Kenya tree not thriving

[JokersAce69]

So in a nutshell, i bought a nice 8" kenya tree 9 months ago. It stayed nice and full for a good month or two. Fast forward to july and it just shrunk up into about 1". Ever since then it just won't grow or extend whatsoever. I've tried moving it under shade, less flow, more flow and nothing. Basically i'm waiting for it to melt I can't give exact parameters and honestly i stopped checking months ago due to all my other coral and fish being nice and healthy. Mushrooms, goniopora, polyps, frogspawn, ricordea, xenia. I use R/O water. Weekly 25% water change. 48 watt (just upgraded bulbs to ati coral plus and blue plus). Is there anything i can do to bring it back? Temp is kept at 78, sg 1.025-1.026. Help?

 

[JokersAce69]

Then <a href="http://s1308.photobucket.com/user/Jokersace69/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsef2d0188.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1308.photobucket.com/albums/s614/Jokersace69/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsef2d0188.jpg" border="0" alt="Kenya tree then photo image_zpsef2d0188.jpg"/></a>

And this is it now. It's dark sorry! lights are out!

 

[trae]

Never thought i would hear someone say this about a Kenya tree. Its usually "who will take my ever growing Kenya for free"? Maybe try a fresh water dip if you think it can stand it. The one I had grew all over the tank directly in line of a Tunze 6000 series and under T5 tek lights. Maybe some one with recent success can chime in. What size tank?

 

[trae]

I can see it but it looks like something is eating it. Do you by chance have those little micro stars in your tank? They feast on these and soft polyp coral. Every time I mention this there are a slew of people here that swear that they do not. Thats when I have to post my personal pics and links to a site that supports my statements.

 

[JokersAce69]

It's a 20 gallon tank. I know right! I read all these posts, "how do i kill my kenya tree over population"? Hah.. But for me i want to learn all that i can on how i can actually fix a problem like this instead of just give up. For a fresh water dip that means r/o for say what... 10 mins? If so i have nothing to lose it's already looking like this.

 

[JokersAce69]

Oh boy.. honestly.. I've never seen any micro stars lol. I'll have to pull it close to the glass and use my jewelers loupe and see if there are any.

 

[trae]

http://blog.aquanerd.com/2011/02/picture-of-the-week-214-220.html
For your info and reference. I would use my own judgement on how long to dip. Maybe not 10 mins. Good luck!

 

[JokersAce69]

After just looking at it with a red light i see no stars, the flesh is also starting to detach from the rock it came on as well.

 

[JokersAce69]

Thanks for the link i'll read through it. Still feel free to add any other input. Thanks!

 

[trae]

Sometimes you can't save those softies. I had a rock full of pumping Zenia, they started receding little by little for no reason. I hope this one pulls through; but if not I am sure that a local reefer would be more than happy to give you a healthy specimen if not the whole colony

 

[JokersAce69]

Yeah i'll go ahead and give it a 20 second dip and see how it does. And certainly if anyone has some that they want to get rid of i'll take it! Haha..

 

[bull shark]

Looks more like a colt coral to me. At a 25% weekly water change rate, your water may be too "clean."
I am changing 5% weekly and my colts, kenya trees, and 3 types of xenia are becoming weeds, which can literally be measured in square feet. Also running skimmerless. After 9 months, I suspect a lack of nutrients. There may be enough nutrients for the xenia and other inhabitants, but not enough left for this one.

 

[jwoyshnar]

Looks more like a colt coral to me. At a 25% weekly water change rate, your water may be too "clean."
I am changing 5% weekly and my colts, kenya trees, and 3 types of xenia are becoming weeds, which can literally be measured in square feet. Also running skimmerless. After 9 months, I suspect a lack of nutrients. There may be enough nutrients for the xenia and other inhabitants, but not enough left for this one.

I was thinking colt coral myself

 

[Savoie83]

Mine is like that and I think my problem is 0 nitrate.

 

[JokersAce69]

It was sold as a kenya tree.. Hmm well then.. Since the dip it's come off the rock and floated around so i placed it in a rock crannie. I'll give it another week.... My nitratates are visible via my acute hair algae problem. Sigh...

 

[trae]

Was it slimy when you touched it? I did not know that Taro, Kenya, Colt were this identical. I probably never paid attention to the difference before. You may want to use google image and try to narrow down the proper Id before you proceed any further. most of these only require good light and flow. Some benefit from feeding as well.

 

[JokersAce69]

Yesterday when i moved it to the rock, yes it was slimy! And it stunk!

 

[JokersAce69]

Just an update the "kenya" didn't make a recovery it just stayed the same. I gave it to a friend who could see if he could try and nurse it back. Thanks for all the help though!