Dying Coral advice? (photos) (1 Viewer)

[Guest]

This was my first coral. My LFS told me that it was a hardy sand coral, and it shouldn't have any problems with my current lighting.

My current lighting came with my 40 gal bowfront JEBO. I'm not sure what it is, it has one white bulb and one flourescent one, and it was probably built for freshwater. Also, it keeps the tank at 81F, and I have to keep the lids open to keep it cool. (i'm working on setting up a fan). I'm a little PO'd about the aquarium purchase, but that's a different story.

My fish are ok, and my other corals are doing well. This one has slowly deteriorated since i bought it (2 months).

I'd like to save it. I feel that maybe my lighting is inadequate, but it will be a while before I can afford to upgrade to VHO. I'd put it up on some rocks, but the LFS told me it should stay in the sand.

Ammonia, nitrates and phosphates are reading 0.

I've been feeding a rotation/combination of Cyclopeeze, Marine Plankton, DT's Phytoplankton, and frozen brine shrimp.

I paid a lot for it, but if you guys think it won't be able to thrive with my current setup, I'll give it away to someone that has adequate lighting for it.
(a frag or two would be nice!) My objective is to save the coral.

Take a look.

http://marsh.webreefs.com/index.php?imgid=399.jpg

http://marsh.webreefs.com/index.php?imgid=400.jpg


Thanks for any advice!

 

[cparka23]

looks like brain coral.. they're relatively hardy but do need quality light. what kind of fish do you have in there? perhaps something is picking at it? also, what kind of water are you adding to replace the evaporating tank water?

I had a similar experience with dying brain coral when my tank was starting out. you're probably running regular fluorescent bulbs, which aren't great for keeping healthy corals long term. if your bulbs are bent in a U-shape, that's a different story.

you might try to check the pH and specific gravity. the temperature is a tad high, as well. it sounds like feeding isn't an issue.

 

[imsuperjp]

I also had a jebo tank and the lighting is crap. I dont think its more than 30W PC.

 

[Guest]

i think it's crazy that the lighting is substandard, but it still overheats the tank. I've had words with the LFS about it.

Before I knew much about the hobby, they told me it would be great as a saltwater tank.

I'd use the JEBO website for a humorous example, but when I looked for the link again, it looks like JEBO didn't pay their hosting service this month.

However, it looks like someone on this board has taken this shoddy setup and done some great work with it. It's still in the works, but it's looking really good.

http://marshreef.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=2573&highlight=jebo

 

[imsuperjp]

yes. i also was told that the tank was a good beginers tank. My jebo is now sitting in the backyard as a flowerpot. Just curious, did you buy yours at a LFS near almeda mall?

 

[Guest]

I don't have a refractometer, but my salinity reading is in the center of the "ok" range.

PH has maintained 8.0.

Fish:

Bicolor Blenny
Small Clarkii
Small Yellow Tang
Coral Banded Shrimp
Emerald Crab
1 astrea or turbo snail (not sure whichD)
8 very small hermits

Also, for the last month I have been adding Kent Liquid Calcium.

Someone at an LFS suggested that I use AragaMilk instead, but I've only been adding it for 2 days.

 

[cparka23]

i hope you didn't mean that you're adding it every day?! I add a tablespoon a week at the most (aragamilk, that is) on a 120 gallon.

Your post in the other thread said your tank isn't drilled at all. Perhaps your circulation isn't right for your brain (the coral ). They don't like a lot, in my experience, but not enough can be bad too. Just offer a little. it likely isn't the reason, but any suggestion to improve the brains condition at this point is worth hearing, right?

btw, how long are you keeping your lights on? you said it has "slowly deteriorated" since you first got it two months ago? do you see it feeding at all now that it's browning?

I wouldn't blame the temp solely on the lighting. it's houston - summers are always oven-like. even w/o lights on during the day, things like the temp in the room and your pumps can cause dramatic changes in tank temperature. try to lower yours with a fan blowing across the top of the water (as your lid is always open anyway). it might help. a chiller might be a nice investment to think about. tho they're a pain on the wallet, they'll keep the temperature cool so that you can get all those great corals everyone talks about and snaps photos of. i'm upgrading my chiller this summer on my two-year-old tank. hopefully this will be the last 'upgrade' for many years. i doubt it, but wishful thinking doesn't hurt.. [/i]

 

[Guest]

81 degs is not too hot...I'd look at some of the other things that were mentioned. Average reef temps are 82 degs. I'm not sure what the "OK" range is on your hydrometer, but it's probably low, since the industry standards are 1.020 to 1.023...but in reality should be kept around 1.025.

Just a few things to think about.

 

[SeanB]

Sounds like you just don't have enough light.

 

[pernelf]

I'd probably say it's a combination of lighting issues and not a high enough calcium levels. Can you take a pic of your lights so we an see what the bulbs look like?

 

[Guest]

Sure, I'll take those photos this evening.

About the AragaMilk- the LFS told me to add it every day. He told me to dump the rest of the Kent Liquid Calcium in my tank, because it was so weak it didn't make a difference.
I'd like to hear some more opinions on the usage of AragaMilk. My objective is to speed up the growth of coralline algae.

The LFS I bought the JEBO from is actually a MARSH sponsor, so I didn't want to mention the name. To answer your question, it's not by almeda mall.

 

[Trey]

Do you check your Alk and Ca levels on your tank? Low alkylinity can have a significant impact on brain corals. I would suggest that your lighting is probably inadequate for your corals to thrive, but I would think that there might be something else working against you as well.

If you don't check your Alk and Ca levels, now would be a good time to start. Let us know what you find. We all like to learn.

Thanks,
Trey

 

[Guest]

I don't currently test AK or calcium.
I'll start now, and let you know what turns up.

 

[Guest]

Here's my lighting setup, please excuse the blurry images.
http://marsh.webreefs.com/images/406.jpg
http://marsh.webreefs.com/images/407.jpg
http://marsh.webreefs.com/images/408.jpg

To answer an earlier question, I'm topping off with Ozarka drinking water.

 

[Guest]

Looks like a pair of power compacts. 13 watters are the standard in most hoods I think, so maybe 26" Could be more. I'd buy some test kits, a real refrac, better lighting, and get rid of the tang ASAP.

 

[cparka23]

that might be the problem right there.. ozarka, like all drinking water companies, adds minerals to improve the flavor of their water. it's not even close to pure water. you'd be best off getting deionized water. one of the sponsors is a retailer of reverse osmosis/deionized water units. i would look into one.

after reading the label on AragaMilk, adding it everyday is alright.

81ºF is an okay temp at which to run your tank. its funny how some LFS don't seem to recommend it (global) and some do (planet fish). :? i guess i misread your post, 'cause i thought it was at 84ºF. my mistake.

by the way, i believe that i have that same tank as a freshwater setup. the lights don't really produce a ton of heat. they're pretty much as hot as any other light setup.

 

[Guest]

why get rid of the tang? its doing fine.

 

[pernelf]

Because in the long run, a 40 gallon tank is not big enough to provide the swimming room a tang will need.