Acropora Receding/Bleaching Help!

NOV 22


NOV 24



Tank is 6 weeks old. Splendid Leopard Wrasse is the only fish. Im stocking Ricordea, Zoanthids, Candy Cane, Birdsnest, Acropora, Stylophora, Pocilopora, Torch, and Frogspawn

Lighting: coralife aqualightpro. 2-150w mh 2-96w actinics.
Flow: mag12 return (1150gph), 1 Koralia 4, small 100gph powerhead.
ph 8.1-8.2
Temp 78-80
Ammonia-0
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-5
Phosphate-0
Calcium-400
Magnesium-1110
KH-12

What could be causing the receding? I purchased this frag about a week ago. What to do?

 

Calcium-400 little low
Magnesium-1110 little low
KH-12 little high

That's a lot for corals for a tank 6 weeks old

Other than that not really sure, I keep mostly softy

I don't really see the receding in the pictures

 

6 weeks is early at least for long term SPS but I am all for pushing the envelope. I'm not really seeing recession either, hae you kept SPS before?
I ask because new growth on most SPS is white or light brown. Keep an eye on it, if the white goes TOWARD the main stalk of the piece its recession, if the tip is white and it looks longer it could be growth.

Good luck and happy reefing

 

I agree. That's what it looks like to me

 

If there is receding from the base up, check for tiny tiny red spots along the edge where the live flesh meets the exposed skeleton. If you do happen to see those tiny red spots you will need to either treat the coral or fresh water dip it. If thats the case, chances are it has AEFW(acro eating flat worms).

 

I would imagine Stability would be the biggest cause of recession from the base of the coral Are you seeing large swings in your ALK or PH

J

 

how big is your tank and how deep did you place the acro? What type of light was it under at what depth before it went in this tank? You have great light, and acro needs it, but it might need a little acclimation.

 

The receding is on the the bottom of the coral. You could see how its got worse over the 2day period and today its receded more. In a week or 2 the whole thing will probably be white. The tank is 100gal w/20gal sump and 30 gal fuge. Its about 12" under 150w mh. When i got it it was at the bottom of an sps tank, i didnt ask what wattage their halides were but im guessing 400. My Ph is 8.0 in morning and 8.2 at lights out but my alkalinity has went up from 11 to 12 over the last week (i did change atleast 10% of water during this time) so im thinking maybe the water i used had a higher alkalinity.

 

does it have algae growing on the base of the frag?

 

no algae, just coral skeleton