Coral Issues

[ander88]

Afternoon guys.

Just done a water change and got 2 issues with some pieces of coral at the moment. Had these before water change but thought I'd mention just incase.

One with a Blue Sea Squirt, and one with what I think it Sinularia leather coral (may be something else - Newbie Coral Keeper)

As you can see from the picture below, one sea squirt looks healthy, but the one next to it has went like this within the space of 8 hours, was fine this morning before work, came home and its like this. Has it died, is it dieing and can I save it? If not what is best to do?

In the other picture is the leather. Doin research on the internet looking at loads of pics im pretty confident its a sinularia. The only problem is, it flowered the first day I had it in the tank, but then since its been like this? My other finger leather had off days but never for this long. Any suggestions.

Any help or suggestions on anything is welcome.

Tank parameters (as of half hour ago) are:

SG 1.024
Temp 27 deg
Nitrite 0.1
Nitrate 0.1
PH 8.0
Calc 450
Ammonia 0.1
Alkalinity Normal

All my parameters are always nearly the same apart from the calcium level which goes up and down from time to time. I use a mix of pre-mixed sw from LFS mixed using RO and Red Sea Coral Pro, and home mixes using RO from my filter and Red Sea Normal Salt.



http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=1584&pictureid=13519

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=1584&pictureid=13520

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=1584&pictureid=13521




Last pic is setup, in another post I have, about fixing rocks together someone suggested rocks were too close. that was on old setup, now Ive got more rock and IMO there is space between the rock for flow, I can see the back through nearly ever "join"

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206519 (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206519)

Suggestions still welcome for fixing etc.

Thanks in advance!!



PS. Since typing this post - its taken me ages btw! The seq squirt seems to have perked up........

So Confused!!

[DoctaQ]

no reef tank should ever have amonia or nitrites, thats your main issue, how long has this system been up and running?

[ander88]

since april. my test kites never read lower than 0.1 no matter how often i do water changes

[fsn77]

Sorry... I really have nothing to suggest about the sea squirt, as I've never kept one nor do I personally know anyone that has.

However, I would say that your leather is probably a type of Sinularia. How long have you had it? It's not unusual for leathers to stay closed up for many days, especially when recently added to a tank. Has it shed since you added it? I'm referring to a thin layer of its "skin" in the area where the polyps extend from.

[ander88]

Thats OK, it seems to be have detoriated again since it perked up. Trawling the net but not coming up with much as there are so many different varieties.

I've had it since last Saturday, the squirt, another leather, and 2 sponges were added at the same time. They seem all good. Its not shed a layer that I can see. It tried to flower slightly on monday, but nothing atall since.

[DoctaQ]

how did you start the tank?
did you get live rock from a mature tank?

[fsn77]

When relatively new to a tank, the best thing for leathers tends to be leaving them alone as much as possible. The more they are messed with, the less happy they seem to be and the longer it takes them to adjust. If anything, you may want to check to see if there's any aiptasia or sponge on / near the leather (even near the base), as both can irritate the leather and cause it to not fully open up. If there's nothing irritating it and it is in moderate flow and light, it should adjust and be ok. It likely just needs more time.

[ander88]

Cant see anything at the base fsn77, I'll keep an eye on it and let you guys no.

As for setup.

Filled tank with RO water and home salt mix.
Installed all equipment.
Left running for 4 days to come up to temperature etc
Bought 10kg "Premium Cured LR" from LFS.
Put rock in, and left for month and a half est (more than a month at least)
Did water para checks with Red Sea test kits and all OK, LFS verified results with water sample. (They said O.1 was ok for the test kit etc)
Started to stock with 2 Clown fish and Leather Coral.

Tank was originally started with crushed coral base, but within two weeks doing various research and suggestions from other members changed the CC to sand as seen in the pictures to stop any para spikes.

[Amphiprion]

I'm thinking the test kits may not be accurate. Get a second opinion or different kits.

Beyond that, I agree with fsn77. What sort of water motion do you have (i.e. what are you using to achieve water motion in your tank)? Looks like a Seio from the pics. You'll want to remove that cover on the effluent. You'll notice the flow is much broader and less damaging (and there will be more flow overall, as well).

[ander88]

Ive got the SEIO at one end of the tank, and the filter output at the other. I did some calculations and its giving me 660gph if ive done my sums right.

What do you mean the cover on the efluent? I dont understand.

[Amphiprion]

Do you see the deflector on the bottom? That whole portion--as in the whole bottom half of the pump--comes off and it is for the better. You'll want to mount it that way.

[ander88]

do you mean both pieces? Ie the bottom cover and the 'funnel' type part that you can control direction with? How would i then mount the pump?

[Amphiprion]

It still has "tracks" on it if you look carefully. It should be mounted like this:

http://www.ulissequalityshop.com/images/croci/wave_marea.jpg

[ander88]

How's that now Amphiprion?

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=1584&pictureid=13560

I was looking to get some more powerheads / pumps but not sure if I need them or not? Was looking at getting really small ones designed for nano reefs just to add a little difference rather having a big ugly pump in there?

[Amphiprion]

That looks better and you should notice a difference in flow, if not both in quality and quantity. If you want to try a different powerhead, try out the Tunze Nanostreams. The upper models are expensive, but the baseline 6025 model can be easily modified to produce as much flow as the more expensive ones. They are nice and small, too.

[ander88]

Thanks for the info mate! Much appreciated.

[ander88]

Updates on the leather that I was worried about, today for first time in a week the coral has started to flower. Hopefully make it easier for someone to help me ID, and possibly a better tank location for it, currently it is just under the return of the skimmer, quite close to top of tank.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=1584&pictureid=13568

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=1584&pictureid=13567

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=1584&pictureid=13566