Bubble Coral Help!!

[D_Rock]

Hello everyone!

I have had my tank running for about 8 months now. Things are going fairly well. I did run into many problems on the way that has only made me a better reef/fish keeper!

I bought a bubble coral from my LFS last month. It was thriving in the DT at the store. I placed him in the sand in my tank in a shady spot and to this day he has not fully expanded. His bubbles barely get big enough to be visible.

Throughout the day he will inflate and deflate multiple times but is never fully inflated.

I was told that they are fairly easy to care for but I am having zero luck!

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Parameter:
Salinity: 1.025
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10
Temp: 80

Equipment:
Protein Skimmer
UV Sterilizer
55 gallon tank
3 power heads
US orbit IC led lights ( I know they are not Ideal for coral already)

Live Stock:
5 chromis
1 clown
1 yellow watchman
1 setosa
1 clove polyp
1 BTA
1 Toadstool Leather

 

[RobZilla04]

Have you tried moving the placement? All parameters appear to be in the good ranges. The usual too much/not enough light and/or too much/not enough flow would be the start.

 

[nereefpat]

Looks like that light is only 36 or 46 watts of LED, depending on which fixture. That may not be enough light. How is the toadstool doing? They usually need light.

Do you test for alk and Ca? Something could be wrong with those important parameters.

 

[D_Rock]

I have moved it around a bit in the tank, perhaps too much. IT seems to always do the same thing. When I move it I try and keep it in a shady spot with low flow. Should I attempt to do the complete opposite? Move it to the top close to light with more flow?

 

[D_Rock]

The toad stool is actually doing fine. I did have my calcium checked last weekend and it was right where it needed to be. Not sure of the exact number. I know my Alkalinity was a little off but from what the LFS said it was nothing that should cause the bubble to not open up.

 

[ssky]

I have orbit marine leds and they sre kinda weak. Place the coral on the sand but in dirdct light. How deep is your tank. Mine is only 19 inches.

 

[sde1500]

The toad stool is actually doing fine. I did have my calcium checked last weekend and it was right where it needed to be. Not sure of the exact number. I know my Alkalinity was a little off but from what the LFS said it was nothing that should cause the bubble to not open up.

IMO one should both know the exact numbers for Alk, Calc and Mag and also test yourself. Your light isn't that strong, why do you tend to keep the coral in the shade? I'd find a good bright place for it.

 

[Tripod1404]

Imo bubble corals like high light, why did you place it in a shaded area. And they dont like flow. It wont inflate if there is too much flow.

 

[Uncle99]

Yup, no light no bubble.....they live light....kinda agressive so....
Not in the shade and a little space please

 

[D_Rock]

I appreciate the feed back and agree with you. I should know those. I am pretty new to reefing and initially started off expecting to do fish only but fell in love with Coral!

I am actually picking up a CA, ALK, and MAG kit this weekend. I did just change my salt to make sure they are getting the appropriate amounts of each.

I was told that the bubble likes the shade by LFS! Im really glad I asked everyone about this because it seems that is incorrect.

 

[D_Rock]

Thank you! I will move it to light in a low flow area tonight and see how it responds.

 

[D_Rock]

Yeah mine is only 19 inches. They are weaker but all the other pieces I have seem to be doing ok with them including my BTA.

 

[D_Rock]

Ok update everyone! I moved my bubble into a more lite area and bought a couple test kits. My Calcium is now at 420 and alkalinity is at 7.

To keep things stable I added Kalkwasser into my top off system for low dosing. After doing all this the bubble will inflate but, not all the way. It is the biggest I have seen in my tank. It will then deflate. It does this non stop through out the day.

Anyone have any ideas what that could mean?

 

[RobZilla04]

Ok update everyone! I moved my bubble into a more lite area and bought a couple test kits. My Calcium is now at 420 and alkalinity is at 7.

To keep things stable I added Kalkwasser into my top off system for low dosing. After doing all this the bubble will inflate but, not all the way. It is the biggest I have seen in my tank. It will then deflate. It does this non stop through out the day.

Anyone have any ideas what that could mean?

It could be recovering by consuming nutrients. Just keep the parameters within the ranges and stable.