Christmas Tree Worm Rock - coraline problems

[Brent Thomann]

I recently got a deal I couldn't resist on a Christmas Tree Worm Rock from my LFS.

It has approx 20 X-Mass Worms all different colors, AWESOME looking! The rock has a very nice coat of Brown Coralline, believe thats what it would be called?

here's a pic I found that looks similar with the brown Coraline.-
http://www.beyondthereef.org/images/corals/xmas_worm_rock.jpg

My problem is after about 1 1/2 weeks in my tank part of the brown Coraline is turning red. Looks like its dieing and if something isn't done soon the whole rock is going to be red.

Nitrates/Ammonia all 0, PH 8.4, Calcium has been steady at just over 500.

Here's a pic of my tank (I have the worm rock sitting in the middle, on the sandbed)-
http://partydamage.com/fishtank/11.jpg


Any Suggestions.

 

[wetWolger]

these corals tend to die in aquariums.....i imagine it is dieing

if it is not dieing I imagine some other algae is growing on top of it, if this is the case I would not worry about it.

 

[simonf]

Hi,
You may want to try this question in the coral or sps forums. The rock should be covered in a sps coral called 'Porites'. From the sound of it its either coloring up or maybe dying? Not sure I don't actually own any sps corals. But do a search on 'Porites care' and you should find plenty of info.

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

Also, to sustain the Christmas Tree Worms, you don't necessarily have to keep the porites alives. FWIW, Christmas Tree Worms don't fare well in captivity. They usually die in about a 8 months to a year. Supplemental feeding with phytoplankton is definitely worth the time.

 

[castorpollux]

the coral that they are in is porites, it should be pretty hearty. it could be adapting to the lighting in your tank or maybe check your parameters (calcium, alk, mag, etc.)

 

[johnmsct8astro]

I have chistmas tree worms in our aquarium. I have n,t had any die and there multiplying . It may be you lighting and placemenct in tank. Our christmas tree worms have been multiplying for about 4 months. How long has your tank been up. We have had good success i have a 55 gallon reef aquarium. We use blue acticnic light for them and ohre types of coral. thnax john

 

[johnnydoe]

where did you get the xmas tree rock , no body around where i live can get it . ive been looking for a while now ????

 

[Oldude]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6850018#post6850018 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Travis L. Stevens
Also, to sustain the Christmas Tree Worms, you don't necessarily have to keep the porites alives. FWIW, Christmas Tree Worms don't fare well in captivity. They usually die in about a 8 months to a year. Supplemental feeding with phytoplankton is definitely worth the time.

I have porites with christmas tree worms, both the small and the large royal variety. I have 3 different rocks of them, one coral died but worms are ok, one the coral is receeding slowly and on the receeding edge or as the coral dies off it gets a flouresant pink line(quite cool) but worms are ok, and one is doing really well and very healthy and the porites is spreading on to the glass. I have no idea what makes them tick. They all seem to have approximately the same kind of flow and lighting and my tank gets supplemental phytoplankton feedings on a regular basis. Mine range from 12 - 15 months old. Good luck.

 

[Zoos]

We use blue acticnic light for them and ohre types of coral. thnax john

by itself? i hope not

 

[Humuhumunuku]

a few months ago my tank compleatly crashed due to the accidental addition of what we belive was methylene blue (i think, no idea on spelling). Suffered major hurt. I was literally watching my mushrooms and pollps melt within minutes. Adventually every single thing in my aquarium died, the snails, fish corals, everything, accept the christmass tree worms. Although i had other worms that died, the christmass trees are still fine months later, despite the fact that thier coral is long dead

 

[Humuhumunuku]

just checked out the acctuall date, and based on the omg help me posts i made here, the tank crash was in late september, so over 5 months later, and chrismass tree worms are doing fine

 

[memito]

Humuhumunuku,

If you don't mind me asking, how did methylene blue get into your tank? (BTW, I really have no clue what it is, even after doing a google search...)

Thanks!

 

[sttroyiii]

I know Methylene blue is used in biology lab experiments to stain cells for microscope clarity. I dont know what else it is used for, or if its dangerous though...

 

[kappaknight]

Don't mean to hijack this thread but can you keep porites and christmas tree worms in a tank with pigmy angels?

 

[hairymushroom]

The angel might nip at the coral , or it might not, pygmies are really a hit or miss situation when it comes to corals , clams etc.

 

[boxfishpooalot]

My tanks x-mas worms are multiplying in my fish only. Tanks specs are: :lol:

nitrates-100+ppm
phosphates-3ppm
alk-2.5meq/l to 3meq/l
calcium 480ppm
SG-1.026 stable
Magnesium 1300ppm


I have a lot of large tangs and fish in there. The worms probably get a lot of food from their feces. Also, the water is always colored slight green from the side of the tank(phytoplankton)

I also have no problems keeping the normal feather duster worms in my tank. They are a pest to my tank, growing in the sump. If i make a sand storm where the water is foggy from sand they will have a white tube. If I dont make a sand storm their tube is brown. Kinda neat as they make their tubes from uneaditble stuff.

Anyways, I think those x-mas worms like dirty tanks, as mine is very dirty. Wich im not proud of, but thats what I get for having too many fish. Soon I will have a bb tank with just sps and some chromis.