Unhappy Elegance

[randilio1]

My elegance has been looking pretty unhappy for almost 2 months now. Not nearly the size it was when I bought it and stayed strong for about 6 months. Had been direct feeding with reef roids and brine shrimp and it seemed to be really enjoying it. Have since stopped post recession. Anybody any ideas?

 

[absowry]

What are your water parameters? Have you changed lighting or flow?

 

[randilio1]

Well it was sitting down the bottom next to my bubble coral. I thought it might not be getting enough light so it got moved a day or so ago to a lighter area. Params are as follows:

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate <10ppm
Kh 9
Ph 8.2-8.4
Calcium 440ppm

 

[absowry]

Well it was sitting down the bottom next to my bubble coral. I thought it might not be getting enough light so it got moved a day or so ago to a lighter area. Params are as follows:

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate Kh 9
Ph 8.2-8.4
Calcium 440ppm

Where is your salinity?

 

[savageajc]

I've always kept my elegance on the sand bed, they never seem to enjoy being glued on rocks. Dont know why

 

[William Mumford]

I have mine on the substrate and I feed it frozen mysis. They dont need to much light

 

[randilio1]

Where is your salinity?

Apologies. 1.026

 

[randilio1]

I've always kept my elegance on the sand bed, they never seem to enjoy being glued on rocks. Dont know why

Was on the sandbed since I got it. Only been up there a couple days to see if it responds to more light

 

[William Mumford]

I would say leave in the substrate because I have noticed that they like the skeletons covered with sand. I think because we force corals to grow in a place we want them to instead of a place the coral chooses they have some growing issues from time to time. Do you dose phytoplankton? not 100% necessary but can help wake corals up sometimes.

 

[rolyguy7]

Well it was sitting down the bottom next to my bubble coral. I thought it might not be getting enough light so it got moved a day or so ago to a lighter area. Params are as follows:

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate Kh 9
Ph 8.2-8.4
Calcium 440ppm

Which nitrate test kit are you using? Can you post a picture of your nitrate test?

 

[DesertOasis]

Mine really appreciated being in the sand bed. Also what are your phosphate levels? Didn't see that in the post. Tank also looks really new... how long has it been setup?

 

[rolyguy7]

Mine really appreciated being in the sand bed. Also what are your phosphate levels? Didn't see that in the post. Tank also looks really new... how long has it been setup?

I agree. I suspect too much light and possibly too low nitrates. Elegance corals seem to prefer low to medium light and higher level of nitrates. I would keep it on the sand bed or no higher than 2-3” off the sand bed and not directly under LED lights if you have LED. I have 2 in my tank. I keep my nitrates at 20ppm. They are under Hydra 52 off to the side. They get about 80-90 par. They love it. Always puffy.