Duncan is not doing well...help.

[jmcal]

I've had a Duncan for three months and it was doing really well. It's been shriveled up for three days, and I am starting to think it may be dying. Any thoughts? Ii have noticed a lot of green powder-like algae on the glass lately, but other corals are doing great (zoa, ricordea, candy cane). I direct feed it Reefroids once per week. I would appreciate your advice. Thank you!

 

[EFlop]

You make any changes to your lights? What are your parameters? How long has this aquarium been running for?

 

[davidcalgary29]

They do that at times. I wouldn't panic; it could be getting ready to hive off a new head. There's no harm in checking your water flow and lighting, though. You haven't listed water params, but there's probably nothing serious going on if your other corals are fine.

I'd feed it mysis or some other meaty food, though, if it doesn't get leftovers from feeding time or fish poop. They do like to eat.

 

[jmcal]

You make any changes to your lights? What are your parameters? How long has this aquarium been running for?

Yes to the lights—I recently reduced the whites but he was shriveling before then. I.025 salinity —I don’t know the other numbers, but had the water tested at the LFS and they said “it looked good.” Tank has been running fir three months. Thx!

 

[davidcalgary29]

I.025 salinity —I don’t know the other numbers, but had the water tested at the LFS and they said “it looked good.”

Yeah, about that...

...don't do that. Never rely on someone else to tell you that your numbers are "good"; only you can determine if that's the case. Get a good refractometer (not a swing-arm hydrometer; not a refractometer for alcohol or blood, and get some calibration solution so that you can calibrate it. The only real problems that I've had with my tanks have been caused by wonky salinity levels, and you should get this sorted out now. I doubt that it's a problem for you, but you never know.

 

[jmcal]

Yeah, about that...

...don't do that. Never rely on someone else to tell you that your numbers are "good"; only you can determine if that's the case. Get a good refractometer (not a swing-arm hydrometer; not a refractometer for alcohol or blood, and get some calibration solution so that you can calibrate it. The only real problems that I've had with my tanks have been caused by wonky salinity levels, and you should get this sorted out now. I doubt that it's a problem for you, but you never know.

Thanks. Yes, I have a good refractometer and I test the salinity frequently. It’s the other parameters that I don’t have. I’ve been using the API 5-in-1 test kit...

 

[davidcalgary29]

Thanks. Yes, I have a good refractometer and I test the salinity frequently. It’s the other parameters that I don’t have. I’ve been using the API 5-in-1 test kit...

Do you calibrate the refractometer with 35ppt solution though? Refractometers drift. I have to recalibrate about once every month.

 

[Uncle99]

Reef roids can easily lead to high nutrients.

 

[jmcal]

Do you calibrate the refractometer with 35ppt solution though? Refractometers drift. I have to recalibrate about once every month.

I have not recalibrated, but I will now! Thx.