HELP! My toadstool is having problems!

[corbettb]

I bought an established 18 gallon nano tank almost a year ago. THe prize coral in it was an awesome huge toadstool leather coral. For the past few days, it's been totally hunched over and doesn't open much. The small "fingers" will come out a little but he is just a husk of his former self. I've moved him into an area with more flow and dosed a little extra iodone. Is there anything else I can do? Attached are pics, both old and new...
Thanks!

 

[mie]

What are your water peramiters?
What type of water do you use?
How do you mix your water?

 

[corbettb]

The parameters are coming out perfect
(pH=8.2, nitrates=.1ppm, nitrites=undetectable, ammonia=.1ppm) . I use RO/DI water and mix it with salt about 3 days before each water change (20-30% once/week).

 

[nycbob]

has the light bulb been changed?

 

[corbettb]

One did burn out but I replaced it within 2-3 days. Maybe that caused it...

 

[reefkprz]

looks like your getting algae growth on the stem of the leather. this is stifiling the flesh causing necrosis (possibly due to a bacterial infection). degredation in light quality as NYCbob asked about could be partially to blame, as well as ammonia, (this is indicative of a problem somewhere) possibly overfeeding recently. you shouldnt have a readable level of ammonia in an established tank.

 

[reefkprz]

Originally Posted by CorbettB
One did burn out but I replaced it within 2-3 days. Maybe that caused it...
What type of lights are they?

 

[mudplayerx]

You shouldn't have any measurable amount of ammonia in your tank. What brand of test kit are you using?

 

[corbettb]

The lights are power compact. 2 65k white and 1 actinic 13w. It's always been plenty for the tank. Upon further testing, the ammonia is 0 and I also found out that my wife fed the fish in the tank right before my last test. Everything else in the tank (soft corals and condi anemone) are flourishing. Anyway, I'll try an iodine dip unless anyone thinks that would be a terrible mistake.

 

[nycbob]

many times, people forget to replace their light bulbs. just bc the light looks good doesnt mean its effective. in my opinion, mh needs to be replaced 6-8 months. t5 bulbs, 9-12 months. pc, 9-12 months. light bulbs lose their intensity over time. the only way to find out accurately is to get a LUX light meter. it costs about $90. this meter will measure the amount of light ur bulbs r giving out.