Acan Melted

[AirForceAquariu]

So I recently got a nice Acan Frag for a good price and decided to give it a try. It had a few incidents of falling on it's face when first added as I was trying a few different locations for it. It's been a week now and it has more or less completely vanished and is skelatal with a few remnants. He was on the sand bed.

Tank info: 65g; 4 bulb t5 (98 watt) ; SG 1.025; ammonia-0; nitrite-0; nitrate 10-20; alk 9.1;

I think it is to late for this guy (still some orange in the deep skeleton) but I would like to try again with more confidence. I currently keep a happy and growing Frogspawn, 2 birdsnests; assorted zoa's.

 

[AirForceAquariu]

A bump today. I can provide more info if needed. Are they particularly sensitive to phosphates. Mine might be a little high: ~ .19.

 

[Reef Bass]

When keeping stony corals, alk, calcium and magnesium levels are very important. You might consider investigating your ca and mag.

 

[AirForceAquariu]

Oops, I should have specified more. I only test Ca and Mg once a month or slightly longer. I use ALK as my baseline since if there is something off with Ca or Mg, ALK will fluctuate (correct me if I am wrong... I am an engineer not a chemist).

My last test for Ca and Mg (3 weeks ago and 2 weeks before addition of the acan) read Ca 410 and Mg 1300. Those are pretty standard and my Alk that test was 9 flat so I assume that me Ca and Mg are similar to that reading.

 

[AirForceAquariu]

Anyone? Spitballs in the dark are welcome as well. I am lowering Phospates now and have changed some water since. let me know. Also is there any harm in leaving the skeleton in there for now?

 

[Tweaked]

The acan species can be an elusive one for many. All of that flesh and large mouth needs food and stable waters. Hard balance with over feeding and nutrients for sure. I lost many of my LPS due to my sps obsession and have since realized that the smaller mouthed LPS works great in my high light, high flow, low nutrient, BB system.

Specifically:
Gonipora
Acan echinata
chalice coral
favia
etc.

Not much help, I know, but some of these corals we keep can be a real pain to keep healthy. GL

 

[Reef Frog]

I have seen what you described regarding the tissue retracting deep into the skeleton on Acan Lord H varieties, from the same cause.

If it's just a few specs of tissue left, chances of a recovery are probably not good. But if a few "polyp cavities" on the skeleton are still covered with tissue, even retracted, you you may have a decent chance if all other factors are good. I would set it aside in an area of indirect light, give it some time and see what happens. Nothing to lose really. I had one come back from this exact cause, and is doing well and expanding to this day. GL.