I bought an open brain coral 3 1/2 months ago and was doing great. Would be real puffy doring the day and looked super healthy. Last 3 days/nights it has not opened up. I haven't changed anything at all with the tank or added anything new. I have been using Phyto Feast for feeding. I've checked my water levels and they have stayed the same. I also have Xenia's, and a frogspawn, clown, lemonpeel angel, and a damsel and these are just fine. For supplements I have always used purple-up since the begining (set-up). Any ideas?
Open Brain not opening
- Thread starter rthomas
- Start date
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mmkeeper
Well-known member
First to get help it is best to list your water parameters up front, also tank size, water flow and lighting.
I would look at night a see if you have a crab or other things that might be bothering it.
I would look at night a see if you have a crab or other things that might be bothering it.
30 g.
water flow comes from A penguin 660 with a circular adaptor.
protein skimmer
penguin bio-wheel filter
2 65 watt 50/50 = 130 watts
Salinity = 1.024
PH = 8.2
calcium = 420
amonia = 0
Nitrate = 5 -10
Nitrite = <0.3
I checked the last couple of nights and the only thing around it is my clown which loves to be around it.
water flow comes from A penguin 660 with a circular adaptor.
protein skimmer
penguin bio-wheel filter
2 65 watt 50/50 = 130 watts
Salinity = 1.024
PH = 8.2
calcium = 420
amonia = 0
Nitrate = 5 -10
Nitrite = <0.3
I checked the last couple of nights and the only thing around it is my clown which loves to be around it.
mmkeeper
Well-known member
has the clown been hanging around it from the beginning or is that a new behavior?
Take a little bit of sand and sprinkle it on a small peice of its top. If the brain is healthy, with in a few hours it should expand to remove it. If not then it has issues, you can get an old strawberry basket (or simular) and place it over the coral for a few days. If it comes out, then you know its getting picked on.
Mike
Mike
Kurt_Nelson
Well-known member
First off, it might be hungry. If it's a Trachyphyllia, then you want to be feeding it meaty foods in small pieces. Not sure if Phyto is really what it wants to be eating. Chopped up mysis shrimp would be better.
You might also check your iodine levels. Continual use of PurpleUp could be causing you some issues with elevated iodine levels. There's really no reason to use PurpleUp continuously. You're better off using a 2-part solution if you just want CA.
Also, your nitrites should be at 0. Not sure if "<0.3" means zero, but if they're not, I'd keep on the water changes until you get that back down.
Kurt_Nelson
Well-known member
Here's a good article regarding iodine...
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/mar2003/chem.htm
At the end of the article, it discusses the problems of dosing iodine. Natural sea water levels are 0.06ppm.
PurpleUp does have lots of added supplements, and that's why some folks swear at it. Others swear by it. But that's a different thread I suppose. Most folks seem to use it to "boost" the coraline algae levels in their tank. In my experience though, if you have adequate calcium and alkalinity levels, you shouldn't have an issue with "purpling up" your tank - assuming you have some source of coraline algae in there to start with.
If you are just using PurpleUp to increase your calcium levels, using what is called a 2-part solution is an easier/cheaper way. These are the Ca/Alkalinity supplements that are sold in two bottles, like C-Balance, B-ionic, or many of the other "two bottle" solutions. Here's an article regarding calcium supplementation, with the two-part option near the end...
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm
There's also www.twopartsolution.com that sells you the dry ingredients for a standard 2-part solution that you mix yourself.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/mar2003/chem.htm
At the end of the article, it discusses the problems of dosing iodine. Natural sea water levels are 0.06ppm.
PurpleUp does have lots of added supplements, and that's why some folks swear at it. Others swear by it. But that's a different thread I suppose. Most folks seem to use it to "boost" the coraline algae levels in their tank. In my experience though, if you have adequate calcium and alkalinity levels, you shouldn't have an issue with "purpling up" your tank - assuming you have some source of coraline algae in there to start with.
