New coral opened first day, closed up since?

[TikiBird]

I got a beautiful new coral on Friday. I drip acclimated for an hour and then did a Bayer dip. Rinsed and into the tank. After being in the tank for about an hour, the coral opened up and was stunning.

Since the next morning, it hasn't been opening. I'm very puzzled. I would think if it was unhappy it wouldn't have opened the first day? Any ideas?

 

[Elementalj]

I got a beautiful new coral on Friday. I drip acclimated for an hour and then did a Bayer dip. Rinsed and into the tank. After being in the tank for about an hour, the coral opened up and was stunning.

Since the next morning, it hasn't been opening. I'm very puzzled. I would think if it was unhappy it wouldn't have opened the first day? Any ideas?

I looked as close as I can, and can't see any critters, did anything come off in the dip that you could see?

 

[TikiBird]

I looked as close as I can, and can't see any critters, did anything come off in the dip that you could see?

I didn't see anything in the dip, but it was pretty cloudy so kind of hard to tell.

After looking at it more carefully just now, it's (already!) got some sort of stringy algae on the top of it--would that make it close up, do you think?

 

[Elementalj]

I didn't see anything in the dip, but it was pretty cloudy so kind of hard to tell.

After looking at it more carefully just now, it's (already!) got some sort of stringy algae on the top of it--would that make it close up, do you think?

There's a multitude of reasons to list. Mine kept closed the first few days then they'd open, and disappear. Had nudi's [emoji53] but I haven't seen any since I dipped everyone and cleaned the plugs with a toothbrush.

They like all sorts of light, and water so why don't you start by sharing parameters.

 

[TikiBird]

They like all sorts of light, and water so why don't you start by sharing parameters.

Thanks, @Elementalj!

Ok, here are my stats (according to my API test kit, but I will admit I have trouble reading the results sometimes):

Temp: 78
Nitrate: 0
Phosphate: 0.25? (Here's a pic

)
Calcium: 440
dKH: 10, KH: 179

My urchin is currently messing with the corals (I think he's trying to pick them up!) so they're definitely unhappy now.

This is SO stupid, I know, but I just broke my refractometer somehow so I can't get a salinity reading at the moment! [emoji15][emoji15][emoji15]

Edit to add: I *think* I fixed the refractometer and I recalibrated it, BUT it says my salinity is at 1.022!! [emoji15]

 

[Elementalj]

Thanks, @Elementalj!

Ok, here are my stats (according to my API test kit, but I will admit I have trouble reading the results sometimes):

Temp: 78
Nitrate: 0
Phosphate: 0.25? (Here's a pic

)
Calcium: 440
dKH: 10, KH: 179

My urchin is currently messing with the corals (I think he's trying to pick them up!) so they're definitely unhappy now.

This is SO stupid, I know, but I just broke my refractometer somehow so I can't get a salinity reading at the moment! [emoji15][emoji15][emoji15]

Edit to add: I *think* I fixed the refractometer and I recalibrated it, BUT it says my salinity is at 1.022!! [emoji15]

Have you calibrated the refractometer? The alk is a little high to me, but not lethal. And your phosphate looks to me to be near zero. How old is the tank?

 

[TikiBird]

I did calibrate it just now, but maybe it's possible my solution is too old to be totally accurate?

I sent my spouse to the store to get some water (I use seawater from the shop), because I figured a 10% WC might help? Does that seem OK to you?

The tank is 4 months old. (You'd think in that time I wouldn't be such a total noob still!)

 

[ahiggins]

Without looking at parameters, it looks like the algae growing over top of the polyps is bothering it. Is it cyano?

 

[TikiBird]

Without looking at parameters, it looks like the algae growing over top of the polyps is bothering it. Is it cyano?

I think it is cyano, yes. I've got a bunch of algae of all types, however! [emoji102]

 

[ahiggins]

I think it is cyano, yes. I've got a bunch of algae of all types, however! [emoji102]

Try blowing it off. If it works just make sure it doesn't cover it again and treat the tank with chemiclean. If it doesn't blow off, get in there with tweezer or forceps and pick it off. Almost totally sure that's what's causing your issues. See if they open the next day.

 

[TikiBird]

Try blowing it off. If it works just make sure it doesn't cover it again and treat the tank with chemiclean. If it doesn't blow off, get in there with tweezer or forceps and pick it off. Almost totally sure that's what's causing your issues. See if they open the next day.

Thanks, @ahiggins!! I will do it right now!

 

[ahiggins]

good luck keep us updated

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

lol. one day ill get some of the ugly bits of my tank for ya. cyano, bryo choking the colony, gha bubble algae feather dusters and aiptasia. zoa will open.
just blow it off and let it acclimate.. could be different light and flow as well as alk. id bet light though.
some of my fav local zoa growers have almost more cyano than zoas. thats how they know the water is dirty enough.

Thanks, @Elementalj!

Ok, here are my stats (according to my API test kit, but I will admit I have trouble reading the results sometimes):

Temp: 78
Nitrate: 0
Phosphate: 0.25? (Here's a pic

)
Calcium: 440
dKH: 10, KH: 179

My urchin is currently messing with the corals (I think he's trying to pick them up!) so they're definitely unhappy now.

This is SO stupid, I know, but I just broke my refractometer somehow so I can't get a salinity reading at the moment! [emoji15][emoji15][emoji15]

Edit to add: I *think* I fixed the refractometer and I recalibrated it, BUT it says my salinity is at 1.022!! [emoji15]

id say your closer to 0 than .25. lov api

 

[TikiBird]

lol. one day ill get some of the ugly bits of my tank for ya. cyano, bryo choking the colony, gha bubble algae feather dusters and aiptasia. zoa will open.
just blow it off and let it acclimate.. could be different light and flow as well as alk. id bet light though.
some of my fav local zoa growers have almost more cyano than zoas. thats how they know the water is dirty enough.

id say your closer to 0 than .25. lov api

Hahaha! Thanks @saltyfilmfolks, that does make me feel a lot better!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Hahaha! Thanks @saltyfilmfolks, that does make me feel a lot better!

no sweat. Ive had some serious ups and downs over the years and met some hardcor reefer guys locally. thats eye opening.
And also in fact, I do have a couple downs in the tank RIGHT NOW!

 

[TikiBird]

no sweat. Ive had some serious ups and downs over the years and met some hardcor reefer guys locally. thats eye opening.
And also in fact, I do have a couple downs in the tank RIGHT NOW!

I'm sorry you're having some downs right now, but at least your troubles are comforting to me [emoji23]

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I'm sorry you're having some downs right now, but at least your troubles are comforting to me [emoji23]

Oh no. Im all good. life just presents challenges so I learn more.

heres one for ya.
Maybe this will make you laugh or scratch your head. I have a large chili coral that hasn't opened. Its not dead. its non photosynthetic.
it hasn't opened. for TWO MONTHS. my other one...opens a couple times a week.

 

[TikiBird]

Oh no. Im all good. life just presents challenges so I learn more.

heres one for ya.
Maybe this will make you laugh or scratch your head. I have a large chili coral that hasn't opened. Its not dead. its non photosynthetic.
it hasn't opened. for TWO MONTHS. my other one...opens a couple times a week.

Maybe it's an introvert? Lol [emoji848]

 

[Zero Nitrates]

They will open up with time. Make sure and dip it once a week for 3 weeks. I can see some eggs on it.

 

[TikiBird]

They will open up with time. Make sure and dip it once a week for 3 weeks. I can see some eggs on it.

Omg! [emoji44] I did not see that!