Plate coral health?

Marine430 · Nov 8, 2018

I've had a plate coral for almost 8 years for some reason it's starting to bleach around the sides anybody know what could be going on in my tank?
Phosphate 0.13
PH 7.8
Nitrate 0
Dkh 12

James M · Nov 8, 2018

Pictures?

Marine430 · Nov 8, 2018

Around the edges

DSC reef · Nov 8, 2018

That's some tissue recession. Any changes in the tank recently, swings in chemistry, different flow pattern? If it continues I'd try dipping it in an iodine based dip like seachem reef dip.

Marine430 · Nov 9, 2018

I had to replace my bio wheel 2 -3 weeks ago. I don't know if that would upset my water chemistry? My tank has been really great the last year

DSC reef · Nov 9, 2018

I doubt that will upset the plate. It could be nothing as well. We eventually went bare bottom in the 75 and had a plate for many years. When there was sand in the tank I noticed some skeleton on the edges of the plate coral. Just keep an eye out for further tissue recession.

roberthu526 · Nov 10, 2018

How about nitrate level? I noticed that some of my plates don’t like any nitrate in the water. Anything above 5 would upset them.

Weedy Sea Dragon · Nov 10, 2018

We got one several months ago and it was doing fine until our scooter blenny started kicking up sand on it. Then it started doing the same thing as yours. We moved it into a area with lower flow and shielded it off with a piece of rock and it rebounded and is growing nicely now.

We were also told that if it ever dies we should leave it alone and eventually new babies will sprout from skeleton. Does anyone know if that is true?

DSC reef · Nov 10, 2018

It is true, even if the plate seems to die keep it in the tank.

Weedy Sea Dragon · Nov 10, 2018

Actually I may be wrong. I think we have a disc coral. Or are they the same thing?

Here's a pic....

DSC reef · Nov 10, 2018

@Weedy Sea Dragon you have a plate coral. Ours preferred some nutrients in the water.

Muttley000 · Nov 10, 2018

I would raise those nitrates off zero. How did you get them there?

najer · Nov 10, 2018

I would say move it to less flow, the last time I moved mine it sulked for about 2 months!

DSC08340 by sshipuk, on Flickr

jp_75 · Nov 10, 2018

somehow i can’t keep any scolys and plates. it doesn’t matter if nitrates are 10 or 25! they thrive for couple months than slowly show skeleton.i think you have to feed them very often!
few months ago saw a tank with mainly sps and 3-4 plates on bottom. high flow,intense light and sand on them! person feeds his tanks every day!

roberthu526 · Nov 10, 2018

najer said:
I would say move it to less flow, the last time I moved mine it sulked for about 2 months!

DSC08340 by sshipuk, on Flickr

WOW I didn’t know they could be so sensitive! Mine has been in the tank for about two months now and it just recedes then bounce back then recedes again. Not sure what’s going on.

Marine430 · Nov 10, 2018

roberthu526 said:
How about nitrate level? I noticed that some of my plates don’t like any nitrate in the water. Anything above 5 would upset them.

They tested 0

DSC reef · Nov 10, 2018

Marine430 said:
They tested 0

That could be a problem. Every tank is different but IME LPS don't like to clean of water and occasional feedings.

Marine430 · Nov 10, 2018

I have noticed that most soft and lps like "dirty water " it's puffed up today I will try spot feeding it. My clowns used to use it but they moved on to my big mushrooms.

DSC reef · Nov 10, 2018

Marine430 said:
I have noticed that most soft and lps like "dirty water " it's puffed up today I will try spot feeding it. My clowns used to use it but they moved on to my big mushrooms.

That's interesting too, maybe the clowns were starting to irritate the coral. That plate will appreciate some meaty foods. It's amazing how fast they can get the food to there mouth.