Pineapple Coral Dying Back

[big_al]

I'm new to salt water and have recently purchased an established 110 gal reef tank. Everything is going well although the pineapple coral (looks like favites russelli) appears to be dying back along the edges. There’s plenty of light, water flow and water tests perfect except the calcium level was at 350 ppm which I have brought up to 400 ppm. Any suggestions, thoughts, ideas of what the cause may be would be greatly appreciated.

 

[yosemite sam]

Pictures would really help. How recently did you move the tank? Where is the coral located in the tank? What other corals are near it? And how much flow is it receiving, and is it random (ie with some sort of wave maker/rotating powerhead, etc.), or constantly from one direction?

 

[big_al]

I'll try to post a picture this evening. I move the tank two weeks ago retaining 50% of the original water. The coral is located midway up the tank on an open ledge with no other corals touching it. I have two bubble corals, thick finger leather, open brain in the vacinity and they're all going great. I have a rotating powerhead on one side of the tank and a new sweeping powerhead on the other so I believe there is enough random flow. Plenty of light too. Thank you
PS- If you search the message boards for "pineapple" there is a posting titled "Brain Confusion" dated 3-6. In that thread there is a picture posted by WHO DEY at 1:44 AM which shows exactly what I'm seeing .. the white skeleton around the edges. It's a slightly different variety of coral.

 

[big_al]

I've attached the image of my coral to this post. If it doesn't show, I need a lesson in inserting pictures.

 

[petjunkie]

I had the same problem with one of my favias when I upgraded lighting and moved it around a bunch, then my heater rested on it for a day or so. EEK! Anyways it receded on all sides, lost nine or ten heads and gaped for over a month, I just left it alone, kept alk & calcium up and it seems to be recovering. Puffed up like normal and no more gaping. You can try feeding it nightly when it's tentacles are out and double checking water parameters, what's everything else running at?

 

[big_al]

Hey PJ - The pH is 8.4 .... ammonia, nitrate and nitrite levels are all 0. I bought an alkalinity tester today and that measured in the lower part of normal range. I also just did my first water change today (10%) so I think I'm going to take your advice and keep boosting the calcium and alkaline levels. I was looking for tentacles last night after I turned the lights out but didn't see any. I'm not sure if I waited long enough but will try again. Thanks for the reply.

 

[yosemite sam]

Did you get the Red Sea alkalinity kit? If so, ditch it and get a better kit that gives you actual numbers. Salifert test kits are good.

 

[big_al]

Red Sea is exactly what the LFS sold me ..... I'll pick up a better one. Thanks