Scoly help

ReefJCB · Feb 5, 2020

I’ve had a nice scoly in my tank for since Oct. This picture was taken Jan 3rd, the 2nd picture was taken today.

As you can see, the mouth is starting to show the skeleton and the sides aren’t as “puffy” as before. This is by far my favorite (and most expensive) coral in the tank and I desperately don’t want to lose it. I’ve been noticing that my Acans are also not as plump as before.

parameters
Salinity: 1.024
Temp: 77 - 78
Alk: 7.6
pH: 8.0
Nitrate: 15
Calcium: 475
Magnesium: 425

I spot feed about twice a week with reef roids or reef chili

Only thing I can think that has changed recently is adding some new corals and a tile fish. I’ve been watching the tilefish like a hawk and have not seen it peck at any corals (or the dang Aiptasia that I got it for).

Any ideas as to what’s going on and what I can do to help?

CoralClasher · Feb 5, 2020

Does he open up when you feed? My Scoly likes pellet fish food.

CoralClasher · Feb 5, 2020

Are you sure about magnesium level. 425 is very low.

GreatSouth BayReefs · Feb 5, 2020

the acan lord behind the scoly in the second pic also looks a little stressed. Something is probably off, but pinpointing the exact problem can be difficult. I have noticed my acan lords like higher nutrients, do you have no3 and po4 readings?

ReefJCB · Feb 5, 2020

Jon Malkerson said:
Are you sure about magnesium level. 425 is very low.

Magnesium is 1425* haha yes totally missed that

Jon Malkerson said:
Does he open up when you feed? My Scoly likes pellet fish food.

There is definitely a feeding reaction with tentacles coming out

ReefJCB · Feb 5, 2020

Customreeftank said:
the acan lord behind the scoly in the second pic also looks a little stressed. Something is probably off, but pinpointing the exact problem can be difficult. I have noticed my acan lords like higher nutrients, do you have no3 and po4 readings?

Acans are definitely not happy. No3 is 15 and I don’t have po4 numbers. I’ve never had a issue with low nutrients though lol

steallife904 · Feb 6, 2020

if my po4 is to low or sky high my LPS let me know. You need to check it. im betting you have had a swing in phosphate and this is there reaction. Test it and see. if you don't have a test kit take a sample to a LFS. If high some GFO in the sump will bring it down. Its hard to bring po4 down with water changes.
About 3 months ago I had an issue all of a sudden with my acans. Couldn't figure out why until I finally sent a sample to ATI. My phosphates where off the chart. I have been reefing for so long and got so used to my phosphates being low I just kinda stopped testing...……..

. Got GFO in the sump, gave the tank a good cleaning by blowing out rocks, stirring the sandbed for a month during each waterchange. Tank bounced right back!