My Bubble Coral won't open up like it did in the store!!!

[MagReef]

I have two other corals in the tank (zooanthids and star polyps), both of which are doing fine. The bubble coral, however, has never fully opened like I saw it when I decided to purchase it. It has had some bubbles come up fully. I have moved it all over the tank. I've checked my levels, everything seems fine. I have 520 watt PC in 75 gallon tank. When it gets up closer to the light it won't come out at all, lower in the tank it begans to come out, but again.....NOT FULLY!!! Any suggestions?

[MDeth]

How long have you had it ?

Just make sure it has some water movement, and leave it be fore awhile

[Tangster]

Yes what He said .. Just let it be for awhile and make sure its getting enough water movement to make it move or sway a bit , Not so much flow as to beat it up. And don't start tossing in elements and stuff like iodine to make it better . Ever look at it when the light had been off a few hrs? It won't look like a bubble coral as you know it.. More like a ball of plated bone (: But its fine that when they feed.

[MagReef]

I've had it about two months. When the bubbles come out a little, I look to see if they are getting beat down. I put it about mid tank and not in direct flow, so just leave it be for now? I also target feed it every couple days DTs. Am I doing it right and just need to have more patience?

[MDeth]

Exactly. I unfortunately are going through some problems with my hammer
Hopefully both of ours pull through excellently

[MagReef]

I was reading the info on placement of corals for long term success. It mentions the importance of water flow. Proper water flow will lead to detrius not being able to settle on the coral. My questions is.....on the flat spines, or whatever they are called that the bubbles come out between, there is what looks like brown algae growing on the tips. Does this mean that there is not enough water flow for the bubble coral? Should I scrub this off? Could this be why the bubble coral has not fully extended?

[Tangster]

No need to target feed it .. Just put some clyclopeeze or rotifiers into the water and make sure they blow past it then feed the tank with that at about lights out they eat and feed with sweeper tentacle's and at night mostly . Not much need for the DT's really its not the magic bullet that they would have you hing what it feeds mostly are the pods and other fauna like the mysties shrimps and such that live in the sand and refugiums . Not for a bubble coral.

[coral reefer]

Hi MagReef,
I am the one who wrote that article...
With Bubble coral, they are a so called "meaty" coral like brains or Fungia(plates). They need subdued water flow or you run the risk of its tissue becomming detached from its calcium carbonate skeleton and disease ie. tissue neucrosis, or brown jelly infection to take over.
Also, they don't require much light either.
I don't know for sure but your Bubble may be suffering from brown jelly infection or by flatworm infestation.
try performing a freshwater dip!!!!

[MagReef]

It's almost like a weird form of hair algae but not exactly, I just looked at it and the brownish part on the tips is just long enough to sway. How long should I leave it in a fresh water dip? How often do I need to do this? Also, I've noticed that the brown has become increasingly more visible over the past week. I can try to take a picture and maybe upload tomorrow if that could help. I have another question, what is the best way to secure this bubble coral so that it won't keep falling? I've wedged the base in between two rocks for now but somehow it has fallen a couple times in the past.

[Tangster]

Also any type filamentous algae growth on damaged areas where the flesh has receded can be real trouble. Might want to make sure there not any softs crowding it they can do a little chemical warfare . Is there any corals with in oh ?? about 6 inches or less ?