Why do mushrooms hate me?

briancarterkc · Jun 4, 2016

So, I have a tank successfully keeping a variety of SPS, LPS, and polyps. Galaxia, acropora, frogspawn, hammer, zoanthids, duncan, sponges, Goniopora, etc. But, this is my second round of trying basic red mushrooms and they don't open up and I don't get it. I even lowered my two BML LED to 50% power in case it was light. Is there something mushrooms want that nothing else does? I just don't get it. I've had mushrooms in other tanks and they're so easy usually!

SG: 1.026
Temp: 80F
Alk: 9 dKH
Calc: 430
Nitrates: 2.5
Phosphates: .08
Mg: 1320

chefjpaul · Jun 4, 2016

I have same problem with zoas, the; sps, lps, ricordeas all do well, and my parameters are righ in line with yours.

I just kinda gave up.

Diesel · Jun 5, 2016

Every one has something that just don't do well in your tank.
It can be anything.
Just move on is my advice as your tank must be a knockout with all the other corals on it self.
Can we see a FTS of your tank?

briancarterkc · Jun 5, 2016

Here's a FTS.

And a close up montage of some of my favorites.

Coralfornialiving · Jun 5, 2016

My yumas mushrooms do fine with that alk ca n mg in my tank my water perimeters are around those numbers

Tahoe61 · Jun 5, 2016

Physically where were the mushroom placed within the tank.

Nice tank BTW.

briancarterkc · Jun 5, 2016

Tahoe61 said:
Physically where were the mushroom placed within the tank.

Nice tank BTW.

Well, this time since the mushrooms were on this long stick-shaped rock, I broke the stick in half and put one about mid-height and one near the bottom...neither have much flow around them. I have just had them a couple days now so we will see if one height does better than the other.

And thanks!

Tahoe61 · Jun 5, 2016

Maybe consider putting one piece in a relatively shaded area of the tank, back by that gorgonian on the right or under that ledge next to the orange sponge on the left. Typically when I loose Corallimorphs it's too much light.

briancarterkc · Jun 5, 2016

Tahoe61 said:
Maybe consider putting one piece in a relatively shaded area of the tank, back by that gorgonian on the right or under that ledge next to the orange sponge on the left. Typically when I loose Corallimorphs it's too much light.

I may give that a try. I did dial the lights down a good bit as well but shade doesn't hurt. Thanks.

nwayne567 · Jun 5, 2016

What works best for me is on the actual sand on the very bottom, or on the very bottom in a shaded area or halfway shade/ light and also the spots that I put mine at have very very low water circulation.. Then just give it a day or 2 to adjust and if it doesn't like it then move it again! Sometimes I have to move corals a few times before I see them digging a spot

briancarterkc · Jun 5, 2016

nwayne567 said:
What works best for me is on the actual sand on the very bottom, or on the very bottom in a shaded area or halfway shade/ light and also the spots that I put mine at have very very low water circulation.. Then just give it a day or 2 to adjust and if it doesn't like it then move it again! Sometimes I have to move corals a few times before I see them digging a spot

I'll have to go close to the bottom but not on it. Any loose frags on the sand get stolen by Captain Hook (my pistol shrimp) and added to the pirate's booty in his cave. He's currently got a small zoa plug and a feather duster in there, both thriving...

Run4Fun · Jun 5, 2016

Awesome looks like TBS rock. Beautiful.

briancarterkc · Jun 5, 2016

Run4Fun said:
Awesome looks like TBS rock. Beautiful.

Thanks! Yes, it is from TBS.

nwayne567 · Jun 5, 2016

briancarterkc said:
I'll have to go close to the bottom but not on it. Any loose frags on the sand get stolen by Captain Hook (my pistol shrimp) and added to the pirate's booty in his cave. He's currently got a small zoa plug and a feather duster in there, both thriving...

Hahahahah I know your pain!!! My pistols shrimp steals my snails and small crabs and try's to use them for his treasures also, and when they try to run away he just grabs them again! Pistols shrimps are so funny

briancarterkc · Jun 5, 2016

nwayne567 said:
Hahahahah I know your pain!!! My pistols shrimp steals my snails and small crabs and try's to use them for his treasures also, and when they try to run away he just grabs them again! Pistols shrimps are so funny

Mine does the opposite with hermits. If one wanders into his hideout, he will snap at them. If they don't leave he picks them up and deposits them back outside.