Out of ideas...(moon brain)

Eienna · Feb 5, 2014

Okay, so I'm about at my wits' end with this one. I bought it browned, and while it got its color back, it seems to be receding.

I can't figure this one out. It has completely refused to react to anything I've tried to feed it, and that's a lot of things - mysis, pellets, coral smoothie, brine shrimp, bloodworms, goniopower, ova, Rod's,even nori (just to see what would happen). Nitrate is 5, phosphate 2, both higher than I'd like but still respectable. SG 1.025. I'll post a full rundown of params and a photo when I get home. I'm out of ideas. It puffed up a little last week and I thought it might be on the mend, but it just went downhill again. I used seachem reef dip once before in case it's an infection, and again today...I don't have fragging tools but I went ahead and cut out the dying spots today while it was in the dip. Any other ideas? >.<

Eienna · Feb 5, 2014

I would say flow is low-medium, maybe strong in places...it's in medium right now...even with the flow all turned off it won't open.

Light is SeaStar double strip led (white/blue) 24"(?) from lampcraft.

It didn't help that the aiptasia was stinging it for a while >.< I think I've finally got them all off, though.

Reefing Madness · Feb 5, 2014

2 is way to high for corals. Under .09 and your in the ballpark. My LPS doesn't like it at 1

ritter6788 · Feb 5, 2014

Got a pic of it?

You said phosphates are 2? What test are you using and how is that reading measured?

Eienna · Feb 5, 2014

Reefing Madness said:
2 is way to high for corals. Under .09 and your in the ballpark. My LPS doesn't like it at 1

The odd part is that my leptastrea's growth has been exponential. That one I can feed, though.

ritter6788 said:
Got a pic of it?

You said phosphates are 2? What test are you using and how is that reading measured?

I'll take one when I get home.
I hate to admit it, but all I have is the api reef master kit. :/
I'll try to get a photo when I get home. My phone camera's a pain in the butt, though.

I just hatched an idea. If I put my filter sock so it's partially hanging in the water, could I put in some lanthanum chloride in it? Would that work safely enough?

Eienna · Feb 5, 2014

Oh, DUH. I have some phosguard. I'll try that.

ritter6788 · Feb 5, 2014

The API isn't accurate enough IMO for phosphates BUT,

If you are getting a reading with the API test kit your phosphates are very high and you would likely have nuisance algae infestation.

It could be as simple as it was an unhealthy coral to begin with. If everything else in your tank is fine I wouldn't go doing anything drastic. Sometimes an unhealthy coral just never recovers.

Reefing Madness · Feb 5, 2014

Yea, with the API, you don't want it to change color at all when you add step 2.

mike007 · Feb 5, 2014

ritter6788 said:
The API isn't accurate enough IMO for phosphates BUT,

If you are getting a reading with the API test kit your phosphates are very high and you would likely have nuisance algae infestation.

It could be as simple as it was an unhealthy coral to begin with. If everything else in your tank is fine I wouldn't go doing anything drastic. Sometimes an unhealthy coral just never recovers.

I totally agree some corals just don't do good no matter what you do.

Eienna · Feb 5, 2014

At least I don't feel so bad about it now. The guy at the store said it didn't open for them either. Maybe it just wasn't okay. I really want to salvage it, because I hate killing anything...but I'm not sure I can. We shall see...and I'll keep trying until there's nothing left (or someone with more experience takes it on.) I'm stubborn that way.

I am glad I for one thing - I won't be out a wad of cash if it doesn't make it. It was only $10.

I will add the phosguard tonight and see what happens. I won't add the whole amount at once, though. Don't want to shock the coral that's doing well.

Eienna · Feb 7, 2014

Well, I just finally got home at 11pm tonight...
NOT testing right now. Soooo tired. I did add the phosguard; I used exactly half the recommended amount, so I'm hoping that will bring the phosphate levels down gently.
I had moved the coral about 5-6" closer to the lights before I left. The lights are already off for the night so it's difficult to tell, but it looks substantially puffier. I'm hopeful.

Eienna · Feb 10, 2014

Ha...I derped.
Why I thought a tablespoon equals 1/4 is beyond me. Possibly from being overtired. I checked my phosphate today and it was still reading two. I thought, boy, it must be way over two...I should probably add more. I looked at the directions again and it hit me that I'd made a major measurement error. At least it was towards less rather than more, I guess.

I had to move the frag back down. It appeared to be beginning to bleach.

Eienna · Feb 10, 2014

Oh yeah, and it hadn't actually puffed the other night

I've run into something interesting. I figured it was just coincidence last time, but now it's happened again. When I dose Vita-Chem (I've only done this twice so far, and I only have the FW version but I'm trying it anyway), the moon puffs up and looks much happier!! Still won't feed yet, but maybe the vita-chem will be the key to bringing this one back to health! ♡

My first dose was about three weeks ago (I was gone a lot and forgot) and my second was yesterday. Let's see if I can get a half-decent photo!

Eienna · Feb 10, 2014

My best try at a photo:

I know I have too much algae on the sand bed, but it's been diminishing since I added the PhosGuard.

Connie · Feb 10, 2014

Have you checked it after lights out to see if it is extending feeders? If it is, try feeding it Mysis or pellets. I know...that means staying up late...lol

Eienna · Feb 10, 2014

Connie said:
Have you checked it after lights out to see if it is extending feeders? If it is, try feeding it Mysis or pellets. I know...that means staying up late...lol

I have....I've been up a loooong time (well into the morning) on several occasions waiting for it. Nothing.

Eienna · Feb 22, 2014

Well, the frag's looking pretty good. It still won't eat, but it's getting some very bright, almost neon green on the tips of the newest/smallest polyps, so I suspect it's starting to grow. I've been keeping up with the vita-chem and plan to continue since I got that kind of result. W00t!! I guess all it needed was a little vitamin therapy of sorts. Even if it isn't actively growing like I think, it's definitely stopped receding, so still good news.

slapshot · Feb 22, 2014

Brains hate PO. You might consider another approach. 2 is very high! Lanthium Cloride is one but takes work. If your really at 2 your rocks are saturated. It will take a long time to get down.

Eienna · Feb 22, 2014

slapshot said:
Brains hate PO. You might consider another approach. 2 is very high! Lanthium Cloride is one but takes work. If your really at 2 your rocks are saturated. It will take a long time to get down.

Last I checked it was down to 1. Gotta test again...it has been about a week since I last tested after adding PhosGuard.

Reefing Madness · Feb 22, 2014

With phosphates high, anything you put in there to absorb it will exhaust quickly. So Im going to take a shot at this and say your number probably hasn't changed, but maybe dropped one point, ya need to change it out every couple of days until your at your desired number.