New alveopora closed up

[rowenaad]

I have this alveopora frag for just over a week. It opened up for first 7 days and decided to close up. I target fed reef roid + red sea ab+ the 2 nights before it closes up but it didnt retract at feeding time but retracted slightly the day after, closed up 2 days after and remained/closed up even more for the next 2 days.

salinity: 1.025
alk: 9.9
ph: 7.8-8.1
nitrate: 27
phosphate: 0.1
calcium: 450
magnesium: 1320

ICT test sample water still on its way out so not sure about trace element but im doing 3% daily water change, i would be very surprised it would react so quickly even if im low on trace elements.

It was on the sandbed getting ~100PAR and low~moderate flow. The first day after feeding, it didnt retract completely but looking tense feels very slightly bleached? on the same day i adjusted the flow and bta went for a wander but they didnt touch. its probably getting low flow now. Yesterday i moved it under a bit of shade and that didnt seem to help and it closed up even more. I dont think any of the tank mate has harassed it. My clownfish only go after the gonis but they are doing fine. The gorgonian was shedding around the period but i run activated carbon. I never had any long term success with alveos but it has never been this quick. What should i try? leave it there? higher flow? even lower light?

2 days before feeding:

The day after feeding:

now:

full tank:

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I would move it out of the corner into more light and flow

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have this alveopora frag for just over a week. It opened up for first 7 days and decided to close up. I target fed reef roid + red sea ab+ the 2 nights before it closes up but it didnt retract at feeding time but retracted slightly the day after, closed up 2 days after and remained/closed up even more for the next 2 days.

salinity: 1.025
alk: 9.9
ph: 7.8-8.1
nitrate: 27
phosphate: 0.1
calcium: 450
magnesium: 1320

ICT test sample water still on its way out so not sure about trace element but im doing 3% daily water change, i would be very surprised it would react so quickly even if im low on trace elements.

It was on the sandbed getting ~100PAR and low~moderate flow. The first day after feeding, it didnt retract completely but looking tense feels very slightly bleached? on the same day i adjusted the flow and bta went for a wander but they didnt touch. its probably getting low flow now. Yesterday i moved it under a bit of shade and that didnt seem to help and it closed up even more. I dont think any of the tank mate has harassed it. My clownfish only go after the gonis but they are doing fine. The gorgonian was shedding around the period but i run activated carbon. I never had any long term success with alveos but it has never been this quick. What should i try? leave it there? higher flow? even lower light?

2 days before feeding:

The day after feeding:

now:

full tank:

bring them up off the sand a little as sand can irritate them. Alveopora are photosynthetic corals and get their energy from light for color and energy. Inadequate lighting will cause them to change color and even shrink. If there is a change in lighting you will have a clue for determining issues. Water flow has a similar effect - too much flow will kill some of its cells as moderate to medium flow is a must to keep their tentacles moving to keep debris off of them and deliver food in which they regularly need. Adding aminos to the tank is a plus for their health.
Some good foods are chopped krill, mysis shrimp, phyto and zooplankton. Im not a fan of powdered plankton foods as they can raise phosphates quickly but they work well with goni and alveopora.
Assure no3 and po4 Not elevated. Also having some Manganese in the water helps them to reduce stress in general

 

[rowenaad]

Thanks for advice. I broadcast aminos and live phyto daily and mysis weekly. I have moved it to the middle on a frag holder a little above the sand getting ~120PAR and moderate flow. It has not opened up yet but ill leave it there and see what happens. The only problem is its now within clownfish's sight and they will surely harass it

 

[rowenaad]

Quick update: after moving it to the middle of front and lifted slightly over the sand, the polyps are coming out more and more day by day. Clownfish has moved away from this area to the back of the tank with the BTA so its safe now. Although it still doesnt extend fully, i think its on the right track, but am i just paranoid or it looks slightly bleach for others too?


Also ICT test result comes back with 0 Manganese and TM A & K should arrive today. Hope that can help

 

[BryanM]

OOh, I like the progress. Congrats, I suspect it will continue to get better!