Please help. Fox coral

BARNAKEWLZ · Apr 4, 2016

I am having a hard time getting the coral happy. I received it from a lfs and it was not doing to well. No matter where I place it. It seems to be slowly dying. Any suggestions?

kireek · Apr 9, 2016

There could be a couple of things going on here.How long have you owned the coral? What other animals are in the aquarium? And most importantly,what are your water parameters?

Tab28 · Apr 9, 2016

I see a sebae behind it. What wattage is it under? If an anemone is happy wedged in a corner on sand bed. The fox may be getting too much light.

kireek · Apr 10, 2016

Also @keefzreefz could you please briefly describe your system? It would help us assist you better.

BARNAKEWLZ · Apr 11, 2016

Thank you for the response @kireek
This is a old photo. This was a 15 gallon column w/ a HOB filter running carbon and chemipure blue. The anemone had a new home. I have recently move the whole tank over to a 24 gallon fluval AIO. I run a fluval nano skimmer with chemipure blue, carbon, phosgaurd, and recently purigen. I do weekly water changes with distilled water. My tap water has high nitrates (around 30)

My water perimeters are:
Ph- 8.1
Ammonia- 0
Nitrite- 0
Nitrate- 20 (trying to get it down with water changes)
Calcium- 440
Alkalinity- 9
Magnesium- ?? ( test should arrive soon)

I also have 4 low powered nano circulation pumps, 2 in front always on. 2 in the back at pulse back and forth every 30 seconds.

I also dose calcium, all, and reef snow every week with brightwell products

It seems that not matter where I move it to it still is declining from the second I got it

BARNAKEWLZ · Apr 11, 2016

Forgot to mention I have a kessil a160 about 6" above the water level. It is on a timer with only a hour out of the day that it is maxed out at a 100% power. It is on for 12 hrs the first and last thirds of the day are on 20% or less power

kireek · Apr 11, 2016

If it has been a really long time since you saw any polyp extension,then that is not a good sigh.Your water parameters look okay to me me.I try to keep my nitrates at 10-15ppm.Try not to move the coral anymore than necessary.Every time you do it will stress out a little bit.I am not certain about your lighting.However,it does look like it may be hiding from the light so to speak.I would suggest finding it a nice medium light and low-medium flow area.Make sure nothing is harming it.And if it does extend it's polyps a offer a quality coral food.

BARNAKEWLZ · Apr 11, 2016

It looks like the shell of the coral now. I think it is officially a goner. (A shell of what once was a beauty) I hope to bring it back some how. It never has had polyp extension since day one. Even at the lgs. I will try and get it in a lower flow of the tank. It almost seam the anything that has a hard exoskeleton has a hard time in my tank.

kireek · Apr 12, 2016

It's unfortunate.You have given it good go.LPS can be tricky.You may want to test your water for phosphates on a regular basis.A copper test wouldn't hurt,either.Be sure to write down your test results.This may help you understand your tanks needs in the future.Are there any corals that are doing well for you?

BARNAKEWLZ · Apr 12, 2016

Yes I started out with leathers, zoa, and mushrooms. They have all thrived in the tank. I'll pick up a copper test kit. I do test for phosphates. They are at 0. I almost wonder if there is a miracle dosing that can be done to better the grow of the corals?

kireek · Apr 13, 2016

Good to know that the softies are doing well.You should be able to keep LPS just fine.I would suggest starting with a Favites or a Caulastrea coral,next time.Also,be sure to look into your Magnesium.As far as dosing goes,everyone has a favorite method.I use Bulk Reef Supply 3 part.I am also a big fan of the product FUEL by Aquavitro.

BARNAKEWLZ · Apr 13, 2016

The favites seem really cool. I just have a hector goby that likes to throw sand around on the lower corals. I am going to look into the Caulastrea. They seem amazing. The mag test showed up and it is a refill for the Red Sea test. So I have to either send it back or just buy the actual test kit. Such a bummer.

Tab28 · Apr 13, 2016

Red sea mag test is more accurate, but elso is quicker and easier. It may be off by 50-100 (is is blue enough) but for mag that is not that bad. I have two ghost gobies. Sand on everything. But i use a turkey baster. I love the white sand they give me. Never have red slime algae outbreaks.

kireek · Apr 13, 2016

keefzreefz said:
The favites seem really cool. I just have a hector goby that likes to throw sand around on the lower corals. I am going to look into the Caulastrea. They seem amazing. The mag test showed up and it is a refill for the Red Sea test. So I have to either send it back or just buy the actual test kit. Such a bummer.

A favites will not mind growing on a rock,elevated above the sand.Caulastrea are nice.You should also be able to try a Duncan.That is a bummer about the test kit not arriving.It will be a worthy investment though.

BARNAKEWLZ · Apr 14, 2016

The gobies do a great job cleaning to sand!

I am going tomorrow to the super lfs about a hour away. I'll be sure to look into the corals and the test kit. If it available. I also am looking for a colorful active fish to put in with my clown and goby. Any recommendation?

Tab28 · Apr 15, 2016

The size of your tank will limit the fish. They will start to get mean with each other as they get larger. Small fairy wrasse are a good choice. But only if you have a tight lid. They will jump out. Same for a leopard wrasse. 6 line wrasse are small and colorful but have a nasty attitude.

kireek · Apr 15, 2016

keefzreefz said:
The gobies do a great job cleaning to sand!

I am going tomorrow to the super lfs about a hour away. I'll be sure to look into the corals and the test kit. If it available. I also am looking for a colorful active fish to put in with my clown and goby. Any recommendation?

Tab28 said:
The size of your tank will limit the fish. They will start to get mean with each other as they get larger. Small fairy wrasse are a good choice. But only if you have a tight lid. They will jump out. Same for a leopard wrasse. 6 line wrasse are small and colorful but have a nasty attitude.

It really depends on how large your tank is.A fish will also be more likely to jump if it is overcrowded or harassed.

BARNAKEWLZ · Apr 16, 2016

Thanks for the info. I skipped getting a fish on this trip. Going to try and research some more before taking the dive. With my tank only at 24 gallons with 2 gobies and a clown. I feel it might be enough. I still looking for that perfect tank mate with action and color.

I did pick up a torch, gsp, and the brain that I would like some info on. I would like to know more about the specific name and possible location?

Tab28 · Apr 16, 2016

The first is a trachyphyllia maybe geoffroyi could be radiata. The bottom of the coral will distinguish which it is, but that does not really matter. It is a trachyphyllia or trachy. The torch and star polyps can not be confused. The trachy and torch are both low to low-medium light and medium flow for torch and low flow for trachy. The GSP are carefree almost indestructible. They will quickly grow over everything. So do not place it near anything you do not want covered. It will also grow over other corals. Many people have it grow over overflows. Just need to keep it in check. It will also cover the slits. Stopping water from entering overflow spill.

kireek · Apr 16, 2016

Great advice @Tab28 .I just wanted to add that those open brains like their space.Be sure to give the coral plenty of room to swell up without running into something.Same thing goes for the torch,don't let anything thing touch it,lol.Keep your parameters stable and you should be golden.