What just happened to my plate coral??

[pleuralplexus]

Pardon my ignorance, but I haven't dipped a coral before. Some quick questions since I think I'll get some dip to keep handy;

-What's the best dip to use?
-Are there any systemic effects in the aquaruim's other inhabitants from any dip residue remaining on a coral after its been dipped?
-Are there any side effects with the dipped coral itself: excessive sliming, bleaching, that I should watch out for?

 

[cjk76]

I use coralRX. It has instructions. You could also do a fresh water dip for a couple minutes, but that isn't as effective. When you get water for the dip, get water to rinse also. No effects to other corals. The coral will be upset, but watch for tissue loss

 

[Michigan Mike]

I feed mine chopped up shrimp and invert food/phyto with amino acid supplements.
Overfed plate pic.

 

[coreenm]

You didn't throw it out yet did you? Plate corals can look like they are dead when they actually have gone into a reproductive state. Leave it in there for at least a few months to make sure.

 

[pleuralplexus]

Tanks for all the advice; I've still got it. The black spots are back, and it looks like crap during the day, but at night its all plump and tentacled similar to MichiganMike's plate so I guess its OK.

I'm switching to the B-ionic two part dosing system today after many many years of doing it the hard way (reef builder, magnesium, and Kent calcium) so maybe that'll help some too.

 

[pleuralplexus]

Update:

My ugly little plate coral is still alive and doing just fine, aside from being entirely bleached white. Tentacles fully extend at night and it stays plump during the day. I feed it brine shrimp, which I suppose is why it has survived its prolonged period of profound bleaching.

 

[GPB]

Let it acclimate to you tank and lights. It may take time. I have two. One I've had almost a year, the other one only a couple months. It looked rough for about a month. I love plates. They are almost always hungry. I feed mine mysis once a week.