Palys are dying

[jlmawp]

Hi all, new to the forum, so please forgive me if I sound dumb.

About 10 days ago, I noticed a few of my paly polyps dying. The are brown, and turn greenish-blue before dying. I have had them for almost 3 months now (hitchhikers on LR), so I know that this happens sometimes for whatever reason. Then I noticed more and more dying off each day. I now have 3-5 "healthy" polyps, down from a thriving 30-35.

After I got them (towards end of cycle), they had tripled in number and more than doubled in size. The were doing fantastically. This sudden die off is both a concern to me about my tank, and also a major bummer because they were the first legitimate inhabitants in my tank.

I also have 2 pods of zoas, both of which are doing great. I also have an anthelia, a torch, and a duncan...all are healthy and growing out steadily. My fish and inverts are also all in good health. Even the coralline is going nuts. The anthelia was acquired a few weeks ago. It casts a bit of a shadow on some of the paly polyps, but they still get plenty of light, so I don't think that's it. Also, as I said, I had them during cycle and they survived with flying colors. Thrived, even. My water quality is 20 times better now than it was then, so I don't think it's levels of any sort.

I have absolutely no idea what is going on, and I'm hoping someone can offer some advice or direction. I'm hoping at least a couple heads survive so they can bounce back. I liked them so much

9-gallon nano (Eheim)
Temp: 78F
pH: 8.2-8.3
Salinity: 1.25
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 5
Phosphate: .25
Calcium: 420

Occe Clown
6-Line Wrasse (I've never seen him so much as touch a coral)

I did a cleaning/WC 2 nights ago. I do weekly 15% water changes and blow off rocks/siphon sand with each change. Filter cleaned out weekly as well. Running activated carbon and am dosing B-Ionic, though very lightly to keep calcium up a bit from reef crystal standard.

Any ideas?

 

[moatdaddy]

any chance you have a alkalinity or magnesium test?

alkalinity in very important. mag can be in and out of ranges without massive issues. Alkalinity not so much.

 

[Azteky]

Having the same issue's. You will hear several things.

1. You need more flow so stop the algae from forming
2. Could be pests (Nudi's, zoa eating spiders, etc etc)
3. Fungus

1. More flow is always a good thing, you should never have any dead spots in your tank
2. Really need to keep a close eye on your corals, best is at night with the lights off, especially for Nudi's as they blend in very well, 6 line wrasse should take care of pests tho!
3. Dip your Paly's/zoa's! Stuff really works, everyone has different opinions on what to go with but it is a good idea, also make sure to dip anytime you receive a new coral.

My Phosphates are 1.27, so I'm dealing with that to see if its the issue, 95% of the tank is blowing up with growth so its really hard to pinpoint exactly what it is for me.

I AM NO EXPERT! But others here are extremely helpful so I'm sure someone will chime in soon =)

 

[Dkuhlmann]

THIS is your problem water quality is 20 times better now than it was then, so I don't think it's levels of any sort.

Since all of the other corals like cleaner water and the palys like higher nitrates and phosphates. You say they're both 0 but that is actually undectable with your test kits. If they were truly 0 all of your corals would be dying as well as SPS would too. All corals need nitrate and phosphates in order to grow and thrive, some like more than others as you're seeing with your palys.