Help with my Capnella please

fmelindy

Member
Anybody have any idea what might be happening to this Capnella? I have had it for about 3 months. That whole time it has looked like this. It was originally in my 55 gallon and I tried it in a variety of places in the tank. It seemed like the more light I put it under, the worse it got. I thought it might be a nutrient problem because I'm having a problem with nitrates in my 55 right now and they are around 20 so I switched it to a 12 gallon JBJ nano I have. It has looked like this since. First, I thought it was "collapsing" like some soft corals do but it has been this way so long I think that's less likely and on some days it actually has considerably more turgor.
Some info about the nano. It is a 12 gallon modified with 96 watts of light by PCs. The coral is placed toward the bottom. Nitrates and phosphates are 0. The ph is 8.2. The salinity is 1.025.
Anybody want to take a stab at what's wrong with it and/or give me some advice on what to do with it? I considered fragging it to see if the fragments will be somewhat more adaptable than the original colony but I don't know if this is a great idea. Do Capnellas frag easy/well? Thanks in advance.
 

ssweet1

Member
Something is bugging it, do you feed flake food? I have alot of capnella and if the food or even debris(salt creep) falls on the branches it will do that sometimes even for a few days! Mine seem to prefer moderate to light current with good lighting. Try lightly blowing it off with a turkey baster sometimes that will work for me and the next day it will be better. Mine frag by themselves and grow like weeds! I wouldnt frag it in that condition though, let it alone for a week and see if it recooperates. Mine also like iodine supplement by Kent marine, they make a slow release formula. Carrie
 

007

Active Member
Whats the water flow like? How about calcium and alkalinity? What salt do you use?
 

fmelindy

Member
I use Reef Crystals salt for water changes which are done 10% every two weeks to a month. Top up is with ro water. Water flow is by a 150 gph pump in a 12 gallon tank (more than ten times per hour turnover) but coral is not in high flow area in the tank (no direct current). Calcium is 430. Haven't measured the alk.
 

007

Active Member
Originally Posted by fmelindy
. . . coral is not in high flow area in the tank . . . .
Thats the problem right there . . . . give it more current and I bet it perks up.
 

fmelindy

Member
I wish it were that simple. I've had him in a higher flow area of the tank ever since I first posted, thinking the same thing, and there has been no difference at all.
 

ophiura

Active Member
Do you not test alk or just don't have a reading? Do you dose with anything else, like iodine?
 

tthemadd1

Active Member
What is your temperature... I had an issue with this about a week ago. Got a chiller and pulled my temp down 88-90 to 78-80. They really perked up afterwards.. GOod Luck
 

ophiura

Active Member
Originally Posted by tthemadd1
88-90 to 78-80. They really perked up afterwards.. GOod Luck
:scared:
I imagine they did. That is pretty high!!
 

fmelindy

Member
Nope, not voltage. I've got one of those grouding things. I just don't test alkilinity in that tank but I'll make a reading today - I just got a salifert test kit in the mail today. Temp will vary from 80 to 82 in a day. I don't dose anyhting else in that tank.
 

007

Active Member
yeah, alk is a little on the high side, but not really out of control.
When I said higher flow, I didn't mean a high flow area . . . more like moderate. Enough to see the arms gently waving pretty constantly. It will take a couple days before it will react too . . . it won't be an instant change.
 
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