Duncan and new lighting

[donut0079]

I have a Biocube 29 with mostly LPS and Zoas that has been running for about 16 months. Last night my Duncan coral which has been in the tank about a year began to close up. The flow has not changed in about 6 months. My water conditions have been stable for about a year. This mornings test had results of

Nitrates: Not Detectable
Ammonia: Not Detectable
Nitrite: Not Detectable
Calcium: 460
Alkalinity: 9
Ph: 8.2
SG: 1.026

Mag was not checked this morning but has been stable. Temp is 78.

The one change that has occurred is that I switched from PCs to a Rapid LED retrofit in the beginning of March. I started it at a max of 30%and after a month ramped it up an additional 5%. I am running using an Apex Jr. And have the lights ramping from 0-30% from 6:30 to 7:30 and then ramping from 30-35% until 1:00. They then ramp back down to 30% until 6:30 and begin back to 0.

This shows the placement of the Duncan and what it looks like this morning. Thanks in advance for the help and sorry for being a little long.


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[nereefpat]

Since the only change is the slight ramp up in lighting, I would blame that.

If it doesn't require great effort to move it into less light, try that. I keep my duncans pretty low under t5 lights, if that helps.

The hammer looks like it might be getting a little too much less light as well.

Maybe just turn back down the intensity

 

[cloak]

Has that hammer coral always looked like that? The color looks a little washed out IMO. Those LED's can be pretty strong sometimes, so I would definitely either move the Duncan coral down to the bottom somewhere or cut back on the intensity of the lights for now.

 

[Scorpius]

Your hammer coral looks a little pale from either too much light or too little nutrients. I'd lower your Duncan and get it in indirect light.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I agree with the others on all counts. Too much lighting and not enough nutrients. I'd either lower the corals or lower your light settings. Maybe stop running your skimmer for a while or over feed your fish and corals a bit so the nutrients rise up a bit.

That hammer appears to be very bleached.

 

[donut0079]

The hammer has always had that look when it really opens up. I have been keeping a pretty close eye on it because of the ramp up. I am going to try and do a water change in case it is just a little chemical warfare but if it doesn't respond I'll try ramping the lights back again. If no response there I'll move it down to another spot.


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[donut0079]

this is the hammer today under LED

and this is it in January.

It may be a little washed out when I looked at it. It is pretty light colored naturally though. I doubt it is nutrient related because it is currently growing and splitting one of the heads. I am prob going to knock the lights back just to be safe.


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[Scorpius]

My hammer is a dark green with very purple hammers.

 

[donut0079]

Yeah when this one isn't fully extended it is dark green but when it extends it is more of a yellow with green tips.


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[donut0079]

Just an update. The Duncan definitely looks better today. It has been steadily opening since I backed off the lights 5%. Thanks for the replies.

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