Red Planet no PE...

[ps2cho]

So I bought a 1" small Red Planet frag from the LFS and I have had it for 6 weeks now and there is zero PE. In fact, it looks green, not red at all. Not sure if that is normal...

What can I do to figure out the reason?

1.024 (slowly bring up to .026 refractometer was not calibrated)
78F
440 ca
9.2 dkh
1340 mg
nitrates ~1-2ppm

Thanks!

 

[ps2cho]

forgot to say no pests I quarantined and dipped any and all corals so thats not the reason.

Some of my SPS have plenty of PE, my Monti is growing fine... My signature below has my tank equipment

 

[Newb_reefer1]

if its green it needs more light.

 

[Tahoe61]

if its green it needs more light.

^ Yes.

I would still make sure there are no red bugs.

 

[ps2cho]

Got it. I moved it up a few inches and will see how it does now.

I pulled it out of the water right now and viewed it under the magnifying lens and I don't see anything. I would hope I not anyway since I was careful by using doing immediate dip using Revive, 2wk quarantine and daily inspection then revive once more and into the DT.

 

[D maul]

I had same problem moved it up and more flow week later start getting pe and more color
[/QUOTE]

 

[Tahoe61]

Red bugs will borrow down when you take the piece out of the water. Best bet is to take a marco shot of the coral (while submerged), crop and blow up the image and look for little orange heads. Revive and most dips will not touch red bugs, some may fall off but it's not a preventive or active treatment.

Moving the piece up should help color up, it will probably take weeks so be patient.

 

[ps2cho]

Gotcha. Heres the best photo I can get...my girlfriend has her Nikon D5000 with her currently for the next week. Well...even when I use it my shots suck anyway since I don't know the best way to do the photos.

 

[Stoneyman]

Pretty sure it needs more flow. If possible look for a spot closer to the middle of the tank

 

[Pete polyp]

Its not happy that's for sure. Acropora Hyacinthus like high high light and high high flow.

 

[ps2cho]

Happy to report there is PE already!! Wow that was fast....easier than I expected too. I guess it really was just a lack of light.

This is the only other coral that I am having problems with. Do you guys have a diagnosis on this one?

It was happy until a massive alk swing of 9 to 6 during a vacation: Is it a goner?

 

[Tahoe61]

That is a Digitata. Montipora Digitata do not show the same type of polyps. The Digitata looks like it needs more light as well.

 

[Pete polyp]

It probably had more to do with the flow than the light. The increase of intensity of light should result in it turning red if you have enough

 

[ps2cho]

I went ahead and turned up my LED from 40 to 45% to see as it seems the common theme might be not enough light...

Is there a thread somewhere that shows how to figure out the best placement of frags?

Wish someone close to me had a par meter too so I could get some real numbers...

 

[ps2cho]

Wanted to update regarding the Red Planet.

It is starting to turn from Green to Red already after 3 days now higher in the tank. Polyps are out and it seems MUCH happier. Since it was kind of a sudden change, what are typical things that signify TOO MUCH light?

I'd take a photo, but I have a bacterial bloom from a little heavier feeding recently Started dosing vinegar in the ATO with my kalk too, so could that be that also, who knows.

 

[Pete polyp]

Acropora Hyacinthus like high high light and high high flow.
Blast that bad boy! If it starts to turn pale or browns out then its not happy. I think its really liking its new space. Probably shouldn't change a thing.

 

[Tahoe61]

Once it's acclimated to the light you really can not give it too much, as long as you acclimate. Upper branches will be red/pink with white base, the lower branches should have the green base. Lower light green, higher light the green fades out to white. I do not believe in blasting the coral, higher flow but not directly in front of flow source.

Brightest light, metal halide.

Notice the green base in lower intensity lighting, same piece.

 

[Pete polyp]

Well no, not 3" in front of the powerhead or anything like that.... But more flow than most corals including most sps prefer. The blast comment was more towards light. Sorry I didn't specify.

 

[Tahoe61]

Well no, not 3" in front of the powerhead or anything like that.... But more flow than most corals including most sps prefer. The blast comment was more towards light. Sorry I didn't specify.

That's fine.

My personal experience is that I have blasted tissue off branches under too much flow, nothing even extreme.

BTW ps2cho, those images are from a colony that started out the same size as your frag.

 

[ps2cho]

Awesome

I have two Jebao WP25's on 90% (1800gph each) in antisync mode in my 60gal, which works out to be 3600gph for the two / 60g = 60x turnover. With the return pump, its 65x turnover in the DT. Is that good enough?