New Alveopora frag

[Timmybee]

Hi Reefers. I recently placed a small Alveopora frag in my tank. Within a day when it remained closed up, it was fully extended and enjoying its new home. Since the 3rd day it has not come out at all and has been like that for 3 days. The coral itself looks perfectly fine and I do understand that it takes time for these guys to acclimatise and get used to conditions so they may stay closed for several days.

Any ideas why it would open and be super happy after a few days then not come out for 3 days following the. From time to time some of the polyps rear the little head but don’t extend, then they just retract.

All parameters are perfect.

Salinity - 1.0265
Cal - 450
Mg - 1380
KH - 8.9
Nitrate - 10ppm
Phos - 0.03

Any general reassurance would be great. I also understand these guys don’t like to be constantly moved around so I have not been touching the coral. Its placement is about half way up my tank on the rock shelf with medium to low flow and medium lighting on that rock shelf.

 

[allof fish]

Hi Reefers. I recently placed a small Alveopora frag in my tank. Within a day when it remained closed up, it was fully extended and enjoying its new home. Since the 3rd day it has not come out at all and has been like that for 3 days. The coral itself looks perfectly fine and I do understand that it takes time for these guys to acclimatise and get used to conditions so they may stay closed for several days.

Any ideas why it would open and be super happy after a few days then not come out for 3 days following the. From time to time some of the polyps rear the little head but don’t extend, then they just retract.

All parameters are perfect.

Salinity - 1.0265
Cal - 450
Mg - 1380
KH - 8.9
Nitrate - 10ppm
Phos - 0.03

Any general reassurance would be great. I also understand these guys don’t like to be constantly moved around so I have not been touching the coral. Its placement is about half way up my tank on the rock shelf with medium to low flow and medium lighting on that rock shelf.

Give it 2 weeks. I had 1 one time where it took a long time to come out. Just takes adjusting. As long as it’s not turning white just give it some time

 

[Timmybee]

Thankyou. I wouldn’t usually be too concerned it just that it came out in full
Blossom nicer than it did when I picked it up. For about a day it was amazing then in a flash even before the end of the day on the lights it disappeared. Ok I’ll be patient. No white spots are visible at the moment.

 

[docscorals]

Agree give it a little time.

2 general recommendations I generally give for these types of corals. First, consider running your magnesium a little higher - around 1450. Second, check our manganese levels if you run ICPs. Manganese helps promote polyp extension with flower pot corals and Euphyllia.

 

[Timmybee]

Just about to organise an ICP as well so thanks for the recommendation. Mag was running quite high for some time so I reduced the dosing so I’ll get on to that. Thankyou.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Pictures always help, but in general I find they like medium lighting and good amount of flow.

 

[Timmybee]

Here is a photo. I’ve segregated this to rock shelve for one more Coral from the same family. The photo shows a couple of little polyps popping their heads out.

Anyway happy to get thoughts. I’m not concerned it looks healthy just hiding.

 

[get-salty]

How old is the tank and what brand test kit are you using?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Do you have other corals in the tank? How are they doing?

 

[Timmybee]

Yes I do have other corals in the tank and they are all going well. The other corals are very easy and simple to keep. I also have a Malu anemone which is also thriving.


I testing all my parameters using salifert.

The tank is about 4 months old. I’ve been keeping fish since I was 16, so for 30 years but I’ve never really set up a tank the way I’ve set this one up. It’s probably too young to have this type of coral but I’m very disciplined with my husbandry. The only thing that i have yet to do is an ICP test.

 

[get-salty]

Yes I do have other corals in the tank and they are all going well. The other corals are very easy and simple to keep. I also have a Malu anemone which is also thriving.


I testing all my parameters using salifert.

The tank is about 4 months old. I’ve been keeping fish since I was 16, so for 30 years but I’ve never really set up a tank the way I’ve set this one up. It’s probably too young to have this type of coral but I’m very disciplined with my husbandry. The only thing that i have yet to do is an ICP test.

I first thought is your water parameters.. looking at the rock in your picture there shows a very young tank.
Salifert is a great brand right there along with Hanna, however, it is very hard to get a precise measurement - as your parameters you listed seems very almost perfect but i highly thought those are the correct and consistent #s. New setups will have swings, even your #s are good at the time..

I'd have to say your water is not ready yet for this coral. Keep doing what you're doing and hopefully in a few months try adding hammers or zoas. Good luck and happy reefing.

 

[get-salty]

I first thought is your water parameters.. looking at the rock in your picture there shows a very young tank.
Salifert is a great brand right there along with Hanna, however, it is very hard to get a precise measurement - as your parameters you listed seems very almost perfect but i highly thought those are the correct and consistent #s. New setups will have swings, even your #s are good at the time..

I'd have to say your water is not ready yet for this coral. Keep doing what you're doing and hopefully in a few months try adding hammers or zoas. Good luck and happy reefing.

EDIT:

My first thought is your water parameters.. looking at the rock in your picture there shows a very young tank.
Salifert is a great brand right there along with Hanna, however, it is very hard to get a precise measurement - as your parameters you listed seems perfect but i highly doubt that those are the correct. New setups will have swings, even your #s are good at the time..

I'd have to say your water is not ready yet for this coral. Keep doing what you're doing and hopefully in a few months try adding hammers or zoas. Good luck and happy reefing.