What is Wrong with this

[les]

I’ve had this green cup coral in my system for sometime now and it was doing fine until I installed a Luminarc reflector over it. I kept the same EVC 10K 400 watt bulb.
Once the tissue started peeling away I moved the coral into a lower light area of my tank. I also directed two nozzles at it that alternate 3 minutes on and 3 minutes off. (both on both off). It has since started growing what appears to be algae on it or something.

 

[Anthony Calfo]

lack of adequate water flow to stave off algae and detritus settlement is a common problem. Polyp expansion in this coral should be so large that you cannot see the skeleton (corallum) underneath when you have enough of the right kind of water flow.

Inadequate feeding is also a common problem here... these corals require a heavy fish bioload or target feeding 3-5 times weekly (small portions) for best long-term success.

This coral looks "starved" as part of its problem. Just an educated guess though.

The light change may have nothing to do with the condition. Your specimen may have finally crossed a threshold from the attrition. Coincidence on the timing.

 

[les]

Anthony,
Thankyou for the quick reply. I shut down the sump tonight when I got home and fed the tank with Marine Snow. After about an hour I noticed polyups out in the areas that I thought were dead. It seems you were right about feeding this. I feel bad for having neglected the poor creature. This will never happen again and I hope it will recover.
Thanks again.

 

[Anthony Calfo]

after the coral slowly recovers... do offer larger and more meatier foods. Marine snow does not have much substanbce to it.

I'd suggest cyclop-eeze and mysid shrimp ASAP. Try to target feed it too by adding some food to the water at first to get the polyps out... then some minutes later feed with a turkey baster to avoid polluting the water in time and fueling an algae bloom.

best of luck/life my friend

Anthony