brain corals

[saltycoconuts]

I have a 29 bio cube and I have not had any luck with brain corals I have had three different kinds but they keep dieing off. Is it because of the lights that come with the bio cube?

 

[jakearoe]

I would say yes. I have 2 of these cubes, one with MH but the other with the standard Oceanic bulbs.

I use the one with the standard bulbs for a softie tank, colts, nepthea, rics, etc. I've always felt that is my only option for that tank. But I could be wrong and am interested in other opinions.

 

[kingfisher62]

I have had a open brain for several years in a 14G biocube and since I upgraded to my
29g Biocube it does not look as good but another open brain coral I have is thriving.

I was actually considering putting two daylight bulbs in and see if that would help the older one.

 

[saltycoconuts]

Thanks I do think it is the light because all my perimeters are good, and I have other corals in there that are doing just fine. My avatar is my tank

 

[saltycoconuts]

This is the coral that is currently dying.

 

[kingfisher62]

Looking at the pic makes me think that it is not your lighting. Can you list your water parameters?

Temp, pH, alk, salinity?

 

[saltycoconuts]

Ph 8.0
Alk 1.7
Temp 78.7
Salinity ppt 32, specific gravity 1.024

 

[dancewithethan]

How old is your setup and do you have any fish like Angels that like to nip on LPS. Also, how is your flow? High, Mid, low- gentle?

Best

 

[Toddrtrex]

Ph 8.0
Alk 1.7
Temp 78.7
Salinity ppt 32, specific gravity 1.024

Your salinity should be at 35.

Is that Alk reading meq/L ? If so, it is low, should be closer to 3.5.
What is your Cal and Mag readings? They should be around 350-450 and 1300-1500, respectfully.

 

[saltycoconuts]

It's about 11 months old, it has the stock pump and I also put a koralia 425 gph on the right side about mid pointing downward. I would say about mid flow

 

[saltycoconuts]

The Alk is milli equaivalents per liter. It read normal 1.7 - 2.8
Cal was at 400
Testing with marine lab test kit

 

[Toddrtrex]

1.7 isn't normal, should be at least 3.

 

[saltycoconuts]

No Angels 2 clowns, a scissor goby, a half black wrase, and a sail fin tang

 

[saltycoconuts]

In the kit 3 is high Alk. I'm still in the learning process this is my first tank I went straight to salt water. I appreciate the advise from everyone.

 

[Toddrtrex]

I have always run my tanks at 3 to 3.5, been working very well for me.

 

[saltycoconuts]

I will up the Alk to see if that helps

 

[saltycoconuts]

The brain coral is about mid tank with low flow. Would moving it to the sand bed be a good thing to do?

 

[goochesfish]

Brain corals like lower flow and lower light. They also like to eat

 

[rovster]

I've got a hammer, candy cane, favia, chalice, and 2 SPS at the top that do well with the stock lighting. The chalice has more than doubled in size in the last 3-4 months. The SPS is not colorful, but it was not colorful when I got it a month ago, but it has good polyp extension and is showing growth. I keep my salinity at 35, or 1.026SG. I use LFS salt water and add reef crystals to bring up the salinity. I also have a bit more flow in there. I would start by increasing your SG slowly and make sure your parameters are in check. Adding another power head would not be a bad idea either. Good luck. I know its frustrating when things don't go our way. We feel somewhat responsible, actually, we usually are responsible. Hope that helps....

 

[saltycoconuts]

Ok I move the coral down to the sand bed ,and I was inspecting it and it has lost more tissue over night. I hope this makes a difference.