Colt not looking good?

kimkissyfish

kimkissyfish

Member
Hi,
I added a new colt coral about 2 weeks ago. (looks like the one in the info post at top) It is a bit deeper purple but not as opened as it should be....
Lighting at bottom of sig. LFS guy who sold me my lighting says my lights are fine for him..
Question, should he be closer to top (&lights) on rock where he is...or down lower or on sand bed? Also, whats the recommeded ph flow rate on him... I have him im medium flow.
Thanking you kindly in advance, Kim
:help: :help: :help:
 
ophiura

ophiura

Active Member
Would be good to know more about the lighting....
But Colts are funny. When new in a tank they can look, um, like something really bad. And they can do this from time to time even when you've had them awhile. But all in all they are pretty tough, and most likely it just needs time to perk up. Can you get a picture of it, so that we can see placement and how much flow it is in?
 
mrmaroon

mrmaroon

Member
Mine is quite sensitive to temperature. I think it prefers low to med flow, but I would doubt this is your problem. Do you have any fish "nesting" in it. I have had a couple that could not stand the clowns I used to have. DO you have other corals that are doing well. As suggested above, please list your specs.
 
kimkissyfish

kimkissyfish

Member
Thanks for all the responses, I will try to answer the questions here.
75G 3 yrs old
Sal~ 1.022-1.023
temp ~ 78-80
Ph~ 8.3 (but have to add buffer to keep stable sometimes)
Nitrates run 20-40
Lighting~ 1 100 super daylight 6500K full spec florsecent, 40w
1~ Actinic 03 blue florescent 40w
Pc's ~ retrofit, 2 x 65w 10,000 & 460 nm actinic side by sides
( two of these bulbs)
Ehieim professional 2 mechanical filter w/ spray bar
(added a 204 fluval few weeks ago, gonna use it to seed my new 15G nano) coming off today actually.
Backpak 2 Protien Skimmer
5" DSB and about 100 lbs of LR
running 3 PH right now, playing with them for proper flow to help cyano.
Have been doing smaller weekly changes instead of my monthly larger ones right now for cyano prob. It's not as bad, seems to be clearing up a bit.
Stock~ Emporer Angel, yellow tang, bi-color blennie, 6 line, Tomato clown, Lawnmower blennie,greenbird wrasse.
Clean up crew.
Corals, Please forgive me if I mess the names up here,
pearl bubble, doing great
leather, doing OK
flowerpot, seems great, comes up and opens every day.
and a toadstool, doing great.
This Colt coral is towards the top on the Lr, medium but not direct flow. I just feel his arms and tiny little flowery thingies should be extended more throughout the day.
The color is darker purple not light like it was in the store. The LFS guy says hes just not comfotable yet and he will be fine soon, and he says my lighting is fine, I got all my supplies from him, he does JUST fish... specialty store.
Ill try to post pics today... got new digital & cant get it to work right.
Oh, I should add that I popped on the UV sterilizer a few days ago because the greenbird looked like he was getting ich... I HATE THAT DAMN FISH, he does that then he is fine!
Thanks a bunch, Kim
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Clowns are a real PITA in my tank. It bothers my Colt something fierce, but it perks up after a bit
 
ophiura

ophiura

Active Member
As an aside, IMO, your specific gravity is on the low side....do you measure with a hydrometer or refractometer?
 
ophiura

ophiura

Active Member
I didn't mention that otherwise it doesn't look too bad. Coloration is relative - lighting will change that so a coral can look totally different from LFS to home. But I have seem some far more unhappy colts than that.
 
mrmaroon

mrmaroon

Member
It does not look that bad. I certainly would not add any more fish. I only have 3 in my 55g. YOu may try doing a bigger water change once to get the nitrates down.
 
kimkissyfish

kimkissyfish

Member
Thanks everyone,
You are right about the coloration, the LFS has far better lighting because his tanks are HUGE and LONG and has all different kinds of corals in that tank...
as for the salinity, I will bring it up a point over next two h20 changes. I have always kept it on the lower side of the spectrum. We'll see if that works. Oh, I use a standard hydrometer. I actually have 3 of them and knowing they are not always accurate, I test on all 3.. they seem to match almost all the time. Is a refractometer hard to use? IS that a stupid question? Money isnt really a major issue, i just thought the hydrometer was easier to use.
I added the greenbird wrasse about 2 weeks ago. I admit it was a mistake and I would really like to trap him and bring him back. It's just that I have had all the same fish in my tank for years and I think I just got bored... UGH!????
I didnt really doubt the lighting because he is pretty good about telling me what will and wont work for my tank. I try to stay with hardy corals.. But didnt know if it should be higher up in the tank or down lower.
Thanking you Kindly, Kim :yes:
 
ophiura

ophiura

Active Member
A refractometer is not at all difficult to use, and is far more accurate. Ditch the three hydrometers and just go refractometer!
 
W

wizardofos

Guest
Refractometers are very easy to use.
Drop of water on the lens, close the cover, look through the eyepiece and read the results. Calibrate with distilled water initially.
My wife recognized it immediatly as something used in medical labs for testing.
Much easier than using your three testers.
Regards,
 
kimkissyfish

kimkissyfish

Member
Thanks, I guess I should pick one up then.
I was just afraid to buy something with such an intimidating name... LOLOL
Thanking you kindly, Kim
 
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