First Coral - Not So Well

[SuperScro]

I added a plate coral I got from my LFS on Friday, and it wasn't looking well from then. My coral is definatly dead now, its all white and the polyps are disappearing. I acclimated it over 2 hours from the drip method, and got it into the tank right away. I noticed that it had a brown spot where it was chipped away a little. I was disappointed with myself not noticing before I bought the coral, but I had given it a good look, except it was hard to see since it was facing the opposite direction of the glass... Not sure if this was the main reason that killed it or not.

Here are my parameters, some I think could ahve been the problem. Nitrates < 5 , Phosphate 0, Ph. 8.2, Salinity 1.026 (possibly 1.027 since I need to do a top off and another water change), Calcium 440, Temperature 80-82 degrees (sometimes during day can reach 83 for a very short period, since I monitor it constantly I can bring it down quickly), Kh is 14. My lights are good (see signature) and from the light to my sand layer is about 17 inches.

The rest of my livestock is doing fine, but corals are different. I figure it was either my paramters or my lighting that caused its death, maybe even the injury it had but I wouldn't think it was the main reason. I also was considering my algae problem was a reason too, specifically the brown and the red bubble algae. Luckily I am getting ready to add baffles to my refugium and I am currently looking for an overflow, so this should help. I felt so bad, my first coral didn't last a week

[MDeth]

Plates are easy to kill if physically injured

Next time I would just float it. I never acclimate any of my coral and ive had no deaths

[SuperScro]

I read somewhere that you shouldn't drip method your corals, but just float them in the bag. I thought this was crazy and far from updated, but I guess its not. I just don't want to acclimate poorly and lose another coral and more $$$. What about floating the bag and slowly adding water to the bag? Then when finished taking the coral out by hand and placing it in the tank?

[MDeth]

IMO its best to get it out of its own slime and waste. I've bought $100-200 dollar corals and not thought about it twice.

[coral reefer]

Sorry to hear about the mishap with your coral. An injured coral first thing off the bat is not a good thing, as you have found out the hard way! Make sure you are able to physically see the whole coral the next time before purchasing to help increase your success.
Also, for a first coral standpoint, why not try a corallimorph, Star polyp, Colt coral or even Xenia to start.

[amcarrig]

Originally Posted by MDeth

IMO its best to get it out of its own slime and waste. I've bought $100-200 dollar corals and not thought about it twice.

+2 Also, as was mentioned, once these kinds of corals are physically damaged, they can go downhill very quickly. Sorry for your loss but don't get discouraged!

[geekdafied]

Originally Posted by MDeth

IMO its best to get it out of its own slime and waste. I've bought $100-200 dollar corals and not thought about it twice.

+3

You temperture acclimate corals, drip acclimate fish.

[geekdafied]

Originally Posted by coral reefer

Sorry to hear about the mishap with your coral. An injured coral first thing off the bat is not a good thing, as you have found out the hard way! Make sure you are able to physically se the whole coral the next time before purchasing to help increase your success.
Also, for a first coral standpoint, why not try a corallimorph, Star polyp, Colt coral or even Xenia to start.

+2
shrooms are GREAT starter corals

[SuperScro]

I will definatly look into one of those corals. Will look into the mushrooms since they were corals I wanted to add first. The colt coral sounds like a good idea also.

Thanks for the advice on floating corals, should help me in the longrun.

[geekdafied]

It takes a lot to kill shrooms, I had a crash awhile back and they were the only survivors in the tank.