Duncan problem

[12BRAVO]

I have had this Duncan for about 6 months now. When I first got it, there were only single stalks on the heads. Over time new growth began around the existing heads and I was well pleased with the way things were going with it. I have an abundance of coraline growth in my tank. I noticed that it was creeping up the stalks of the Duncan and since then it has started to decline, often times staying closed for over 2 weeks and then opening, but never to its original size. Do any of you know if the coraline will have an effect on it ? Its almost as if it is choking it IMO. Also attached is a pic of a trachypllia I am trying to rescue and it to seems to be smothered by coraline. All other LPS in the tank are doing well.

SG-1.023 78 degree water temp
PH-8.1
ALK- Runs between 8-12 dkh
Nitrites are 0
Nitrates < 1.0 ppm
Ca runs around 400

75GL Reef
2 X 175 10,000 K MH
2 X 96 W PC 50/50
1 Aquaticlife 460nm 48"
Reef Octopus NWB 150 ( I'm on my second Sicce pump)
40 GL Breeder DIY Sump with Mag Drive 1800 with Hydor 1400gph in DT

I do 30 gallon water changes every week using Reef crystals Salt. I do not dose with anything. I do not have an RO system for water changes.

 

[sqwat]

i have never heard that b4 i think something else is up with them are you feeding the?did you just change lights?big water change.salinity is low.if i dont feed mine they dont grow at all it seems.try pumping the duncan and small little bites daily to the trachy

 

[12BRAVO]

I do feed them regularly, once a week. Bits of shrimp, clams, etc. The tentacles used to come out on the trachy. I have not seen them in several weeks. I have too totally shut the pumps off so the current doesn't move the food away from him and I watch his mouth come open and he eats the food. Even though the duncans tentacles are not fully extended, it still traps food and swallows it. Lighting has not changed. My water changes are the same volume every time. I stay up late when the lunar lights are on to see if I have anything eating on them and have seen nothing.

Just frustrating at times. This is my 3rd setup.

 

[sqwat]

im stumped.any fish crab or pest bothering.i see you are looking at night but maybe its one of youre fish watch youre tank from afar so youre fish think u left and then see if anything happens.

 

[12BRAVO]

The only fish that gets around it is one of my black and white percs. He doesn't nip at it or anything. tries to host in it. It never seemed to mind it at all when it was in its healthier state. I looked underneath the frag plate to see if something may have bored into it from there. No evidence of that either. Like I said before, it lived in that spot and was doing great till the coraline started growing up the stalks.

 

[sqwat]

That why he is hosting in it they hate that i bet he also is hosting in the brain.im confident that is youre problem i have seen duncans just wither away from clown fish rubbing it to death get him a anemone or get rid of him

 

[12BRAVO]

Thanks for the response, I haven't had the clowns very long. The corals were fading before I got them. Probably doesn't help that the clown is rubbing around on it now that you mention it..

 

[NewbyReefer]

If it really concerns you, just chip it off.

 

[sqwat]

one of the reasons i do not like clowns