Chili Coral

[gothicgirl]

Not feeding well, in dark place, but it's got this weird graying brownish stuff on it that I can't blow off like I blow off sand when a lot gets on my corals.

my coralline algae is disappearing...

my yellow fiji is brownish?

no NO3 or NO2 no NH3

what's going on?

I've been in this hobby for 2 years but I'm still learning, and this is just difficult right now!!

oh and water change every week...

but I don't have metal halides because I like LPS anyway and because you have to hang them from the ceiling and mine is high and slanted weird.

goodness, it doesn't matter how many water chemistry and biology books you read, you'll never ever know half of anything. *smacks head* Thank goodness I'm still a teenager I still have time to learn.

 

[Stetson]

How old are your bulbs? They usually need to be replaced every 10-12 months, even though the light looks the same to the human eye, the spectrums change and the corals will react negatively. Alot of times cyano will show up with old bulbs as well.

 

[gothicgirl]

they've all but one been replaced w/in a year.

the blue ones (which are the really important ones, right) I've replaced a bit ago.

The others I replaced today, (well, one of the two..I opened the box and one was broken! ugh and my warranty is up!!)

any idea what the crap on the chili could be?

 

[gothicgirl]

oh right, cyano= cyanobacteria?

those are microscopic not macroscopic right? so I wouldn't know if I attracted them.

 

[Salamander]

To respond to a few points in this thread:

To begin with, chili corals aren't known for living long in aquariums. They're non-photosynthetic and in most cases starve, linger and die.

Not sure what the grey algae is. Pics would help. Cyano bacteria, (aka slime algae) is usually a dark red, sometimes green, layer that covers things. Its usually easy to blow off with a turkey baster but if its there you need to address the root of the cause.

Posting your recent water parameters would be a good help for others to help you. Also do you use RO/DI water for changes and top off?

The blue bulbs (actinics) are more for your eye than the corals. Especially the 420 NM bulbs. 460's have have a bit more usable light but still not the best. You can get by with out them. People just more or less like that look better.

Halides don't need to be hung from the ceiling. Mine are but people's are not. Many install them in their hoods but there are also clip on models and some with legs that stand on the tank rim.

 

[gothicgirl]

thanks! yes I use RO water. I have a picture but my computer is being a pain and hiccupping and I'm having trouble putting it on. I've seen a little bit of red algae, but is that a problem, or is it only a problem if you have a lot? Just a patch towards the back, no bigger than three or four thumbs.

I knew the chili coral didn't have zooxanthellae but I thought that if you target fed it they would be okay. filter feeders don't do good in the long run?!