Candy cane coral dying ?

[tyreefkeeper]

I recently ran out of test kits and none got shipped but ive been keeping up with water changes and all my corals are doing amazing except my candy cane is it dying?? Im quite new to lps corals. My cbs ruinrd the picture sorry.

 

[tyreefkeeper]

By the way the picture makes it look very pale

 

[Catawba_Valley_Reef]

Is it dying…probably not. Is it unhappy? I would say so.

Can you provide a full tank shot so we can see where it’s sitting? Also, what lighting are you using.

And generally we would need to know water params, but it sounds lime you don’t have any test kits.

 

[tyreefkeeper]

Is it dying…probably not. Is it unhappy? I would say so.

Can you provide a full tank shot so we can see where it’s sitting? Also, what lighting are you using.

And generally we would need to know water params, but it sounds lime you don’t have any test kits.

This is the side of the tank its on and im using the biocube 14 stock lights which work quite well.

 

[bluemon]

This is the side of the tank its on and im using the biocube 14 stock lights which work quite well.

What other corals do you have?

None of your other corals (Kenya and zoas) seem to be doing well either.

Will definitely need those parameters

 

[Catawba_Valley_Reef]

I would move it down some and make sure it’s not getting direct flow from a powerhead. Candy canes don’t need a ton of light.

You’ll know it’s happy when the flesh is plump and not retracted/pulled tight against the skeleton.

And agree that you’ll need to test regularly for long-term success. Parameters can swing rapidly in a smaller tank.

Here are mine…three different varieties.

 

[tyreefkeeper]

Sorry this picture was taken at night when all my corals were closed. But the candy cane looks the same at day or night

 

[Catawba_Valley_Reef]

So first step is going to be water tests. If all that checks out, then maybe lighting or flow.

They are generally pretty forgiving corals.

 

[bluemon]

Sorry this picture was taken at night when all my corals were closed. But the candy cane looks the same at day or night

The candy cane doesn’t seem to bad either to be honest.

If it were TRULY struggling, its flesh would be taut against the skeleton, and might even have some skeleton showing

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

What kind of light do you have? Your zoa's beside the candy cane look like they are stretching. Do you have any other flow or just the return? The water surface is very flat, it would be a good idea to get a powerhead and aim it at the surface, even corals need oxygen and they flow to push it down to them. You have to test the water and you have to know your parameters, without test kits its just a guess. As mentioned above, none of your corals look great. You need to test the water.

 

[TheNative192]

This is the side of the tank its on and im using the biocube 14 stock lights which work quite well.

What type of light do you use. In the photo that is a lot of white light but ofc that may be because you were taking photos. If your light has a schedule definitely share it. What do you do to do water changes. Do you have your own RODI and Saltwater? You use Premixed water or do you make your own and with what type of salt. How long have you had the Candy cane coral?

 

[tyreefkeeper]

I took advice into consideration and moved my candycane to the sandbed and did a waterchange and all my corals are also doing amazing. I can send a picture later today. Thanks for all the help!

 

[p1u5h13r4m24]

Good job. You still need to test your parameters. :)

 

[tyreefkeeper]

Good job. You still need to test your parameters. :)

Thanks plan on ordering a test kit today.

 

[p1u5h13r4m24]

Good job. You still need to test your parameters. :)

Thanks plan on ordering a test kit today.

IMO one of the most common and overlooked issues are nutrients are too low or out of balance.(N&P)

 

[JonoH]

Looks like its way to high up - mine prefer low low light - my tank is mostly sps, so i had to hide my candy cane under a ledge.

 

[tyreefkeeper]

Looks like its way to high up - mine prefer low low light - my tank is mostly sps, so i had to hide my candy cane under a ledge.

Once i moved it to the sand it did way better but i might move it under a ledge like you said to make it look as healthy as it used to.

 

[TheNative192]

Once i moved it to the sand it did way better but i might move it under a ledge like you said to make it look as healthy as it used to.

Don’t put it under a ledge. He has an SPS tank the bio cube lights won’t justify it being under a ledge. Those lights may put out 150 par on the high end. The lights on an SPS tank will put 100 par under a ledge lol and 250-400 higher up.

Candy canes need around 50-150 par and also need to get used to the light. My guess is you put it at the top so 150 par after picking it up which can stress the coral especially if you ordered it online.