open red brain...HELP HELP!!!!!

[braddufrene]

This is the second time I've tried to put one of these in the tank, and within an hour of being in there the coral shrinks up so tight it shows the ridges of its skeleton. The first one that did this stayed like this for about 2 weeks then just died off. I put one in the tank tonight and it did the same thing. I know its in shock from the transfer but just scared I wasted another $80. I've put green brains in there and within and hour they are starting to open up. I don't get it. I have a bunch of other corals doing fantastic. Am I missing something? Do they need something special that I don't know about? Any advice and time reading this is GREATLY appreciated. Please help!!

 

[ThatAquariumKid]

I have great success with both of my red brains. But one is totally different than the other. the first one i purchased wanted a ton of light but the second wanted shade. So over the next few days try and move it to low light then high. of nothing changes i would say flow. that don't like too much but they don't like too little. they are the most fidgety of all of my brains, scolys, and wells.

 

[braddufrene]

Yeah i started thinking the same thing about the light. the LFS i deal with has the same lights i have which are VHOs BUT the tank that it was in has 2 bulbs whereas my tank has 4 bulbs on a 75g. Im going to try and move it to a spot that has a little less light and just hope that works...........its almost acting like i would think a coral would act throwing it in acid or just something that it absolutely can not stand. Anyway thanks man.

 

[Magician8642]

Brains are very tricky like that. I know i have moved mine to a spot i thought was identical in amount of light and flow, but apparently not. Because the 3rd place i moved it, it opened wide up within 2days and has been great ever since (when originally i thought i was going to lose it). Good luck!

 

[braddufrene]

Ok. how long should i give it before moving it to a new spot? I dont want to leave it in one spot too long and it start dying but i also dont want to move it around too frequently.

 

[capt85]

What kind of flow is it in?

 

[braddufrene]

umm I'd say medium I guess.... not real strong but def has flow across it. I moved it last might to a spot a little under a rock where its getting light not just direct light so it is getting tge for going through the rocks.... seems pp ate putting a real emphesis on flow or lights.....i know if the coral isn't happy it'll stay closed but it just seems like it's cloaed up so tight that something else is wrong. im sorry I dontean to question anyone's knowledge, I'm just really frustrated because they are my favorite coral hands down and I can't keep them. not to mention I don't want to lose the $ in it. any other info needed just let me know. again I really appreciate everyones time and thoughts.

 

[seapug]

Red brains tend to come from more turbid locations. They generally prefer more shade and lower flow than the green ones.

 

[waz1234]

Mmm interesting i have the same problem with my green brain when i first added to my tank it seems to do fine but after a few days he dont want to open like before i have it in strong lighting and medium flow any advice for me?

 

[sqwat]

allways start by putting brains on a sandbed shaded this is a must they are the easiest of all to light shock and are hard to bring back shade it or turn three of the bulbs of in youre unit anbd evry three days turn another on youre coral in youre tank should be fine.i have blead brain corals just changing bulbs.two much money to lose once shocked though it is tough to bring them back.

 

[Justin74]

^^Good advice sqwat;
braddufrene: You said yourself the difference right off the get is that it came from a tank with half the lighting, being sensitive as you've witnessed it yourself it would be in your best interest to gradually introduce it to more light, if that is what you desire, but for now I'd keep it on the bottom in any far corner. This is where the lowest levels of light are and will be your best bet in light acclimation.

Shortening light cycles, turning bulbs off, etc. is still hard on a coral! It seems logical if you dont think about..But if you give it some serious thought it is NOT!! I refer you to Anthony Calfo's Book of Coral Propigation regarding light acclimation if you'd like to read further on that particular subject. The best form of light acclimation is through screening, not always the easiest, but the best method.

You pound any coral with more light than it's use to or, beyond it's saturation point and your going to see that coral retract, shrink, close, etc.

Also make sure your not giving it more wammies than one, alk being a primary contributor to Pi$$ed off corals. You keeping your tank at 8 seems good right? Corals seem happy yadada, but what if the LFS's alk is at 10 or 11? You'd see exactly what your seeing now, let alone compiled with more intense light would be a perfect storm to kill a sensitive trachy :twitch:

Back to the lighting, always better to error on the side of not enough light. Much easier to color up a faded or drab coral, than a bleached transluscent white one! Good luck! Hope to see a picture of a healthy red open brain in a month or two :thumbsup:

-Justin

 

[ldallen95219]

I have an open green brain in my tank and is doing great. I have a 75 tank with 6 T5 lighting. I did read that open brains DO NOT like having sand on them as eventually the sand will deteriorate it. Therefore, you need to be careful about getting sand into it when you clean, etc. I have mine up on a plastic stand off the sand under direct lighting, semi-low flow and it is doing great.

I don't know if you have heard of Eric H. Borneman but he is the author of Aquarium Corals, Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History. Fantastic book and he says "Water flow around open brain coral should be moderate to help assist the coral in washing away debris that accumulates in its deep valleys and that may tend to cause localized tissue necrosis. . . . Furthermore, these corals seem prone to a rapid disintegration of tissue (suggestive of rapid tissue necrosis seen in small-polyped corals), usually soon after acquisition. It is probable that these corals do not tolerate stress well, and the combination of collection, shipping, handling, and changes in water chemistry are likely responsible for their oft-reported early demise. They are also quite susceptible to the chemicls released by certain soft corals - most frequently reported are encounters with Sinularia species.