is my birdsbest dead?!

[muhli]

its a frag but it was healthy when i got it for a couple of weeks. lately i dont see any of its polyps out now. it still remains its purplish color so it didnt bleach yet. im just mainly concerned about the polyps not opening. could it be RTN or STN that i've been reading about? what is STN or RTN even? is there anyway i can cure my birdsnest? its my favorite coral in my tank... =[

 

[allsps40]

STN OR RTN is the loss of tissue S for slow and R for rapid Tissue Narcosis. If there is still color to the birds nest that is good, sound like you have no PE. Give us more info on your set up, lighting, flow and water quality and parameters.

 

[muhli]

10 gallon tank. frag located near the bottom. its near the middle of the tank from the bottom. 48 watts are run 10hrs a day. sometimes i go 96w. 0 ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrate. ph at 8.1~8.2. 300gph from hob ac70. 425gph from koralia nano. so thats plenty of flow. 2 damsels and 1 goby never seen them pick at it. frogspawn coral is located near the birdsnest, but when fully extended, never reaches it

 

[jcmelski]

What are your other water parameters? Cal,mag,alk?

 

[muhli]

i havent really got testkits for those but i plan to. my other corals seem fine (zoas, gsp, cloves, button polyps and frogspawn but not sure whats happening with the birdsnest though...

 

[muhli]

bump for help please

 

[jcmelski]

Your ph seems low. you're probably low on alk, cal and mag. do you have a po4(phosphate) test kit? what is the temp of the tank? how about SG?

 

[Ratkiller]

I've noticed my pink/purple birds nest loves alot of light. My tri-color birds nest dose not.

 

[Gilby]

You really need to get test kits and measure your CAL,Alk and Mag. Birdsnest is going to require more care than soft and LPS corals. Light is also a big component as well as flow. PC lights may not be enough for birdsnest. Your Cal needs to be around 420-450 Alk 7-9 mag 1250-1350

 

[Reef Bass]

+1 for test kits for at least the big three (alk, ca, mag). IME, Birdsnests are the first to go when parameters get out of whack.

 

[muhli]

is there any chances of saving my birdsnest since its not turning white?
or do i have the chuck the whole frag away? =[

 

[tmgrash]

Your ph seems low. you're probably low on alk, cal and mag. do you have a po4(phosphate) test kit? what is the temp of the tank? how about SG?

8.1-8.2 isnt low for pH.

Definately dont chunk it. Sounds like it will be ok, give it time and good parameters. Keep temp, salinity, lighting, the big three stable, nutirents low, and itll be alright.

Definately get test for the big three ALK, CAL, MAG

 

[muhli]

ill get testkits for it asap then.
when its low, how do i fix it?
what do i dose it with?

 

[Gilby]

For now get you some two part solution, B-Ionic or Bulk reef supply Two part with magnesium. Follow the directions or there are some good reef calculators on the bulk reef supply website that will help you. You have to put your current Alk,cal and mag levels in the calculator and your desired alk,cal and mag levels and it will tell you the proper amount to dose to get to your desired level.

 

[jcmelski]

What type of salt are you using? Try doing a PWC for now until you can get the two part and mag supplements.

 

[muhli]

im using instant ocean. PWC helps with alk cal and mag? its RO water not rodi...

 

[jcmelski]

If your low on those three things it will help bring it up a little with a PWC.

 

[Gilby]

PWC helps with alk cal and mag?

Yes, partial water changes help replenish the depleted alk,cal and mag. But not if your wanting to significantly raise it, you'll need to actually dose for that.

 

[muhli]

i do 10-20% water changes every week with fresh RO water.
i think ill try dosing it now

 

[Ratkiller]

It has been suggested to dilute any chemical with RO/DI water when introducing to such a small tank. I recommend doing a search in the nano section.