Duncan coral woes, not opening

Discussion in 'Coral Health' started by zoazack911, Oct 2, 2011.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. zoazack911

    zoazack911 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2011
    Messages:
    78
    Location:
    Fairbanks, AK
    Hello I have a Duncan that I bought 2 weeks ago. I placed it low in the tank as to provide it subdued lighting. It opened immediately and stayed open 24 hours a day for the first week. It had enough current to gently sway its polyps. It was very receptive to target feedings of mysis shrimp and pieces of raw table shrimp. After a week of being open it closed up and hasnt opened since. It partially expanded during the night a few days ago but then closed up when the lights came on. Has not been open since.
    Perameters are:

    Nitrate, ammonia, nitrates, and phosphate are undetectable using 2 different brands of test. I actively skim and use carbon in filter and have no diatome or algae growth
    ph 8.3
    SG: 1.024
    Temp: 84
    Calcium: 380 ppm
    dkH: 9
    Photoperiod is 8 hours
    Other corals in the tank are purple blastomussa, light green favia, frog spawn, pocillopora, yellow star polyps and blue clove polyps. However no corals are near the duncan. All other corals are thriving and fully expand
    Fish are 1 clown, 1 three stripe damsel, 1 bicolor goby and 1 pajama cardinal and a brittle star.

    ANY IDEAS WHY IT WONT OPEN? PLEASE HELP. THANKS
     
  2. Click Here!

  3. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2010
    Messages:
    19,652
    Location:
    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    My duncan does not like temps above 82. It will not open if another coral is even slightly brushing or touching it.

    What type of lighting is it under?
     
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2011
  4. zoazack911

    zoazack911 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2011
    Messages:
    78
    Location:
    Fairbanks, AK
    The duncan is under two 10,000k t8s and one 50/50 actinic t8. It is approximately 10 inches below lights is a partially shaded area of the tank. All the other corals in the tank are prospering and growing rapidly even the pocillopora sps.
     
  5. N8thanExpl0sion

    N8thanExpl0sion Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2010
    Messages:
    43
    Location:
    Boynton Beach FL
    +1 on the temperature
    Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
     
  6. bulldogniner

    bulldogniner Feather Duster

    Joined:
    May 4, 2010
    Messages:
    248
    Location:
    Dallas
    I have had mine for a year or so and it will go through phases where it doesn't open as much, and they will last about a day. At one point shortly after introduction it stayed closed for about 4-5 days. Sometimes it is just adjusting. I also don't target feed mine and it has tripled in size since I got it. I keep my water around 78 degrees and I think all my corals do better this way. Good luck and don't stress too much!

    One other thing to note is if you have shrimp in the tank; my cleaner shrimp regularly pounces it in search for a meal. It doesn't really like it, but I guess has got used to it by now.
     
  7. proreefer

    proreefer Feather Star

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2011
    Messages:
    776
    Location:
    georgia

    get the temp down a bit i don't like over 80 i know alot of reefers are runing higher temps but i believe 80 or under is the way to go and the duncan can take alot of wind
     
  8. Click Here!

  9. NanaReefer

    NanaReefer Fu Manchu Lion Fish

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2011
    Messages:
    1,911
    I also agree on the temp of 84 being to high. Not just for the Duncan either. Just curious, when you do your top off how do you add the water to your tank? I've noticed when I top off and pour the water *anywhere near* the duncan this seems to really tick it off.
     
  10. zoazack911

    zoazack911 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2011
    Messages:
    78
    Location:
    Fairbanks, AK
    I top off by pooring water into the top of one of my korelias in the tank. Its pointed away from all the corals and i try not to poor freshwater anywhere near corals. I will try dropping the temp slowly to 78 degrees or so. thanks for the ideas. if anyone else has ideas keep em coming thanks again
     
  11. Pastey

    Pastey Ritteri Anemone

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2011
    Messages:
    638
    I keep my tank around 80-82 with no ill affects. Just don't alter the temperature too quickly.
     
  12. Zechenia

    Zechenia Corkscrew Tentacle Anemone

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2011
    Messages:
    731
    Location:
    Spokane, WA
    I had a duncun do the exact same thing. Openned up well for a few weeks then just stopped and eventually whithered away.

    This happened as summer warmed up. My two theories: overheated during the day, or salinity was changing too much from evaporation.