Torch Coral Tissue Recession

[chrisfont23]

I have a 90g LPS tank with the following:

Temp: 80.1
PH: 8.2
NO3: 20-40PPM
Salinity: 1.025/1.0255
Alkalinity: 8.7
Mag: 1360
Calcium: 470
MP10s
72 Ecoxotic Panorama Pro LEDs (abt. 50% capacity.

My question is as follows. I have had a Torch Coral now for about 1 1/2 years. Same spot. Never moved it. In the beginning it grew two new heads and has been consistently "healthy" until about February. I have noticed the fleshy part of the skeleton receding on the branches of the coral - I can tell b/c it leaves almost a shadow/dark look from where it's receding. One head is almost fully receded.

I haven't really done anything in the past 4 months that would aggravate it. The strange thing is that my Candy Cane Corals - directly below it - are suffering the same fate. I don't notice any coral warfare. I have separated the two for a month and no change.

Any ideas?

 

[crabbyreef]

I have the exact same issue. I'll be watching this thread as well.

 

[Met3112]

For starters your nitrate is too high.

 

[chrisfont23]

High nitrate should spur zooxanthellae IMO...not cause tissue recession.

 

[chrisfont23]

Thanks...

 

[Met3112]

I've found that low nitrates contribute to the health of the whole tank. You might want to get an accurate test done for phosphates as well. I see that you have a media reactor but what is your phosphate number? I prefer to use a photometer for phosphates.

You might want to look into strontium dosing, i've heard good things about it and your problem.

Also, how long have your LEDs been in use? I know that they are guaranteed to last for a while but that doesn't mean that they will. I've had corals slowly wither away to find that new bulbs over the tank did the trick. Maybe one module dosent have the intensity that it used to have or a power supply is going bad. Just a thought.

A full tank shot will help to diagnose the problem as well.

 

[Zalman]

Nitrates are a bit high but nothing too concerning. I might raise the alkalinity a bit - I tend to keep mine closer to 11.9-12.3

As for the lights, check if any have dimmed. I use ecoxotics and the power supplies are notoriously bad. I have replaced 12 power supplies in the 2 years my system has been running.

 

[chrisfont23]

Nitrates are a bit high but nothing too concerning. I might raise the alkalinity a bit - I tend to keep mine closer to 11.9-12.3

As for the lights, check if any have dimmed. I use ecoxotics and the power supplies are notoriously bad. I have replaced 12 power supplies in the 2 years my system has been running.

I actually use dimmers on mine. I have 6 Panorama Pros and it's simply an onslaught of light. I run them at about 50% the power or else I see things start to melt away (mushrooms, zoas etc.).

 

[chrisfont23]

Here's a better description w/ the picture. Is this growth and not recession?

 

[Zalman]

I know you are using dimmers, but they could still be losing intensity. The only other thing I can recommend would be to lower your nitrates to around 20 ppm. I noticed my torch receding as my nitrates crept up into the 40-60 ppm range

 

[Zalman]

The picture you just posted looks fine and healthy, the very first picture your torch didn't appear to be extending all the way.

 

[unkel j]

Do you feed them?

 

[chrisfont23]

Full tank shot