Purple Kenya Tree Coral Problems

[simn22]

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink

My purple tree was doing very well, however I just noticed that it is slowly shrinking. Today, I just noted the back of the base was started to deteriorate. I turned it around and cleared the substrate. Im not sure if something damaged the base or if something else is wrong.

I know this coral is considered very hardy, but any suggestions?

Thanks

[reeferbill]

Welcome to Reefland simn22;Whenever you notice something wrong with your fish or corals their is usually something not quite right with the water chemistry.First thing is to check all water perameters,Salinity,ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,ph.alk alinity,phosphates.cal,mag.strontium.and iodine . Post your readings and we can figure out what to do.

[Jessie Nicoletti]

not sure if this is why but i think i see some red sime alagee near the base isnt that a sign phospates may be outa wack?

[leebca]

I moved this thread from the fish forum to the reef forum where they discuss and can help with invertebrate and coral prolems.

[simn22]

i will post up water parameters later on today.

Im not sure what my phosphates levels are, but that isnt red slime. I'll try to take a sharper picture later also.

it seems as if the base was damaged and is slightly detached, but the damaged area is holding onto the substrate. The coral tree isn't as full bodied or strong as it use to be.

It's health isnt declining but seems to have stabilized, opening to the same shape and size everyday. Im just hoping to speed up it's recovery, if possible

[simn22]

My water parameters currently:

Temperature- 79 degrees
Salinity- .026
Nitrite- 0
Ammonia- 0
pH- ~8.0
Ca- ~520
phosphate- ~.25

Those are the kits I have now am I missing anything crucial?

[simn22]

here are different pictures and different angles

[IMG]http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hakXfRA-4gg/TTeaFszNAHI/AAAAAAAACz4/_7Q2x5KWiDg/s640/kenya1.jpg[IMG]

[IMG]http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hakXfRA-4gg/TTeaF2NnmeI/AAAAAAAACz8/F2gXs9OZ9to/s512/kenya2.jpg[IMG]

[Jessie Nicoletti]

i think ure calcium is a bit high ( as its almost the same as mine and thats what ive been told). i believe proper ph is 8.2 with that calcium and ph level i wonder what your alkalinity is ? a bit low is my guess considering the calcium level . not sure if these have anything to do with it. also im asuming that you mistyped your salinty cause it should be 1.021-1.025 not .026 if its 1.026 it should not afect the tank that much but you should aim for 1.023 or so if your salinity is truely .026 then id say that can be your problem

[simn22]

oh oops, yes i meant 1.026, i try to keep it about 1.025.
I'll have to get another kit to test alkalinity.

My only assumption is that i think something damaged the base of the coral and I only noticed it after it started to heal. I'll just have keep an eye on it.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

For a reef tank, SG of 1.024-1.026 is ideal. SG in that range mimics natural sea water.

[Original Fin]

From your most recent pics, I'd say it looks fairly normal for a KTC. They do get moody. Sometimes they shrink up for a couple/ few days, and sometimes they might even slime over. Just give em some time.
Params you gave seem fine. Cal is a bit high, but it should come down on it's own as long as you aren't supplementing anything.
What you missed is Alk and nitrates, that would be good to know, but again, I don't see that you have cause to worry based on those pics.
1.026 is a fine SG to shoot for in a reef system. Thats what you'd find in nature. The more salts you keep in suspension, the longer it holds it's buffering ability, and the more calcium and trace elements are available. Fish only systems can do with a lower SG, but reefs actually consume some of the components, so better to keep it within NSW levels.


Sorry but I find it hard to follow what Jessie is talking about 1/2 the time.

[Jessie Nicoletti]

well acording to my lfs and a few books iver read calicum and alkalinity are in balance if calcium gets high your alkaliny lowers and vice versa also are you sure it wasnt shrivled up with a wax coat indicating its growing ? the second pics it looks like it just shed to grow salinity varies in diferent seas/oceans so yeah 1.026 is fine