worried about frog...pix inside

[terranova]

Recently I switched from a 72 to a 120 reef tank. Early on I added a nice big branching frog into my tank, and it was doing GREAT.

Always expanded fully and had great color.

When I found out I was switching tanks, I slacked a little on the maint in my 72, and it just wasn't itself I guess. I figured that it would rebound when I moved to the 120. Well, each branch on him has about 3 heads, and 1 of the heads did die. The coral is still opening, just not fully expanded the way he used to. It's been about 3 weeks since the move now, I dont think it should be stress related. I've been monitoring my water carefully and the only problem I found was a small trace of nitrate. This picture was taken a couple of days ago. It's a LITTLE bit more open now.

The only thing I could think of that might be harming him a little is a nice sized leather toadstool semi near by. The tank has a lot of SPS frags and everybody else is doing fine, showing great polyp extension and growth.

Is there anything I can do other than wait it out and see if he keeps opening??

I'll take another picture when the lights turn on.

 

[sufunk]

I doubt trace nitrates are the problem. What was the difference in lighting on the tanks? Did you move him to more intense lighting in the 120?

 

[terranova]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7582284#post7582284 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sufunk
I doubt trace nitrates are the problem. What was the difference in lighting on the tanks? Did you move him to more intense lighting in the 120?

Nope.

The same exact fixture was moved right over, and he's the same distance from the MH in both tanks, give or take a few inches. Actually, he's basically in the same exact spot, just in a different tank. He's getting pretty strong light, I have dual 250 watt MH & dual 54 watt T5s.

 

[terranova]

I took this picture a couple minutes ago.

The tank is less than 2 hours into the photoperiod. I took the picture with the T5's on and the flash, MH haven't turned on yet.

You can see how he has colored up a little since the above picture was taken just a few days after the move.

 

[55semireef]

Yeah...maybe the move just stressed it out. Give it a couple of days and then take a picture of it. It seems like its getting a bit more color already which is a good sign.

 

[terranova]

It's been nearly 3 weeks since the move though, and i'm concerned b/c he looked "off" even before the move.

Could the toadstool have anything to do with it?

 

[55semireef]

How is the Toadstool looking? Can you post a picture of that?

 

[terranova]

Toadstool is fine...I found this shot.

 

[55semireef]

How close is it to the Frog?

 

[Sk8r]

Toadstools and lps/sps don't mix well. If the chemicals from the toadstool get to the frog, it might react adversely. Softies exude chemicals to stunt stoney growth.

 

[55semireef]

How come I have seen tanks with mixed corals before that looked great? I am curious.

 

[terranova]

I know it can cause problems...but they aren't touching or anything....

 

[John Kelly]

Too much light. The clean water in the new tank is probably a lot more "clean" than the water in your old tank; therefore it is more clear. I've zapped my LPS several times just from polishing the water.

I seriously doubt allelopathy has anything to do with it.

 

[duec22]

If you are worried it might be reacting to the TS, start running carbon. Although I don't think this is the problem. I would also say that the light might be hitting it more in the new tank. Does this tank have surface skimming and the old one didn't? I don't have a surface skimmer on my tank, but I skim the surface durring WC's...and for a day or two after that, all my LPS react to the extra light untill the surface develops some surface scum...

 

[terranova]

Hmm...the light could be the issue I guess. So what do you think I should do? Just move it down more?

 

[AJF]

Maybe the change of the light.. that's the only thing i can figure out, i have Sarcophytons with my frog in my Nano Reef and i don't have problems!
I think it's the change to a stronger light... it should recuperate!

 

[John Kelly]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7602890#post7602890 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by terranova
Hmm...the light could be the issue I guess. So what do you think I should do? Just move it down more?

Either that, or get some black fiberglass door screen mesh and tape a piece of it across the top of your tank; between your lights and the coral, to help your coral acclimate. Some people use eggcrate across the top of their tank too, to cut down the light a little bit.

 

[vinhpooh]

Had a similar experience with a new frogspawn that I purchased recently. It is probably just going thru a stressful period of transitioning to a newer tank. Mine took over a month to get back to normal expansion. Just make sure that there is sufficient indirect water movement; preferably alternating going thru it.

 

[terranova]

Well I just got back from a weeklong visit to Florida, I'll get an updated pic when the lights turn on.