Sun coral issue

[Deep Reef]

Picked up a sun coral a few weeks ago and it hasn't opened and appears to be slowly dying. As it use to be all pink now parts are turning white. My parameters are:
Ph:8.0
Ammonia:0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate:20
Phosphate : 0.08
Cal: 480
Alk:8.9
Mag:1400
Salinity: 1.025
Ph:8.0
Temp:78

I know nitrates are high but is that what's killing it?

Thanks

 

[Masterofstuff]

isnt that phosphate high? Sun corals are tricky. aside from the constant feedings ive always avoided them because i see posts like this.

 

[rovster]

Are you feeding it?

 

[knukles55]

They tend to open up more at night when lights are out try to throw in piece of a frozen food and you'll see it open up

 

[Diesel3443]

Could always train it by feeding it in a bowl

 

[Deep Reef]

I've been feeding every other day. Trying to feed at night as I see some minor extension then

 

[Nate1984]

Never had one in an aquarium. I am a commercial diver and they grow like weeds offshore. Usually in darker or more shaded areas. I'm not sure but you may want to look into their lighting requirements.

 

[Masterofstuff]

just read in coral magazine they recommend feeding sun corals multiple times a day.

 

[Deep Reef]

Thanks for input. I have it in a shaded area, I can try more feedings. ....

 

[fishyfish91202]

Try target feeding it with the top cut off a plastic bottle, no cap on it, put it on top of the sun coral to hold the food in place over the coral. Shoot a little juice in first to see if you can get the tenacles to extend before placing the food inside the feeder.

 

[bjolly]

I used to have one I fed that way. It worked well and allowed it to eat without any other critters disturbing it. My little clown goby learned to swim into the feeding hat to share the meal.