This mushroom rock with four green mushrooms on it, is my first attempt at keeping coral.
Here is my set up:
55 gallon tank, Bare bottom
2 H.O.Bs, rated for up to 90 gal and 75 gal
1 canister filter, rated for up to 100 gal
1 phosphate reactor, rated for up to 150 gal
1 protein skimmer, rated up to 100 gal
1 wave machine controlling 2 of 3 pumps, rated at 425 gph each
1 48" four bulb T5 light
1 air pump
1 20 gal hospital tank, with only basic led lights.
The 55 gal tank is 9 months old. Weekly, I do 25% water changes and clean the canister filter. The reason I went with such heavy filtration is, my tank is not reef ready.
Nitrates : less than 2
Phosphates : less than 1
Calcium : 400
SG : 1.024
ph : 8.2
temp : steady 76-78
Stock : four 3" fish
Now to my problem, the mushroom coral will not fully open, anymore. It has been in the tank for 4 months, I'm assuming its a Actinodiscus, it is certainly not a Ricordea. It looked great, until a month ago. First the edges of the mushroom, specifically the ones that were not in direct light, started to loose color. They did NOT bleach though, they just turned very dull green almost brown. Shortly after, the coral would not open all the way during the day, in addition it stopped closing at night. Most recently, I think I may be able to see a hint of bleaching.
After researching how to rescue coral and what can cause their decline, I do have a theory. So, because I work long hours sometimes, the lights can stay on for 16 hours a day, or longer if I do not come home. I had never considered how this would affect the coral, but it seems that coral NEED a dark period. From what I understand , it is because photosynthesis has a second stage that occurs only at night. What I would like to know is, A. If my theory could be correct, and if not, what might be the source of the problem. and B. How should I fix it?. I heard a recommendation to place the coral in a spot where "it is not in direct light, but has sufficient light for photosynthesis". However, I do not know how much light it needs for photosynthesizing, so I actually have no idea what to do. ANY ADVICE about my set up or coral situation is welcomed and very appreciated :sfish:
Here is my set up:
55 gallon tank, Bare bottom
2 H.O.Bs, rated for up to 90 gal and 75 gal
1 canister filter, rated for up to 100 gal
1 phosphate reactor, rated for up to 150 gal
1 protein skimmer, rated up to 100 gal
1 wave machine controlling 2 of 3 pumps, rated at 425 gph each
1 48" four bulb T5 light
1 air pump
1 20 gal hospital tank, with only basic led lights.
The 55 gal tank is 9 months old. Weekly, I do 25% water changes and clean the canister filter. The reason I went with such heavy filtration is, my tank is not reef ready.
Nitrates : less than 2
Phosphates : less than 1
Calcium : 400
SG : 1.024
ph : 8.2
temp : steady 76-78
Stock : four 3" fish
Now to my problem, the mushroom coral will not fully open, anymore. It has been in the tank for 4 months, I'm assuming its a Actinodiscus, it is certainly not a Ricordea. It looked great, until a month ago. First the edges of the mushroom, specifically the ones that were not in direct light, started to loose color. They did NOT bleach though, they just turned very dull green almost brown. Shortly after, the coral would not open all the way during the day, in addition it stopped closing at night. Most recently, I think I may be able to see a hint of bleaching.
After researching how to rescue coral and what can cause their decline, I do have a theory. So, because I work long hours sometimes, the lights can stay on for 16 hours a day, or longer if I do not come home. I had never considered how this would affect the coral, but it seems that coral NEED a dark period. From what I understand , it is because photosynthesis has a second stage that occurs only at night. What I would like to know is, A. If my theory could be correct, and if not, what might be the source of the problem. and B. How should I fix it?. I heard a recommendation to place the coral in a spot where "it is not in direct light, but has sufficient light for photosynthesis". However, I do not know how much light it needs for photosynthesizing, so I actually have no idea what to do. ANY ADVICE about my set up or coral situation is welcomed and very appreciated :sfish: