Duncan question?

Nanoclowndave

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For the past couple weeks my Duncan has looked like this. Before that he was thriving. I bought him with 2 heads and he now has 6 but the past couple weeks he has closed up. I was wondering what were some common things that annoy Duncan’s and cause them to close. All my other coral (sps included) has full poly extension and is very happy. I was wondering if anyone had any insight into the Duncan’s mind.

I have attached pictures of my Duncan so maybe you can see something I’m not?

D958DE84-3758-4319-815D-E868A2969198.jpeg 459E2F3D-E873-4B79-8A40-BC545C79E80B.jpeg
 
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Nanoclowndave

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What are your parameters? The colors look off on several things.

I will do another test tonight but I struggle very hard with keeping mg, alk, and calc up.

I do water changes weekly with Red Sea coral pro and after test I’m usually always adding all 3 elements
 
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Nanoclowndave

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Got home late last night (had a few drinks) and didn’t get to test the water.

Just did a test and these are my parameters:

Phosphate: >0.25ppm
Nitrate: >5.0ppm
Cal: 370
Kh: 8dkh
Mg: 1200
Ph: 8.0
Sg: 1.0235
 
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Nanoclowndave

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Something probably nibbled on it.

I do have a peppermint shrimp that has no more aiptasia to eat. But I haven’t seen him near my Duncan or picking at any other corals for that matter. He eats daily when I feed the fish as well
 

jgvergo

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Just out of curiosity, how long did to take to grow the additional 4 heads? I've had a Duncan for 18 months. It is super healthy looking and plump, but it's still a single head. I asked a vendor at Reefapalooza what the trick is, and he said to feed it pellets. I've been doing that, but I don't have any additional heads yet.
 
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Nanoclowndave

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Just out of curiosity, how long did to take to grow the additional 4 heads? I've had a Duncan for 18 months. It is super healthy looking and plump, but it's still a single head. I asked a vendor at Reefapalooza what the trick is, and he said to feed it pellets. I've been doing that, but I don't have any additional heads yet.

He grew the other heads within 6 months like one after another. I usually spot feed once a week alternating between reef roids, and Mysis shrimp to him. I also use fuel twice a week
 

jgvergo

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I spot feed a mixture of Reef Roids, Mysis and pellets, but I have no new heads yet :(
 
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Biokabe

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Duncans are more sensitive to nitrates than many corals... mine has resembled that when I've had nitrate explosions. I don't know exactly when it starts being a problem, but I've heard it's right around 10 ppm.

Other than that, nibbling would be my guess.
 

jgvergo

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Numbers look good. I keep my Alk aroubd 7.5-7.6 and no3 5-10. Feed 2x a week with reef frenzy. Started as 3 heads about 2 years ago and has been trimmed heavily several times.
3EF1F07F-4DEE-41CB-A14F-277824A074E8.jpeg
Now THAT is a Duncan!! Here is mine...as I said, it's very healthy looking, but it's not growing heads.
1568673854322.png
1568673854322.png
 

Biokabe

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If we're sharing Duncans...

1568674717788.png


Started as two heads about... maybe a year ago. Currently up to about 20 last time I counted. It gets fed at least 3-4 times a week with Reef Frenzy.
 

Bbfishb81

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Your mag and calcium are a bit low. I typically try to keep my mag between 1350-1500, and calcium between 400-500. Seems like a broad range, but I dont always have time to dose regularly. They raising your mag and calcium. See if that helps. I fragged my duncan 9 months ago and it has tripled in size since then.
 

Brandon Smith

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I did buy a Duncan with 2 heads and for some reason it got unhappy for a time and even lost a head. It was in an IM 25 lagoon at the time. I moved it over to my 140 gallon frag tank once it was cycled, AMD now it has probably 8 smaller heads on it. I think it is just about stability honestly.

You said you are have a hard time keeping your parameters stable. Do you know why, or what you think might be the issue?
 

MTBake

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My Duncan looks similar. And has for 2 months now. I do have a clownfish that won't leave it alone though. I've always thought it was because of that. But I've been wondering if it's something else the past week or so.
 
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