Red Sea coral salt mix - I believe the nutrients that are in that mix help my corals ... I change 15-20% every 7-10 days ...my few corals really perk up when that happens ...

 

[shiv]

I thought the issue would be more around lighting / placement. As it was doing well for 2 days when it was close to substrate level.

Should I move it again? Or should I let it be for some more time (it has been in the current location for 5 days).

 

[Chefwheredyougo]

No coral like being moved around. So if thats where you like it, then leave it be. If not, put it where you want it and leave it alone. Try to not change things too much, especially you're lighting. It will come around soon enough

 

[shiv]

I am hoping it all works out. Thanks for your help

 

[shiv]

Crap news guys. My two clown fish died this morning and the coral doesn’t look happy at all. Also there is some brown stringy thing surrounding it. No idea what it is and what is happening. Please help

 

[Chefwheredyougo]

Check you ammonia levels asap. That looks like brown jelly disease. If it is, it's pretty much a goner. How did both your fish die?

 

[shiv]

Ammonia is zero. What if it is Dino? Looks stringy and not jelly like.

No idea how clown died they were hiding in the rock and swimming low this morning. And last night they were perfectly normal and eating.

 

[Payne Train]

Sorry to hear the bad news - have you tested everything ... has there been a big change in salinity or water temp ?
how old is your tank ?

 

[shiv]

Up since last December. Parameters are all fine. The stringy stuff only came after adding coral. Was not there before