#pearlberryproblems

[zibba]

This coral is sad. It makes me sad that it's sad. It's surrounded by pretty corals that made it through "The Reaping" (yes, that's a Hunger Games reference) in July and feels left out. Psycho-analyze it please:


DSC_6193.jpg by ..:.. EZ ..:.., on Flickr


In all seriousness, this coral is one of the last ones to recover from an "event" I had back in July. I can't put my finger on it exactly, but I'm fairly positive it's the product of an alk spike from instructing my neighbor to manually dose two-part while I was away (way easier to use the neighbor as the scapegoat). Three months later, nearly every other coral has recovered (stalk my flickr account if you don't believe me) but this one is still code-brown. Clearly burnt tips and a receding base. I've clipped those tips a few times and will likely get in there to clip again.

Is this just alk or could it be something else? I can provide some zoomed in shots of the coral if that would help, but I looked and didn't see any pests.

My main question, how long does it typically take for corals to rebound? This one is so sensitive. Is it time to remount the coral in a different spot?

While it doesn't really help solve things, here's an actinic picture to show that I didn't get the coral like this and what it looked like before.

Can provide parameters but, I promise, they're fine.

 

[Moser]

Looks like it just needs time.
If it's getting blasted with light, I would lower it until the tips heal up and then slowly raise it up again.

Sometimes corals just take sooooo long to recover properly.

Mo

 

[sahin]

There isnt much you can do if all the variables/parameters have been fixed. Like Moser says, it needs time.

The tissue is very thin, and its really hard bringing corals back from that point. I've done it before, but not all make it.

If you have a separate tank, I would be tempted to move it...or pass it to a buddy's tank for a while. Thats not to say that there is anything wrong with your tank, but its a method thats worked for me before.

Example, a serious alk issue in my LFS tank; most corals are fine...but a strawberry shortcake colony just looked in similar condition to your coral and it eventually parts start to die. The rest of the corals make a recovery. So I asked my LFS guy to break a frag and give to me for cheap.

I still have the same frag in my tank 4 months later; in a low light area. Its very pale and hasnt shown any polyps. In the first few days it STN'd around the base, but then stopped and has grown the base back and even grown onto the rockwork.

Or you can just leave it where it is and see if it starts to make a comeback. If it gets worse, I would probably do something.

One product that I've wanted to test for these cases is KZ Flatworm Exit. Its been reported that this product helps recovery of corals and helps to thicken the tissue..or at least give it a fuller look...but due to cost and that my SSC frag is still alive, I havent bought it.

Keep us updated. Be interesting to see what happens in a week or two.

 

[YoungREEFA]

Also I might add, that there is a noticeable brown algae on it which could be thriving to excess nutrients. just a thought

 

[dvanacker]

#goodluckwitthat

 

[Dog boy Dave]

Like the previous posters say time time time, sometimes years to recover. Instead of looking for the coral to look "good "again, look for trends. Is the coral better or worse than it as last week. If you cant tell...then its probably not quite right or still in a decline. If your perimeters are right and this coral isn't getting worse then you are probably Ok. Also as Moser stated sometimes it does help to drop them down a bit sometimes if they are getting blasted with light before the stress.

 

[trueblackpercula]

it sure needs some love but she can be saved, i would place it lower in the tank as other already stated and give it slow to medium flow. I looks like she went through an ALK swing and that will do it every time.

 

[zibba]

#greatadvice #spskeepersftw

I'll clip the tips and find a different place for it to get some R&R. I've heard good things about the KZ flatworm stop so even if it's not AEFW, I may give it a try if things don't look better (even slightly) after another month or so. I'll pin this thread to update as time goes on.

Cheers!
Z