Short tentacle plate coral question

[cambo123]

I have a relatively new (less than 2 weeks) neon green short tentacle plate coral in my 20L. There is really only one area he will fit in the tank without rearranging the rocks. It is in the center on the sand bed and about 3/4 of the disk is shaded by my frogspawn. Here is the thing, in the area being shaded the color seems more vibrant and the little tentacles are more noticeable. The area being hit by the light seems more retracted. It doesn't look bad just different (less vibrant, less expansion). I have room to move it more into the light or a little more into the shade. The light right now is a reef breeders value LED. I have kept the light on very low setting in fear of damaging the coral (less than 20% on both channels). I usually have the light around 35%. I have read everywhere that these things like moderate flow and moderate to high lighting. I feel that I have plenty of light, it just looks like it is slightly unhappy in the directly lit area. Any thoughts?

Thanks
Cameron

 

[Mr. Wiggles]

I have always found mine do better in moderate to low flow and moderate/low light. I have had both of mine towards the edges of the tank, but I ran a 150 MH over a 20L. Hope that helps!

 

[cambo123]

Thanks for the response, after taking a closer look again today I decided to move him to the right front corner. Some other corals were starting to really stretch upward from what I can only assume was the low light setting. I had to gently push one of the rocks an additional half inch out of the way. Within 20 minutes he seems to be responding much better. Flow is about the same but the lighting is more indirect.

 

[cambo123]

Just a quick update, coral is doing significantly better in the corner of the tank. Much better color and the entire thing is more uniformly inflated.

 

[victor escobar]

only one detail. when plates do not like the placement in the tank they are able to move. it can be a sign for you

 

[greg1786]

Mine prefers the lowest lit area of my tank as well. Actually the front right corner. He never has done well in anything more than low flow low light. No matter where I put him when I first got him he always walked to that spot so after a while i let him be and he has more than doubled in size

 

[cambo123]

One more update, it seems to have taken a turn toward sickly/dying again. It is weird because all other corals look super nice. I am not sure if I should try more/less light on the LED fixture, maybe even raising it higher (although I would think it is high enough already at 8" above). I have tried moving it around. It seems every time I move it, i get 1-2 days of strong inflation followed by a general decline. So annoying. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[cambo123]

I also have this desire to try more locations but am wondering if I should just leave it at its current spot. I have read that these corals are fairly difficult to completely kill so I am hoping for the best. I have also attempted to feed it more in hopes of an accelerated recovery