Goniopora going through changes...

[aastretch64]

I bought a goniopora coral about three days ago. I acclimated him, used seachem reef dip, and I had been observing him in my LFS for about 2 weeks. He looked great. When I put him in my tank I turned the lights off. The next day, about 20 hours later after the lights went on he opened up and looked great.

Then he started to close at night. I wasn't too concerned since people had told me this is normal.

Now I come home with the lights on and most of the polyps are retracted except for about 3/4 and some of those look grayish. Even some of the tips are turning dark gray. I assume it is dying, but I don't know why. I feed roti-feast and phyto-feast everyother day (I do not spot feed), and I have strong lighting, and medium-high flow on him.

pH: 8.4
ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
nitrate: 5-7
Phosphate: 0
calcium: 420
alkalinity: 10

All the other coral look great, except for a recent bloom of red slime on the gravel. I do weekly 20% changeouts so I plan to get rid of the slime algae.

Help Please.....

 

[aastretch64]

Just realized, that the lights went on about 15 minutes before I got home, and the coral is slowly starting to open up, but I still have some gray polyps?

Alex

 

[elegance coral]

Is there any way you can post a picture? Are the affected polyps on the top or around the bottom? Even if your Goni is healthy it will change colors slightly as it adapts to your lighting. Check out goniopora.org.