Jekyll and Hyde coral

[Slawman]

Most of my softies go through a stage where they get covered with algae and basically look dead (and unpleasant). This can last days, weeks or even months. Here is a pic of one coming out of its coma. They then come back as good as new. Does anyone know why they do this and if there is anything I can do husbandry wise to stop it happening or speed it up when it does happen?

 

[fishguy242]

yes is molting period,part of growing in leathers esp toads:)

 

[Slawman]

yes is molting period,part of growing in leathers esp toads:)

This is the general opinion however, the coral in the pic has literally doubled in size over 18 months without doing this at all and then bang, it goes into a coma. So what part of growing is this or is it also caused by something going on in my tank?