Problem with Favia

[reelthemin6778]

what is happening to my Favia. Was doing great until two wks ago. Doing a dip just in case. Any ideas?

ph. 8.1
Alk 9.5
Cal 450
Sal. 35.6
All stable.

 

[sculpin01]

Do you mean the tissue regression at the cut margin? Otherwise, it looks healthy.

What are your nitrate and phosphate levels? Alkalinity of 9.5 is also pretty high unless your phosphate is at least 0.15. Alkalinity in the 7.0 - 8.5 range may be a better for you and won’t affect growth significantly l.

 

[reelthemin6778]

Here is another pic, yes the tissue edges

 

[reelthemin6778]

Do you mean the tissue regression at the cut margin? Otherwise, it looks healthy.

What are your nitrate and phosphate levels? Alkalinity of 9.5 is also pretty high unless your phosphate is at least 0.15. Alkalinity in the 7.0 - 8.5 range may be a better for you and won’t affect growth significantly l.

Phos are at 0.03. Hanna tester. Been dealing with keeping them up. Nitrates are at 24.5-30.6

 

[ScottB]

Phos are at 0.03. Hanna tester. Been dealing with keeping them up. Nitrates are at 24.5-30.6

Most corals can do just fine with 30 nitrates if they are acclimated to it over time. A coral (some more than others) CAN struggle to adapt to a sudden shift from say ... 5 parts to 30 parts.

It is very helpful to understand the parameters of the host tank. All of my sources tend to manage similar numbers to mine for ALK, NO3 and PO4.

 

[reelthemin6778]

My nitrates run between 20-30, tank is about 1year old. 17 corals all to seem to be going well. I try to keep all parameters in check without swings. Phos are the only ones that move around some 0.00 to 0.03 give and take.
Two clowns and a Fowler tang. I did a coral dip on the Favia. Will know if things heal up.

 

[sculpin01]

Phosphate of 0.0 to 0.03 is pretty low for that alkalinity. I would drop your alkalinity to the 7 to 8 range and bump your phosphate to 0.05 or higher. Too low phosphate tends to cause regression along the edges/growth tips of corals as growth outstrips resources, leading to tissue death.