FAQs about Pocilloporid Corals
Systems
Related Articles: Pocilloporids, SPS Corals,
Related FAQs: Pocilloporids 1, Pocilloporids 2, & FAQs on: Pocilloporid Identification, Pocilloporid Behavior, Pocilloporid Compatibility, Pocilloporid Selection, Pocilloporid Feeding, Pocilloporid Health, Pocilloporid Reproduction/Propagation,
& Stony/True Coral,
Coral System Set-Up, Coral System Lighting, Stony Coral Identification, Stony Coral Selection, Coral Placement, Foods/Feeding/Nutrition, Disease/Health, Propagation, Growing Reef Corals, Stony Coral Behavior, SPS Identification, SPS Behavior, SPS
Compatibility, SPS Selection,
SPS Systems, SPS Feeding, SPS
Disease, SPS Reproduction,
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Pink Birds Nest with some sort of algae growing on the tips
9/23/11
Hey Crew,
<John>
I have a pink birds nest coral that has been in my tank for 3 months
and showing stunning color and extremely fast growth during that time.
Three days ago I upgraded the powerhead that was operating in its
vicinity to a magnum 6, almost tripling flow in that area. The
powerhead is controlled by a wave maker, but the flow was pretty much
directed at the birds nest.
<Mmm... I would re-direct this... this genus, these species of stony
corals don't live in situations of such high water movement>
Yesterday, I noticed that the beautiful whitish/pinkish growth tips are
turning brown and there seems to be some brownish flesh blowing in the
current (only noticeable on close inspection). From the looks of it, it
was diatoms or some similar algae. At first I thought it was dead
polyps, but this doesn't appear to be the case. It only inflicted
the tips, and mostly on the side of the coral that's facing the
powerhead. I always thought more flow was better for sps corals,
<Mmm, no; not so w/ all families, species, colonies>
but could the increased intensity of flow somehow leave the coral
vulnerable to algae?
<Yes indeed>
This seems counter-intuitive....
Levels are NO4 <3>=0 , PO4=0,
<... need some/detectable nitrate and soluble phosphate>
ALK=9 dKH, Calcium=440, magnesium=1400
No other corals are touching or even near the birdsnest (only a
Stylophora frag and an Acro frag (ample spacing provided). No other
area of the tank appears to be inflicted with similar-looking algae.
It's kind of like a brown dusting on the tips, and it comes off
with a soft bristle tooth brush, which I've used for two days now.
I first noticed the algae the morning after adding the new powerhead.
Seems like quite a coincidence considering it was stable up to that
point.
Thanks in advance for your help, and sorry that I cannot provide a
picture.
I will try to upload one later this afternoon if it's
necessary.
Underneath the "algae" the coral appears to still be healthy.
Good color, polyps look like they're extended, but it's hard to
see the smaller ones near the tips.
John
<I wish you were out here w/ me in Fiji... Easy to show ecoclinal
variation by water movement, light availability, siltation extent and
more... Bob Fenner>
New coral help... Pocillopora lgtg., Acanthastrea
current... 1/14/11
Hey crew,
<Michael>
I tried to find some info about this question but never found a direct
answer to this question, hope you can help. I just got a Pocillopora
damicornis sps frag about 2 days ago. In the retailers tank it was
under metal halide lighting high up. My tanks lighting is 2x55w
10000k/antic compact t-5s and 2 Ecoxotic stunner strips, 1 is
8000k/antic and the other is 8000k. I placed the coral about 6 inches
from the top in a indirect current since this coral seems to favor
less. I noticed that for the past 2 days the coral is losing its brown
color but the polyps are keeping its green and are extended. Its
turning a pale tan and heading to a white color. My question is should
I move it down the tank?
<... do you have access to a PAR meter?>
or just leave it alone?
<I'd leave where it is>
I really don't want to lose it and it comes paired with a crab that
lives on it so it would make him homeless. I also have a Acan which I
was wondering does it favor less current or more?
<Less than Pocillopora spp.>
I have read so many different views on the Acan I just cant figure out
which is best. I currently have it in a indirect low current.
<Likely fine...>
Thanks again for all the help.
Mike