Dead spots on favia

[RobertK]

I've had this coral for at least 12 years, it grew into this beautiful dome from a little frag. I love the little cave under it as some of my fish like to hang out under there, so I like to place it as in the first photo with the cave showing. Last fall my stand failed and I had to take the tank down in a hurry; for the last 9 months the corals were in a temporary tank with marginal water quality while I was getting a new tank. This one developed some reddish brown patches as shown. I've removed a few small pieces of bubble algae from the dead areas. One of my other favias had a much worse case of this in the temporary tank and had to be fragged. This one is now in the new tank with good water quality but I'm not sure if these spots will heal. I could just leave it as is and observe it, or even turn it so the dead areas are not showing (as in the second photo), but I don't want this to spread and kill the coral, and I would prefer not to frag this one too. What would you do? Appreciate any advice!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

#reefsquad

 

[Rocks reef]

I would leave it be and see if the flesh regrows over those areas.

 

[thamnasteroid]

Is it spreading? Params? Could possibly also be a coral disease

 

[RobertK]

Is it spreading? Params? Could possibly also be a coral disease

It was spreading while in the temporary tank, but there has been no obvious further spreading since putting it in the new tank 2 wks ago.

Temp 77
SG 1.026
NO3 10
PO4 2.8
Alk 7.9
Ca 425

Just started dosing AFR a few days ago so alk and Ca not stable yet.

 

[thamnasteroid]

It was spreading while in the temporary tank, but there has been no obvious further spreading since putting it in the new tank 2 wks ago.

Temp 77
SG 1.026
NO3 10
PO4 2.8
Alk 7.9
Ca 425

Just started dosing AFR a few days ago so alk and Ca not stable yet.

phosphates very high; is that the correct reading or is the decimal place wrong? Could possibly be your problem

 

[RobertK]

phosphates very high; is that the correct reading or is the decimal place wrong? Could possibly be your problem

sorry, my bad.
PO4 = 0.28

 

[thamnasteroid]

sorry, my bad.
PO4 = 0.28

still very high, ideal phosphate is .10 or less
Prolly should do a water change or something, always worked for me

 

[RobertK]

So I did a water change a month ago and ended up with a massive dino outbreak. I'm making progress with that but this coral has gotten worse. Compare this photo with the last one I posted in 6 weeks ago. In addition to spreading there is now some GHA visible in the dead area on the left. I think I'll have to cut it in half. That fish is going to be mad at me!