Pinapple tree help (Capnella)

[saltygeek]

This is a new frag that I've had for a few weeks. It would always stand up straight then lean etc but always stood back up. Now for the last week its stayed laying over. The polyps still come out during the day and it closes up at night but wont stop leaning and now I see this brown at the base. Anyone know what the brown is or what s going on with it? Its in a moderate flow, i was advised to try to increase the flow over it. what do you think? thanks

 

[saltygeek]

woops forgot pic and not sure if this is posted in the right place??

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[graveyardworm]

IME the brown around the base is algae, and is pretty common for soft corals of that type. Moderate flow should be adequate. It looks alittle bleached. What kind of lighting do you have? Could you provide a better description of your system, and water parameters?

 

[saltygeek]

Hi thanks,
It's a 24 gal nanocube with 72w power compacts. I should have pointed this out before but forgot, the picture makes it looked washed out, its actually like a neon blue green color. Water params are:
ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 0
pH 8.2
calcium 420ppm
alk 10 dkh

THere are two maxijet 900s for flow.

 

[graveyardworm]

It may be getting too much flow, you could try moving it to a spot with lower flow and see what happens.

 

[graveyardworm]

What I found reading in Bornemans Corals which you should invest in if you havent allready. They prefer strong flow and may be less dependant on zooxanthallae for food , and rely more heavily on heterotrophy (feeding disolved materials). It doesnt go into detail on feeding, but there are now plenty of foods available for feeding corals like DT's phyto, reef nutrition, DT's oyster eggs, etc...

 

[saltygeek]

I use DT's every other day and I don't have a protein skimmer so i would assume even with weekly 2 gal waterchanges there should be enough dissolved organics. I guess I need to find a spot that has strong flow, dont think I really have any unless its linear flow and I dont think thats too good either Thanks for taking the extra step to look up info.

 

[saltygeek]

If the polyps are still coming out is it safe to assume its not on the verge of death? But it definately shouldnt lean like this right?

 

[graveyardworm]

Dont know about the leaning, as long as its remaining inflated and polyps come out it sounds healthy. Various tank conditions could effect growth form.