Favia Problems

[georgiaredhead2]

Whats the best way to bring back this favia? Bleached out but stiil opens to feed at night. So it's not dead.I had him on some rock then read take him off So I did. I have seen him get worse them better now worst again. Never has got his color right. I have 4 t-5 overdriven 10 inches off the surface on a standard 75 Allglass tank. Too much light?

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[Justin74]

10 inches off the surface is way innefficient IMO. Should be around 3-5 inches off the surface. I would slowly lower an inch a week if at all possible.That aside, feed him at least a couple times a week if not more if you can when he's opened up at night, and he should eventually color up more. Also watch to make sure he injests the food and it doesnt get ripped off by a hermit or shrimp.

Good luck! It looks like you may have more than just your typical favia there....

-Justin

 

[georgiaredhead2]

More than a favia? Why? I can't lower my lights everybody seems to tell me to lower them but I seem to be burning alot of shrooms. I thought favia were low light low current corals. I just don't understand.

 

[Justin74]

I apologize I assumed and generalized. If your plans were to have a moderately lit tank then I spoke out of turn. But by all means feed him well, as it appears that he's lost alot of zooxanthella so if the photosynthesis aint happinen he'll be very dependant on other sources for nutrients untill they can repopulate. But making the light comfortable for the mushrooms may not be enough for some others. This may indeed be a tit for tat your facing, possibly place the piece up higher and see if it colors up a lil over a week or two?

Btw, I said more than a favia because it looks alot like a big micromussa or calaustrea just not your typical pineapple favia that I see in the stores, least round hear Basically, looks like you have somehting really special if it would color up more.Hope it gets better SoonKeep the thread updated, im curious to the results.

-Justin

 

[Justin74]

On another note when you get a chance could you take another shot and take the camera about 6-10" back, I notice I can see the background of your tank better than the favia
I make this mistake all the time Wanting to get closer than my camera will let me, heh.

-Justin

 

[Snprhed]

I agree with Justin in all accounts, I just wanted to comment that it does look like it could be something very sharp.

 

[georgiaredhead2]

New Pics. Fed him Brine Shrimp last night. Anything Better? This is Day Five since I recieved it. It has a couple of Feather dusters in the top. I was told to not put it on a rock so I have moved it to the substrate.

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[Justin74]

Good job, those pics are much better. Cant really tell if its doing better as we dont have a point of reference like yourself. But these pics will serve for just that. Thats great that he's still eating and frequent small bits like brineshrimp make it easier on the coral as well, as opposed to trying to suck down a silver side Although for nutritional value you may want to cycle out the brineshrimp as there isnt a whole lot of nutritional value to them, may I suggest mysis shrimp. They have a great nutritional value for your fish and critters. A little more than krill from what the experts tell me and in much more easier bites for everyone.

-Justin

 

[Confooseld]

I look forward to seeing it colored up. Good luck.

 

[CorallineDream]

To share my experiences with you.
I agree with Justin on changing from the brine shrimp. These will also benefit from some micro plankton. I feed mine a frozen supplement by Ocean Nutrition and have had great success. I think it's called "Invert Formula". It's mostly zooplankton and phytoplankton with some added vitamins. It comes in a tray of little green cubes and disolves to varying smaller sizes that he can ingest easily. The mysis would also be good.

I wouldn't get too worried just get. It's only day 5. He's still getting acclimated to your tank. I think it took mine about a week before he would even open to feed. I've had him about 4 months now and he's a glowing green with light brown coralite walls.

Was he bleached like that when you got him? Seems kinda hard to do in 5 days with fluorescents that high up. They need moderate light from everything I've read. I run dual 96watt power compacts about 3 inches from the surface and mine is about 12 inches from the water's surface. If anything, maybe not getting enough light.

Hope this helps and good luck getting him healthy.

 

[georgiaredhead2]

This favia came from another tank where the temp got high and bleached out totally. I got him and moved him in my reef tank and have had him in there for 6 days now. He started feeding on day three. Hopefully I can bring him back. I will try to find some of that invert stuff. Thanks.

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7682644#post7682644 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CorallineDream

Seems kinda hard to do in 5 days with fluorescents that high up. They need moderate light from everything I've read. I run dual 96watt power compacts about 3 inches from the surface and mine is about 12 inches from the water's surface. If anything, maybe not getting enough light.

Even with the 4xT5 that high, hes probably got 4 times the Par that you've got from your 2x96w PC fixture. I doubt its lack of light.

 

[georgiaredhead2]

Day 7 - Yeah, and I got 2x65 PC too. THey are directly over the back though. 2 inches above the water. The Favia gets the T-5's. I read on this site of I guy with a nice tank with his 12 inches above the surface. His were beautiful. Full of life.