unhappy corals?

[abozoki]

We have several corals in our tank now, 3 purchased about 3 weeks ago and 3 more purchased about 10 days ago. Several of them seem "unhappy;" specifically the green star polyp has been completely closed for 5-6 days, both our leather coral (Lobophytum sp.) and one of the other soft corals seem somewhat "shriveled and deflated" though they seem to inflate a little more during the day (though not to their former glory) . Our pink plate coral (Montipora sp.), the only hard (SPS) coral in the bunch, has a discolored patch in the center, with several bubbles of slime over the discoloration. On the other hand, the 2 other corals (Euphyllia sp. and Zoanthus sp.) seem to be doing just fine.

We have 2 175 Watt MHs (10000K and 13000K) on a 12 hour cycle. We added a 4 gal HOT refugium with 4.28 lbs of LR, 6 lb Kent marine biosediment, and chaetomorpha the day before the star polyps closed.

Our current water parameters are:
Nitrite 0
Ammonia 0
Nitrate 6
pH 8.2
SG 1.025
Calcium 380
KH 9
Temp ~78 F
We use a protein skimmer and have ~50 lbs of LR in a 46 gallon tank.
We have a persisting though relatively minor problem with microbubbles

Are we doing somethign wrong. How do we make our corals happy? Or should we just give it more time?

 

[Carpentersreef]

They're all still getting used to one another. (chemically speaking) They should be fine. (it's a lot to add in a short period of time)

BUT,

Make sure that you have good circulation, especially for that SPS, and put some carbon in the system to help absorb excess toxins, especially from the Lobo.

..also make sure that you have lots of room around the Euphyllia. They're good ones for sending out sweepers.

Watch so that the microbubbles aren't accumulating on/under any corals.

Mitch

 

[ChrisRD]

I agree with Mitch - I think he pretty much covered everything.

The only thing I find odd is that adding the refugium seemed to coincide with the problems. I wonder if there was something on the plastic or maybe in the Kent product that is causing the irritation...

 

[g.mcclean]

The only addition I could make is that the calcium should be around 420. Many of the corals require at least 400 ppm.