Candy cane coral help.

Samoll · May 1, 2022

Hi. My tank is 6 months old and doing well. Except for a poorly candy cane. I was told I had it too high in the tank and after starting well I thought it was going to die. I moved it to the bottom of the tank about 2 months ago and even though I thought I was wasting my time it seems to be showing signs of life. Is there anything else I can do to help the coral or am I just wasting my time. Any advice would be welcome. Thanks.

Mr. Mojo Rising · May 1, 2022

There is a lot of flesh so it can definately come back if the conditions are correct, its a very resilient coral. You haven't provided any info about your tank, so its hard to make a guess as to what is happening. It likes medium light, low/medium flow, and likes to be fed once in a while.

Is it the only coral in the tank? How are the others doing? How long have you had it? What are the tank parameters? Tankmates? More info will give us more ideas as to what could be happening.

Samoll · May 1, 2022

I have a fluval evo 13.5. I have upgraded pump to ehiem 1000 and added in tank filter baskets.
Parameters are
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10ppm
GH 180
KH 190
Phosphate 0.10(added rowaphos to help with this. Only been in tank 3 days)
PH varies from 9.5 - 8.2. Can't seem to get this stable.
Calcium 420ppm
Salinity is constant at 1.025
Temp 25.5 c

Samoll · May 1, 2022

I also have frogspawn which is growing nice. Pulsing xenia which is growing fast and a branching hammer which is growing but very slowly.

Samoll · May 1, 2022

vetteguy53081 · May 1, 2022

Samoll said:
I have a fluval evo 13.5. I have upgraded pump to ehiem 1000 and added in tank filter baskets.
Parameters are
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10ppm
GH 180
KH 190
Phosphate 0.10(added rowaphos to help with this. Only been in tank 3 days)
PH varies from 9.5 - 8.2. Can't seem to get this stable.
Calcium 420ppm
Salinity is constant at 1.025
Temp 25.5 c

Part of issue will be parameters. Your numbers tell me you are using test strip which are more than Inaccurate as is API test kits. The strips share readings with freshwater.
Ph reading suggests an issue with alk levels.
Moderate light and water flow and lower third of tank for location. Feed brine shrimp or mysis shrimp 2-3x per week,
I would also suggest taking a good water sample to a trusted LFS that does Not use Api test kits and see what readings they come up with and to compare with yours

exnisstech · May 1, 2022

Candy canes are one of the corals I have not been able to keep. I have tried twice and they just die off one head at a time until gone while everything else is doing fine. I gave up trying to grow zoas also. I'm probably wrong but I've come to the conclusion that some stuff just does not do well in certain tanks.

Samoll · May 1, 2022

vetteguy53081 said:
Part of issue will be parameters. Your numbers tell me you are using test strip which are more than Inaccurate as is API test kits. The strips share readings with freshwater.
Ph reading suggests an issue with alk levels.
Moderate light and water flow and lower third of tank for location. Feed brine shrimp or mysis shrimp 2-3x per week,
I would also suggest taking a good water sample to a trusted LFS that does Not use Api test kits and see what readings they come up with and to compare with yours

I use the api test kits. Are these a waste. What would you recommend to use at home.?

vetteguy53081 · May 1, 2022

Samoll said:
I use the api test kits. Are these a waste. What would you recommend to use at home.?

hanna and salifert wont let you down. While some have luck with API, it has been notorious for false reading results letting many reefers down, Reason I suggested having another LFS test for you so you Know where you are at