Help with deteriorating coral.

[banana2026]

this coral was fine 5 or so days ago. i haven’t changed anything in the tank other than adding a carbon infused filter pad. which i have removed at the time of these photos.
setup:
two months old
20 gallon long
popbloom light set at 30%
canister filter
purple rock
zoas gsp frilly mushrooms kenya tree and this coral(what is she?)
2 ocelaris clowns
2 hermit crabs several snails.
1 shrimp

parameters
salinity 1.026
alk 11.2
phosphate 0.21
calcium 430
nitrate 5ppm
temp 78

 

[Baldyreef]

this coral was fine 5 or so days ago. i haven’t changed anything in the tank other than adding a carbon infused filter pad. which i have removed at the time of these photos.
setup:
two months old
20 gallon long
popbloom light set at 30%
canister filter
purple rock
zoas gsp frilly mushrooms kenya tree and this coral(what is she?)
2 ocelaris clowns
2 hermit crabs several snails.
1 shrimp

parameters
salinity 1.026
alk 11.2
phosphate 0.21
calcium 430
nitrate 5ppm
temp 78

your phosphates seem to be high
any swings?
what flow is it in?
is it directly under the light or in a higher light spot?
how long have you had it?
as far as identification it is definitely a leather but hard to tell exact type due to its current state, most likely toadstool

 

[The Ugly Phase]

tank too young imo

my phosphate is 0.17 and my corals are doing fine

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Is your popbloom the rl60 or the rl90? I'm just wondering why your running it at only 30%? If it is the RL60, then it should be at 90%-100%, if its the RL90, then I would start it at about 50%. I'm thinking your light is too low. You have a long tank, and I see your coral is in the corner of the tank, many lights advertise a light width of 24", but in reality I find 14"-16" is more realistic, so if the coral is too far to the side of the light, its getting even less light.

Your alk is also on the higher side IMO, any reason to keep it so high?

Can you also advise which test kits you are using?

I cannot tell what kind of coral that is. But the carbon is not the problem, it is just coincidence that the coral closed up at the same time you added the carbon

 

[banana2026]

your phosphates seem to be high
any swings?
what flow is it in?
is it directly under the light or in a higher light spot?
how long have you had it?
as far as identification it is definitely a leather but hard to tell exact type due to its current state, most likely toadstool

my phosphates bottomed out a week ago. lfs is the one testing my water so they recommended i feed more to bring it up. lower flow- got a new wave maker coming in the mail today.
its in the corner of tank in moderate to low light.

 

[banana2026]

Is your popbloom the rl60 or the rl90? I'm just wondering why your running it at only 30%? If it is the RL60, then it should be at 90%-100%, if its the RL90, then I would start it at about 50%. I'm thinking your light is too low. You have a long tank, and I see your coral is in the corner of the tank, many lights advertise a light width of 24", but in reality I find 14"-16" is more realistic, so if the coral is too far to the side of the light, its getting even less light.

Your alk is also on the higher side IMO, any reason to keep it so high?

Can you also advise which test kits you are using?

I cannot tell what kind of coral that is. But the carbon is not the problem, it is just coincidence that the coral closed up at the same time you added the carbon

it’s the rl60 but 90-100% is extremely bright and all my my other corals close if i run it that high.
alk being high isn’t intentional.
my lfs tests the water for me.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

it’s the rl60 but 90-100% is extremely bright and all my my other corals close if i run it that high.
alk being high isn’t intentional.
my lfs tests the water for me.

did you rent a par meter?
I have similar lights with similar tank sizes, I only have nano tanks. 30% is way too low IMO just my 2 cents, good luck

 

[banana2026]

did you rent a par meter?
I have similar lights with similar tank sizes, I only have nano tanks. 30% is way too low IMO just my 2 cents, good luck

i didn’t. maybe i should slowly raise the light and see if everyone adjusts better. thank you

 

[banana2026]

did you rent a par meter?
I have similar lights with similar tank sizes, I only have nano tanks. 30% is way too low IMO just my 2 cents, good luck

i didn’t. maybe i should slowly raise the light and see if everyone adjusts better. thank you

 

[ReneReef]

it’s the rl60 but 90-100% is extremely bright and all my my other corals close if i run it that high.
alk being high isn’t intentional.
my lfs tests the water for me.

“Extremely bright” to you is very likely dim to corals. @Mr. Mojo Rising ‘s advice is spot on. No need for a PAR meter at this stage.

For spread I think it would be best to get a second rl60 and run them up to 60%.

 

[banana2026]

“Extremely bright” to you is very likely dim to corals. @Mr. Mojo Rising ‘s advice is spot on. No need for a PAR meter at this stage.

will higher light help this coral heal or is he a goner?

 

[Tahoe61]

Hi, and #WelcometoR2R.

It would behoove you to purchase your own test kits. The LFS is likely not entirely accurate when testing the water.
Salifert test kits are easy to use and inexpensive. Alk and Calcium test kits would be a good start. Make sure you have a reliable way to measure SG. You will eventually save money on live stock by doing your own testing.

 

[Baldyreef]

your phosphates seem to be high
any swings?
what flow is it in?
is it directly under the light or in a higher light spot?
how long have you had it?
as far as identification it is definitely a leather but hard to tell exact type due to its current state, most likely toadstool

my phosphates bottomed out a week ago. lfs is the one testing my water so they recommended i feed more to bring it up. lower flow- got a new wave maker coming in the mail today.
its in the corner of tank in moderate to low light.

Kind of odd they’d tell you to put it that high, I’d personally bring it down to around 0.15

 

[Baldyreef]

“Extremely bright” to you is very likely dim to corals. @Mr. Mojo Rising ‘s advice is spot on. No need for a PAR meter at this stage.

will higher light help this coral heal or is he a goner?

Leathers are pretty hardy so a good chance it will pull through

 

[banana2026]

Kind of odd they’d tell you to put it that high, I’d personally bring it down to around 0.15

they didn’t necessarily say to take it to 0.21. it was just at zero so i over fed and the next testing showed it that high. should i do a 10% water change?

 

[banana2026]

Leathers are pretty hardy so a good chance it will pull through

should i do a reef dip or anything?

 

[Baldyreef]

Leathers are pretty hardy so a good chance it will pull through

should i do a reef dip or anything?

Shouldn’t really be needed in this case

 

[Baldyreef]

Kind of odd they’d tell you to put it that high, I’d personally bring it down to around 0.15

they didn’t necessarily say to take it to 0.21. it was just at zero so i over fed and the next testing showed it that high. should i do a 10% water change?

Definitely will help and is advisable