No luck with Candy Canes.

USMA36 · Dec 29, 2019

No matter how many times I try I have no luck with candy cane corals. Other SPS and LPS are fine. For some unknown reason. These just won't grow or inflate. Temp 79 salt 1.024 mag 1350 calcium 410 alk 8.6 nitrates 5-10 Phosphates .08-.1 so frustrating. They are huge and inflated I'm the tanks I get them from. I've tried low light high light low flow high flow and every combination in between with no luck.

Cory · Dec 30, 2019

Might want to try an icp test to see if something is off

USMA36 · Dec 30, 2019

Just had one back. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Cory · Dec 30, 2019

Check for stray voltage? Maybe try a par meter rental.

Lithoman · Dec 30, 2019

Cory said:
Check for stray voltage? Maybe try a par meter rental.

Are candy cane more sensitive to stray voltage.. as his other coral is fine.. just asking..

Vinman · Dec 30, 2019

Stray volts can be fixed with a ground probe EVERY TANK SHOUID HAVE A GROUND PROBE. No excuses $10 and a life saver

Gorilla4200 · Dec 30, 2019

USMA36 said:
No matter how many times I try I have no luck with candy cane corals. Other SPS and LPS are fine. For some unknown reason. These just won't grow or inflate. Temp 79 salt 1.024 mag 1350 calcium 410 alk 8.6 nitrates 5-10 Phosphates .08-.1 so frustrating. They are huge and inflated I'm the tanks I get them from. I've tried low light high light low flow high flow and every combination in between with no luck.

Mine did that also recently. I moved it to the shade in a corner with low flow and it opened up. No direct light hits it, totally in the shade.

IKD · Dec 30, 2019

i started with one question and it turned to several

How long are they in the tank before you see them start to deteriorate?
Have you tested the water they are coming from? Maybe they’re getting shocked in transition. Do you do any dips before introducing?

Hermie · Dec 30, 2019

IMO they like low flow and med/low light but to be fed meaty foods.
Too high of flow pushes their flesh into the skeleton so IME they prefer low flow so they can inflate freely.

Hermie · Dec 30, 2019

They also need iodine dips/coral dips if there is aggressive algae on their skeleton

USMA36 · Dec 31, 2019

No stray voltage always have a ground probe as well. As far as shock, I don’t know the parameters of the other tanks but mine are where they should be. I’ve tried high and low Light. No luck. They were all under very high light in their previous tanks. Maybe too much flow. I use 2 xf230s on random up t0 90%. The gyres create a lot of flow and not much in the way of dead spots. I also dip With bayer when they were new.

Flippers4pups · Dec 31, 2019

USMA36 said:
No stray voltage always have a ground probe as well. As far as shock, I don’t know the parameters of the other tanks but mine are where they should be. I’ve tried high and low Light. No luck. They were all under very high light in their previous tanks. Maybe too much flow. I use 2 xf230s on random up t0 90%. The gyres create a lot of flow and not much in the way of dead spots. I also dip With bayer when they were new.

How they look after the dip?

vetteguy53081 · Dec 31, 2019

Hmmm - very easy coral.
Moderate light and water flow and food.
salinity at 1.025-1.026, ph 7.9-8.2, and temp of 78-79

tehmadreefer · Dec 31, 2019

they are one of the easiest corals. High low flow or light doesn’t matter... spot feed them and keep algae off them, profit.

Jeeperz · Dec 31, 2019

So mine started with 6 heads 2 years ago. It is now probably 40-60 heads and growing. It's at the top, right by a wave maker, right by some sps that do ok. Too much direct flow I am going to guess is the issue. Mine loves high light, or maybe it's medium light to some. I don't feed any corals besides what they catch when I feed fish. This coral puts it's feeders? Out at night or low light.

Jeeperz · Dec 31, 2019

And your parameters are better than mine. My nano is anything but stable

ScottR · Dec 31, 2019

I have mine in high flow and high light. Started off as 2 heads late summer and now 5 heads. They seem pretty resilient IME. Could a fish or invert be bothering it?

anon9896 · Dec 31, 2019

How was the flow around em? I noticed they like light flow that pulls them up if possible , they dont like to be pushed against their skeleton

reefiniteasy · Dec 31, 2019

Here is how I keep mine. It is kept at the bottom of the aquarium in high flow (where my gyre comes down the glass) in full light, don’t know the par of the bottom though. Mine completely closes at night and reopens and puffs itself up every morning. My parameters are:
1.025 SG
pH - 8.15
NO3 -5ppm
Mg - 1365ppm
Ca - 425ppm
KH/Alk - 8.6dKH
PO4 - .09ppm

robbyg · Dec 31, 2019

I don't know what the issue is but I have found some coral just do not do well in tanks that have some other types of corals. Maybe its some kind of territorial chemical battle going on. I Never found out whats going on, but if they don't do well on the second attempt I just move on.