Why is this coral dying?

[MikeP]

I've had this candycane frag for quite a while and over the last year it been growing nicely. Now for some reason it's dying. I doubt what's left will survive but I would like to know what went wrong. Any ideas?

Thanks

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q117/MikeP471612/Corals/IMG_3845.jpg

[Myka]

Give us more info...like parameters. :)

[Skimmerking]

Just for your infor my candy canes dont do good in my tank , however in Doug's (MODERATOR) tank my other ones are doing amazing in his. same as SPS all mine are doing really good in his tank ,but sucked in jmy tank... I'm hoping that that phosban will help my tank to do alot better.

[BMW Rider]

Is anything else nearby contacting it? The only time my candy cane has suffered like that is when another coral or an anemone is touching it. Some LPS can produce very long sweepers to attack as well, so it may not readily appear to be the culprit.

[Myka]

Another thought...it's a year old?? How big was it when you got it? Mine in 8 months went from 12 heads to 37 heads, and I just have T5 lighting and no fancy setup just a lil 33 gallon tank, and I rarely check parameters...lol. The lack of growth makes me wonder just how (un)well it may have actually been doing...?

[Snappy]

What is your Alk DKH? Frag off the dying part and just keep the LH side heads (in picture)that are still healthy. It also looks like it might be getting too much light? Is that possible?

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Have you adjusted your flow recently?

[Matt]

I had a candycane doing very well, then suddenly heads started to die... then I noticed a hermit on one of the dead/dying heads. Pop into the sump. Candy now stable again. Nasty little coral-munching crab!

Something to check, anyhow.

[MikeP]

Thanks for the reply's everyone. Parameters are all good, I've been battling low alk for a while but it's never below 7 dkh. There is nothing in the area that could sting it. I upgraded lights from 175w MH to 250w MH but that was about a month ago. Could it take that long to see adverse affects? All other corals are doing fine. It was doing very well and had grown from 4 heads to 15 and then over the last 48hrs this has happened.

[Snappy]

Likely not the alk as that is close to NSW. 175 to 250 is actually a big jump. I would move it to a location that is less bright with only med flow. Separate the healthy from the dying ASAP.

[Doo]

I picked some up this weekend and I didn't notice anyone mension (in this post) the amount of flow and light that is best for them??

I would love some feedback :)

Thank you!

[Jason McK]

Um... That really doesn't look like a candycane. Looks more like a branching bubble coral

I would also move it lower in the tank. Frag off the dead parts and try to target feed it.

J

[KrazyKuch]

Make sure to keep it to a moderatly low flow