Having trouble with my Wellso Folded Brain coral

[ThatNewFishGuy]

I've had this coral for months now and it's been a battle since the day I got him. It seems like it has its runs where it does great (plump, colorful) and then runs where it literally looks like its dead (looks like a fossil, skeleton showing, tissue is white and receeded, etc.). Lately it's been on the bad side for a while-not nearly as bad as I have seen it in the past but it's been stuck in this stage for a week and half or so.

Other corals I have include bubble, hammer, frogspawn, zoos, anthelia, mushrooms, and some small candy cane frags. These all look fine.

I am wondering why this coral is giving me so much trouble. I have it placed at the bottom of my tank, about 23 inches below the light, on my sand bed. Speaking of light, I'm using the reef capable marineland fixture along with 2 ecoxotic led strips and 2 more LED strips from my LFS. I know the marineland fixture sucks and was wondering if this is what may be causing this coral to act this way but at the same time, why wouldn't it do this to other corals as well?

I havn't really tried placing it on the rocks because I heard it's really easy for the tissue to get cut. Also, I have never fed any of my corals anything. I was wondering if maybe I should try to target feed my brain.

 

[greech]

Definitely feed it if it will take it. If its feeders are not out, shut your pumps off and fend off the snails (or cut a coke bottle in 2 and place it over it). Other option is to wait an hour or so after the lights go out (feeders should be out). Are your other corals on the sandbed? How is the flow? Is the coral constantly being pushed in one direction? Was there any receding on the coral when you got it? Any corals close enough to sting it?

 

[ThatNewFishGuy]

No other corals on the sandbed. I have 2 hydor koralia pumps (1400 gph) on either side of the tank towards the top but facing each other. They are on alternate flow for 1 minute a piece. I also have another powerhead(not sure what brand) in the back, I believe its of similar gph though, maybe a bit stronger. Since the brain is all the way at the bottom I dont think the flow is pushing it one direction. There was no receeding on the coral when I got it and there is absolutely nothing around it as far as coral go that would be able to sting it.

My fish are a yellow tang, hoven's wrasse, maroon gold clown, potter's angel, and 3 stripe damsel. I have not seen any crabs or hermits try to pick it thus far.

I will keep a look out for the feeders when my lights go out tommorow

 

[leocom2000]

What size tank is it? What are your water parameters and temperature? A picture would also help.

 

[ThatNewFishGuy]

What size tank is it? What are your water parameters and temperature? A picture would also help.

Tank is a 92 gallon corner tank. Temp is about 80 degrees. It's usually 78 but it's climbed up steadily because the weather has become so hot around here lately. Regardless though, the brain was doing this before the temperature changed. Water params were all normal. I will try to get a pic up tommorow