What would cause a brain to lose tissue?

[bridun22ajl]

I have a brain that looks like it has lost some tissue in an area along the outside of the coral. 1 1/2 heads have died no tissue left. It is possible a favites but Im not sure. What could be causing this? it is mid tank under 250w halids in a 90g. with 3 korallia 4's and a mag 9 return.

ph 8.2 n03 - undetectable alk 9dKh cal 420

 

[bridun22ajl]

any ideas?

 

[roblack]

Any pics? How long have you had it and when did problems start?

Have you checked out this thread? http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1400291

 

[timnnell]

Maybe too much current on the coral? Blowing the tissue off of the coral.

 

[bridun22ajl]

how much flow is too much? i dont have a powerhead blowing directly at it but i do think i have a pretty decent amount of flow in the tank.

I have had the piece for several months but just noticed that 2 heads were dead on the back of it the day i posted this thread. since then i havent noticed anymore necrosis but i am monitoring it daily.

Any ideas other ideas? or do you guys think that 3 K4's and a mag nice might be the culprit?

 

[bridun22ajl]

also, when i dose my tank with the alk and cal, i wait 15min or so between each part but when i pour each part in, i just dump it(15mL each) in the overflow. I dont really pour it in slow. Could this mess with my ph or alk and burn the tissue? If i test at night or day the alk is always between 9-10(usually 10).

 

[scapes]

a picture would be beneficial please

 

[DetectiveTofu]

Too much flow could be an issue, though if that were the case, I doubt the brain would open up right now. It'd probably want to stay closed to prevent anymore tissue from being damaged from water flow.
Is it possible it was handled a little roughly upon introduction in the tank?
Make sure the brain is away from any other coral. Favia do have sweeper tentacles (can be long ones too), so that may be stinging the brain also. Check at night time with a flashlight.
When I use two part, I dump in the alkalinity, immediately followed by the calcium. I don't wait 15 minutes, nor do I think it is entirely necessary to do so. You won't have any issues with "burning" your corals with the two part unless you dose the two part right onto a coral with insufficient flow. You're dosing into the overflow, so shouldn't be an issue. If you were having pH problems, I'm sure you'd be able to see other problems in your tank, not just in the brain. What is your calcium and alkalinity at? HTH

 

[bridun22ajl]

photos

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2832719410102525674LjMloY

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2191635390102525674CxjDZR

not the best photos but u can kinda see the the 2 dead heads in the back of the coral.

 

[bridun22ajl]

guys?

 

[GoingPostal]

One of my favias is pretty touchy, it receded for quite a while after upgrading my lighting and again when my thermometer malfuntioned and the tank was sitting at 86 degrees for several weeks. Mine also stopped puffing up whenever something was off. Are there any corals within reach of it that would be aggressive?

 

[bridun22ajl]

is the coral in the pictures indeed a favia? I have never seen it show its tenticals but it does have several things that look like feather dusters that constantly open and close.

most of my levels are pretty stable. temp doesnt swing much at all.

Im thinking about doing a dip in revive. Although the coral hasnt lost anymore tissue since I have noticed the 2 dead heads.

I would still like to know what caused it though