Is this coral sick?

[ugotktfo]

I bought this frag from my lfs (it's my first coral). It was a brown color now it's turning green. Is it dying?
ps: I never asked what kind of coral it is when I bought it, can someone help?

 

[loopy101]

what kind of lights do you have? and what are your water test readings?

 

[ugotktfo]

I have 2 actinic and 2 50/50 T5's, my PH is 8.3, Amonia at 0, nitrites at 0, and nitrates are between 0 and 5.

 

[hlcroghan]

We need to know how many watts per gallons of water as well. For instance how many bulbs and how many watts each?

 

[ugotktfo]

I have 4 T5 HO 54 Watt bulbs - (2) 12,000K daylight and (2) 03 true actinics over a 55 gallon tank.

 

[jackri]

Really hard to tell from the pictures... especially without a before.

 

[ugotktfo]

Here is a couple before pictures...It used to look like the first picture during the night times, but would extend like the second one in the day.

 

[hlcroghan]

You only have about 3 watts per gallon so it may be bleaching because that is not really enough for SPS corals or it could have a parasite. Can you describe more specifically what the change in looks is? O if it no longer extending it's polyps?

 

[ugotktfo]

It no longer extends its polyps. It has the same brownish color in its base, but the color it changed to is a light green color.

 

[nycbob]

very hard to tell from the pics. is it a hard or soft coral?

 

[ugotktfo]

It's a soft coral.
I had to re-adjust a powerhead a little while ago and sort of blasted the coral and the green film is coming off a bit. Does that help at all?

 

[maryg]

If its any type of leather, they do go through periods of "shedding". It is normal. They will look crappy and waxy and then they shed and look better afterwards.

 

[ugotktfo]

I think it might be a leather. I should have asked when I bought it, but I was so excited to add my first frag that I forgot. So much for being prepared and doing your research

 

[nycbob]

most leathers r pretty tough. make sure it isnt getting direct flow.

 

[ugotktfo]

I'll be sure to make sure of that. My pom pom xenias and green star polyps are doing great, I was just worried about this one.

 

[hlcroghan]

Let me take back what I said then....i thought it was an acropora.....you should be fine with 3-4 watts of light. it was prolly shedding...

 

[stanlalee]

Originally Posted by hlcroghan
http:///forum/post/3036034
You only have about 3 watts per gallon so it may be bleaching because that is not really enough for SPS corals
four T5 HO the length of a 55g is sufficient light to keep anything depending on the model/reflectors used. watts per gallon dont factor tank depth or dimensions and all watts per gallon arent created equal (T5 watts/gallon cant apply to pc or MH watts/gallon and so forth).
all the pics are worthless! Is it actually hard like a stick or soft and flexible? If its an SPS frag such as acropora which I'm suspecting it is from the pics and you blew off a green film with a powerhead that is not good at all. you shouldn't be able to blow anything off an SPS frag because their should be nothing to blow off (save a little mucus if heavily disturbed). Reduced polyp extension, gross lightening/paling of colors along with stuff settling on the coral (green film, algae or whatever) generally means its on its last leg.

 

[fanker]

Originally Posted by hlcroghan
http:///forum/post/3036034
You only have about 3 watts per gallon so it may be bleaching because that is not really enough for SPS corals or it could have a parasite. Can you describe more specifically what the change in looks is? O if it no longer extending it's polyps?
???? watts per gallon? sorry but u are completely wrong, if he has 4x54w over a 55g he can keep anything with individual reflectors.

 

[stanlalee]

the branches are smaller in the more recent pics. did you trim it and did they snap off or require cutting? recent pic looks like an SPS but the old pics looks like it could be a leather. and the new/old pics dont really describe the color transformation you describe

 

[hlcroghan]

Ok maybe my math was off... 54x4 is 216. That divided by 55 is 3.92 which is 3-4 watts per gallon. Am I not correct? If it was SPS that would not be enough. If it is a softie it should be plenty. T-5 is a little stronger though and individual reflectors can make a difference. Anyway, he said it was soft earlier so there you go.....
If I am calculating it wrong or something please let me know...