If you are just using PurpleUp to increase your calcium levels, using what is called a 2-part solution is an easier/cheaper way. These are the Ca/Alkalinity supplements that are sold in two bottles, like C-Balance, B-ionic, or many of the other "two bottle" solutions. Here's an article regarding calcium supplementation, with the two-part option near the end...
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm
There's also www.twopartsolution.com that sells you the dry ingredients for a standard 2-part solution that you mix yourself.
Kurt_Nelson
Thanks for the help and articles. My local fish store said that all I need is to use purple up and a magnesium supplement. I just started with the mag supplement. I have a 30 g with frogspawn, xenias, stanghorn frag, and the open brain which has been doing better. The thing I don't like about the purple up is all the stuff it leaves on the glass. What have you used in the past/recommend to make sure I'm getting all the right supplements to the corals and fish.
Thanks for the help and articles. My local fish store said that all I need is to use purple up and a magnesium supplement. I just started with the mag supplement. I have a 30 g with frogspawn, xenias, stanghorn frag, and the open brain which has been doing better. The thing I don't like about the purple up is all the stuff it leaves on the glass. What have you used in the past/recommend to make sure I'm getting all the right supplements to the corals and fish.
Kurt_Nelson
Well-known member
Personally... just my opinion... but no "supplements" are needed if you're doing regular weekly or biweekly water changes, and if your Calcium is where you want it. Water changes using a commercial salt mix will pretty much give you whatever trace elements you need, assuming you don't have a massively stocked SPS tank. I'm not a big fan of "supplements" because (1) they're normally not needed and (2) you can overdose them pretty quick if you're not really sure what you need - which seems to be the normal case for most folks. Normal rule... don't add anything to your tank without testing the existing levels to start with and then test to keep tabs of where those levels are. As far as your fish go, they don't need anything extra - just good clean salt water.
I dose daily with C-Balance to keep my Calcium levels stable through the week, and bump up my Calcium levels in my fresh salt water (Reef Crystals) to about 400ppm using TurboCalcium. That, and weekly 10% water changes are all I do.
I dose daily with C-Balance to keep my Calcium levels stable through the week, and bump up my Calcium levels in my fresh salt water (Reef Crystals) to about 400ppm using TurboCalcium. That, and weekly 10% water changes are all I do.
dailydriven911
sps addict
There is your problem. I had a lemonpeel once, worst decision I ever made. They love to pick at most lps, softies, and clams. I would take him back to your lfs...
Thanks. I also use the reef crystals my test have all looked good. I think I will get rid of the purple up and contine to keep a close eye on the water levels. Down the road I would like to add a few more SPS but I think I need to up my lighting before I move forward on that. Once again thanks for the help.
I really like the lemonpeel and want to keep it. what type of issues did you have with yours? Has anyone else had any issues with these?
I really like the lemonpeel and want to keep it. what type of issues did you have with yours? Has anyone else had any issues with these?
dailydriven911
sps addict
I liked him alot to until I found out he's a nipper like most angelfish. I would get rid of him if you want to keep adding corals.
Thats good to know. I guess I will have to let go and bring him back.
Off the subject could you help me with a lighting question? 30g tank with xenia, frogspawn, open brian and SPS. Currently have 2 65 watt flourescent coralife = 130 watts. Do you think enough light for the SPS?
Off the subject could you help me with a lighting question? 30g tank with xenia, frogspawn, open brian and SPS. Currently have 2 65 watt flourescent coralife = 130 watts. Do you think enough light for the SPS?
Kurt_Nelson
Well-known member
You've already got that question going in another thread. And no... it's not if you intend to keep going down the SPS route.
dailydriven911
sps addict
Lighting is important but just as important as your water quality, flow, etc. Like Kurt said you will need to upgrade your lighting for most sps. You could possibly get by with some monti's but that's about it.
dailydriven911
sps addict
Do you have a good skimmer on the tank? Like I said water quality/clarity is very important...
