Plate Coral dying?

martym · #1 09-29-2003, 02:34 AM

I think my plate coral is dying

There is a section of it that doesn't inflate and has turned white.
Calcium 460
Ph 8.0
Sg 1.0235
temp 80
ligths 2 daylight, 1 50/50,1 actinic all NO
Nitrate 5ppm
0 phosphate
Kh dipped down to 80
I add Stontium and iodine and reef complete.
I got it from Jeannette and Ian, it was thier first coral, so it is about 1 year old.
Any ideas, and is it possible to bring it back to former glory?

Quinn · #2 09-29-2003, 02:48 AM

I was under the impression that Heliofungia sp. require high levels of lighting, ie. VHO or MH. Perhaps this is the problem. I'm not sure what kind of light it was under previously.

EmilyB · #3 09-29-2003, 05:25 AM

They need lots of light and feeding. Are you feeding it directly?

Also, I have no idea what you mean by a kH of 80?

smokinreefer · #4 09-29-2003, 05:41 AM

any chance you can get a pic of it?
do you know what lighting it was under before?
perhaps some debris landed on that part of it, causing the tissue to discolor?

if it is just a small patch that looks bad, i would suggest increase the flow a bit. maybe try feed it a little, so it can get a little more energy to heal itself up.

i have my plate, about 24" below a 400W MH. no direct feedings.

martym · #5 09-30-2003, 12:40 AM

Kh of 80mg/L = 4.48dH according to Hagens test kit it should be 100-125 mg/L Which = about 5.6 - 7 for salt water
It was under MH lighting before. I guess I may need to buy better lighting.

martym · #6 09-30-2003, 01:20 AM

I do feed it and the tank. I will try raising it off the bottom, but thats where they like to be. Thanks for the suggestions.