Plate coral no doing so good

[Alvin88m]

I have a plate coral that all of a sudden one day just started receding and hasn't been doing ever since the tissue is just peeling off of it and I even moved him next to my other plate that's doing awesome and nothing. What could the problem be? By the way all my parameter are in check

 

[Duke4130]

Any possible way it was stung by something? How do you feed? Anything within you system change at all before that started happening?

 

[Alvin88m]

The only thing that was near it was a cyphastrea and even then I don't think it was close enough to get stung. I target feed all my corals twice a week. And only thing I've added was a gfo reactor. I also went from a 4 bulb t5 to 6 but he was already receding before I added the new t5 fixture

 

[Duke4130]

Was it receding before the addition of the GFO reactor?

 

[Alvin88m]

No it wasn't.

 

[Alvin88m]

But the gfo reactor was running a good 2 months before it started receding

 

[Duke4130]

Personally I have used GFO and I think it is a little harsh. I try to stay away from using by using media that is easier on the corals. How often do you change the GFO?

 

[Alvin88m]

I change it every 6 weeks. What else could I use?

 

[xanthurum]

If you ran gfo for 2 months but change it every 6 weeks that would mean fresh gfo just prior to the downfall right? Drastic changes and corals dont mix well especially sensitive lps like plates.

Sounds like recently changes gfo mixed with a new stronger light could be the perfect storm. Phosphates are good for corals to an extent so 0 is a bad thing.

 

[Alvin88m]

Well I know .44 isn't good for corals that's why I started running it in the first place and I have a bunch of hair algae that I'm trying to get under control

 

[xanthurum]

.44 is nothing, I try to keep mine at or above .5 and keep mainly sps. Phosphate is critical for photosynthesis and skeleton growth. I have seen great tanks that cant get their levels below 2!

 

[slgcmg]

Like goniaporas I've given up on trying to keep plate corals. I just have had no luck wth them!

 

[MellowReefer]

Same here. My LT plate used to be the best looking coral in the tank for over a year, now it looks like it's dying since I've used GFO the last few months to try to beat turf algae.

 

[Nina51]

where do you have it? it should be on the sand bed. putting a plate on a rock can cause damage to the underside.

 

[Alvin88m]

where do you have it? it should be on the sand bed. putting a plate on a rock can cause damage to the underside.

It's on the sand right next to my other plate that's doing fantastic