Why is my Colt Coral Dying

Discussion in 'Soft Corals' started by carpenter, Feb 22, 2010.

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

  1. carpenter

    carpenter Feather Duster

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2009
    Messages:
    246
    Location:
    Tyler, Tx
    My Colt Coral has been looking very sick for about 2 weeks. I know that it started when I dose too much Mg and raised it up to about 1500. Since then I have kept my Ca in check and also 2 water changes of 7 gallons. The symptoms are very retracted polyps and trunk, with a deep purple color.

    I know how you guys are about pics and parameters so when I get off of work I'll post both of them.
     
  2. Click Here!

  3. oceanparadise1

    oceanparadise1 Fire Squid

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2009
    Messages:
    2,932
    Location:
    Rochester,NY
    what type of fish and inverts are in the tank? have you noticed any of them nipping at it? you dont have a angel do you?
     
  4. unclejed

    unclejed Whip-Lash Squid

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2008
    Messages:
    2,964
    Location:
    Clinton Township, Michigan
    Yes, pics will help. Not sure about the Purple color. It is probably reacting to the parameter change.
     
  5. Peredhil

    Peredhil Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2008
    Messages:
    5,176
    Location:
    Texas
    it's not getting blasted with current ? :-/
     
  6. Peredhil

    Peredhil Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2008
    Messages:
    5,176
    Location:
    Texas
    also how is other coral reacting and how fast did you adjust your params?
     
  7. carpenter

    carpenter Feather Duster

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2009
    Messages:
    246
    Location:
    Tyler, Tx
  8. Click Here!

  9. carpenter

    carpenter Feather Duster

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2009
    Messages:
    246
    Location:
    Tyler, Tx
    1 Cleaner Shrimp, 2 Blue Chromis, 1 Yellow Tang, 1 Foxface, 1 Cinnamon Clown, 1 BTA, 6" Frogspawn, 6" Branching Hammer, 6" Fox Coral, Bunches of Mushrooms.

    I haven't noticed anyone nipping at it.
     
  10. carpenter

    carpenter Feather Duster

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2009
    Messages:
    246
    Location:
    Tyler, Tx
    I tested a few parameters:

    KH: 6
    Temp: 78
    Ph: 8.3
    Ca: 420
    Mg: 1420 Red Sea Test Kit
    SG: 1.023 ATS Refractometer
     
  11. exoticsteve2001

    exoticsteve2001 Feather Duster

    Joined:
    Dec 25, 2009
    Messages:
    236
    Your kh should be between 9-12 magnesium shouldnt do that.Maybe to quick of a jump will but I havent had that happen and I've brought mine up 200ppm in 3 days.I can tell when my kh drops because some of my corals will get wimpy looking.
     
  12. carpenter

    carpenter Feather Duster

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2009
    Messages:
    246
    Location:
    Tyler, Tx
    Here are my params as I record them on each date. I only noted the changes after 1-16-2010 if there was a change.

    Jan 16th: Temp 78 Ph 8.3 Ca 400 Mg 1280 SG 1.027
    Jan 24th: Ph 8.0 Ca 420 Mg 1420 SG 1.026 KH 6
    Feb 9th: Ph 8.3 Ca 380 Mg 1540 SG 1.027
    Feb 22nd: Ca 420 Mg 1420

    I added 29/mg of Tech M on Jan 16th.
    I added 17.75/mg of Liquid Calcium on Feb 9th.

    During this process the shrimp molted once, I don't remember exactly but it had been 3 to 6 months since his last molt. Also the tentacles of the anemone have seemed less active.