brain coral question

[reese]

I have a green open brain that hasnt opened up in over a week. For whatever reason, I havent had much luck with these as this is my third one. They end up dying on me. I have several other species of coral in my tank that appear to be doing great including bubble, torch, xenia etc. The brain seemed to be doing great, every time I put food by his huge mouth, he'd devoure it then swell up even more. My water quality is good. Usually 0 nitrites/ammonia ( nitrites were elevated a bit yesterday-think I fed too much. its back to 0 today.).23 SG and 8.1 ph, very small amt of nitrates. He is positioned midway in my tank and gets direct light and gets mod/high water flow. Ive got a current dual satellite on the tank so I think it gets more that sufficient lighting. I also use kent supplements-trace elements, calcium, lugols iodine sol. and coral vite. Any feedback on what to do so I dont lose this guy would be great, thanks!

 

[effloresce]

dont add iodine, tis not good to add, its very hard to test for, and very hard to dose in proper ammounts, dont add it, water changes have enough iodine in the water for the replacements, i have never added iodine
and you mgith want to get your salinity up to 24 or 25, corals and inverts liek that better.

 

[fastmarc]

How old is your tank?
If it is mature, you should never have a detectable nitrite reading.
IMO, your salinty should be the same as sea water. If you do change it, do it slowly.
Sometimes they do not like too much current or flow.

 

[offshore80]

I purchased an open brain today and the clerk told me NOT to add iodine to the tank cause the open brains react just like you discribed. But they come back after a few days. I was warned.

 

[reese]

I hate it when I get info from a reputable fish store that ends up being inaccurate! I only just started adding the iodine about 3 weeks ago at the rate of 1 drop per week. Ive havent added any recently. The tank has been set up for almost a year, but I moved it about 3 months ago which threw everything off for about a week(ammonia went up a bit) when I test, I find only a small amt of nitrite detected. I do regular water changes so I dont know why it would show up. My tank isnt overloaded either and the other corals look great. The brain still is shriveled but alive-he will eat if I put food in front of him. Usually when Id feed him, he'd swell up right after. Now, there is no change after he eats-he looks so sad, I hope he comes around.

 

[reese]

correction on that last message-my nitrites are 0, my nitrates show a small amt when I test

 

[fastmarc]

I would say just leave it for a while.
When I first got my open brain (Trachyphyllia geoffroyi), it took months before it opened. It would eat, but just looked sad. I just didn't give up hope.

 

[jam marine]

agreed

 

[stuckinfla]

What type of lights? Also, you said 1/2 way up...is he on the rocks. I have three brains on the sand (I think they prefer that) under MH, never had a prob with any except getting to big for tank!

 

[reese]

Ive got a current dual satellite on the tank which seems to keep the corals happy. The brain was on the rocks half way up-Id try to put him on the bottom, but I have a plate coral that swells to the size of a small pizza during the day and 2 good sized anemones that have happily planted themselves on the bottom glass. In my 36 gal, that doesnt leave much room. Ive been debating giving up my plate coral, he's just gotten too big. I have a good home lined up for him when Im ready, but just cant part with him yet. I have moved the brain to the other side of the tank and out of the current and he looks like he's starting to come around. My lights are off now and he looks like he is starting to feed-Im starting to see tentacles-Im crossing my fingers!