I got a large red planet colony recently from a local reefer, and it is receding from the base up. When I first got it, it was kinda bleached, and had an obvious frag mark on the lower side that hadn't completely healed. After being in my tank for a couple weeks, it had gained lots of nice color, and looked very healthy, but the frag mark still hadn't healed. It has now started to recede from that point, and spread around the lower base, and is just starting to reach the larger branches. I made the decision to frag a couple branches that had already been affected, and moved the colony yet again into higher flow hoping that the receding will stop before it hits the main stalks.
Red Planet Colony receding
- Thread starter Faciosity
- Start date
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How's your Alkalinity?
Unfortunately, I'm not sure. Remember, that was one of the things I didn't have a test kit for, and you guys helped me figure it out. I realy need to get some new test kits. I have tomorrow off, and I will see if I can pick one up. I REALLY don't want to have to cut pieces off this colony, but if the base keeps receding, I will have no choice. I would rather save 20 small pieces than have one big dead piece of rock. The base is soooo thick that I can't cut away all the dying area without using a saw.
I think that this actually started very slowly before I got the colony, and just recently picked up speed.
krisfal
Well-known member
Sometimes covering the receding area and some healthy tissue around it with super glue can stop recession.
Hard to advise without some water parameters info Faciosity.
What else is in the system? more acros? If so how are they looking?
If it keeps having problems I really suggest fragging up that colony and tossing the base. Other then the receding there is no other sign of stress? polyp extension good and all?
What else is in the system? more acros? If so how are they looking?
If it keeps having problems I really suggest fragging up that colony and tossing the base. Other then the receding there is no other sign of stress? polyp extension good and all?
Sorry,
temp 76-79
salinity 1.026
nitrite 0
nitrate very low, maybe 2-3 ppm
ph 8.1
didn't have a chance to pick up test kits for alk, mag and calcium
It is the only acro that is having this issue. Fairly good polyp extension, not as much as it could have, but overall seems healthy. I added a ton more flow and directed one powerhead straight toward it, and seemed to stop or seriously slow the receding. The main stock that runs to the top branches is over 1.5" thick and I don't have a saw, so cutting it off the base would be difficult if I feel I need to do it. Here's a couple pics, and you can see the receded parts and the branches I snipped.
temp 76-79
salinity 1.026
nitrite 0
nitrate very low, maybe 2-3 ppm
ph 8.1
didn't have a chance to pick up test kits for alk, mag and calcium
It is the only acro that is having this issue. Fairly good polyp extension, not as much as it could have, but overall seems healthy. I added a ton more flow and directed one powerhead straight toward it, and seemed to stop or seriously slow the receding. The main stock that runs to the top branches is over 1.5" thick and I don't have a saw, so cutting it off the base would be difficult if I feel I need to do it. Here's a couple pics, and you can see the receded parts and the branches I snipped.
I dug around in your posts a bit and found your lighting issue. There too high from the waters surface. 2' off the water surface on a 180 with 250w MH is too high. I think your problem is not enough light. You may want to lower them down about a foot today and then over the next week lower then to about 6" off the surface. Also I think your nitrates and P04 are higher then your test kit is telling you from uptake with the hair algae I see growing on the overflow in these pictures. Also I see a lot of detritus on the rock around it. the pores of the rock look clogged.
The Receding looks to be on the side that faces the overflow. there just may not be enough light and flow in that area.
Sorry to pick your system apart. I hope my advice helps your issue.
Other then the tissue being a bit dark (this is caused from high nutrients) the coral looks good. If left alone, it will continue to grow like that with a dead spot on that side.
What is your water changing schedule and salt brand? How much water do you change out and what is the total gross volume in your system?
Frank
The Receding looks to be on the side that faces the overflow. there just may not be enough light and flow in that area.
Sorry to pick your system apart. I hope my advice helps your issue.
Other then the tissue being a bit dark (this is caused from high nutrients) the coral looks good. If left alone, it will continue to grow like that with a dead spot on that side.
What is your water changing schedule and salt brand? How much water do you change out and what is the total gross volume in your system?
Frank
You see this top area on this coral, most will see this as new growth, and it is, but it is also how the red planet should look all over. The lower part of that coral is darker from nutrients. You can correct this with weekly water changes and cleaning up the Ha in your system. This is a very nice coral! One of my favorites tabling acros.
Frank
