Trying sps for first time

[Hannahmunt]

Hello

I recently bought a frag of forest fire. It’s been in the tank now over a week and is still closed up.

am I doing something wrong?

water parameters:
Nitrate: 5.1
Po4: 0.17
Dkh: 8.3
Ca: 460
Mg: 1440
Ph: 8.3
Nh3: 0

I’ve attached a photo of the frag for reference.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Your levels look OK, but that coral does not look healthy. A forest fire digi should be reddish even when it's new to the tank. What did it look like at the LFS? Or did you get it online?

 

[Bucs20fan]

It definitely should not be that color. And judging by the algae growing on it, it may very well be dead. Also because of the algae, its for sure not in enough flow.

 

[Bucs20fan]

I dont see any hint of the orange/ reddish polyps you should see, even when they are retracted. You very well may have just a skeleton left.

 

[Dburr1014]

Hello

I recently bought a frag of forest fire. It’s been in the tank now over a week and is still closed up.

am I doing something wrong?

water parameters:
Nitrate: 5.1
Po4: 0.17
Dkh: 8.3
Ca: 460
Mg: 1440
Ph: 8.3
Nh3: 0

I’ve attached a photo of the frag for reference.

He's dead Jim.
Sorry op, must have rtn'd when you went looking. It has algae going on it.

Edit, do you have a pic when you bought it? Is this what it looked like when you bought it? If yes, you got ripped off.

 

[Hannahmunt]

Your levels look OK, but that coral does not look healthy. A forest fire digi should be reddish even when it's new to the tank. What did it look like at the LFS? Or did you get it online?

I ordered online from someone I know.

this was the first day adding to the tank.

 

[Ancient Mariner]

You havent necessarily done anything wrong. Early on I lost a few digi frags. I thought they got too much light but most likely my tank wasnt ready. 3 years later I have to trim back the digi colonies monthly or more. I did nothing different except allow my tank to mature more.

 

[Hannahmunt]

You havent necessarily done anything wrong. Early on I lost a few digi frags. I thought they got too much light but most likely my tank wasnt ready. 3 years later I have to trim back the digi colonies monthly or more. I did nothing different except allow my tank to mature more.

My tank is only 8 months old, so your right it’s probably not ready yet. Ah well will get more frags in the future and see how I get on

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I suggest that you look on your local online classifieds, kijiji or facebook market or whatever. There is likely at least a dozen hobbyists near you selling frags of forest fire digi for $10-$15-$20, probably within 20 minute drive from you, everyone sells those things. That way you support your peers, and get it cheaper and fresher.

 

[Epic Aquaculture]

Looks dead and it looks like a fresh cut as there is no encrusting. Fresh cuts have a lower survivability when shipped than fully healed frags...

 

[Hannahmunt]

Looks dead and it looks like a fresh cut as there is no encrusting. Fresh cuts have a lower survivability when shipped than fully healed frags...

That’s a shame. I contact the seller who said he will send me a few easier sps frags to try

 

[Hannahmunt]

Looks dead and it looks like a fresh cut as there is no encrusting. Fresh cuts have a lower survivability when shipped than fully healed frags...

Update…

I move the frag onto a rack and noticed little red dots. Is it making a come back?

 

[Wolf89]

Update…

I move the frag onto a rack and noticed little red dots. Is it making a come back?

It's not 100% dead. There's a lot of polyps still alive. It can make a recovery, but it will take a long time. Good luck

 

[Bucs20fan]

I do see polyps for sure. Its going to need high light and high flow in order to recover. A healthy digi can tolerate just about anything as far as nitrates go, but make sure yours are not too high as you want optimal conditions for recovery.

Also take a turkey baster and blow the algae off the frag completely if you can.

 

[Dburr1014]

Update…

I move the frag onto a rack and noticed little red dots. Is it making a come back?

Doesn't hurt to leave it in the tank.
Do pick off that algae carefully if you can.