[mothergoose]

Had a healthy bubble coral 10-07



now it does not want to bubble any more 11-20





Im hoping it is not too late to save it. My peramiters read this with an API test kit:
KH 8
Calcium 440
Ammonia 0
Nitite 0
Nitrate 0
Phosphate 0
PH 7.8
Salinity 1.020 with refractometer
temp is steady at 77

54 gallon corner with 24 inch Coralife 10,000 k 65watt, actinic 65watts with moon lights
I have crushed coral, undergravel filter with protein skimmer attached and an 802 powerhead running in reverse. A separate 802 power head with a quick filter attached.
I do realize that most do not run with this filtratin set up but it is what I have to work with right now. I have a QT tank but am afraid to put coral in it just yet the calcium it only 220.
Any ideas on how to help the bubbles come back?

[emccullough1]

I don't have one my LFS said I should hold off till my tank is a year old. but I have researched it and you water parameters are off from the recommended.
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.023-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4; dKH 8-12
I use this site as a reference.
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...cfm?pCatId=449

[mothergoose]

PH and SG a little low but the others are within range. I can get the SG up pretty easily but how do you raise PH?
Only thing I have found in print to help a bubble in trouble is a vitamin "C" treatment but have yet to review the full article. Any other sugestions?

[emccullough1]

They sell additives to increase ph but I would do it with water changes if it where me.

[mothergoose]

Thanks I have increased my water changes from two times a week to weekly. Hope this helps

[emccullough1]

I would think that will help as you increase you salinity the PH will go up also. I seen a bubble coral go south like that at my LFS and come back a few weeks later I hope you are as lucky. Unfortunately I did not ask what he did. I'm hoping some of the people that have had them for a long time can give you some help. I really like the way they look and want one just as soon as my tank matures. I did add a trumpet coral a couple weeks back that is doing well. So I take it that my tank is coming along and some more LPS my be in my tank before long. But space in my little tank is becoming a issue.

[emccullough1]

By the way where in Indiana do you live. I was born in Gerrsburg and have live in Semore, Columbus, Kokomo, Sharpsvill and Oakford. We moved here 4 years ago after I got to where I could not take cair of our big house.

[Rainman69]

how long has it been like that. mine has done this on several occasions and came back in 3 to 5 days.

[mothergoose]

Edward,
I grew up in Kokomo, still have family there. I am now about 30 min south of indy about half hour north of Columbus. My dad lived in Bradenton for a while seems to rain there every evening. I would like to be Florida right now we are going to have snow on Thursday. Enjoy the sun. I hope this bubble coral lives I really like it.

[mothergoose]

Ray,
Did you do anything to help the coral or did it just come out of it on its own. It has been slowly shrinking over the past two weeks. Not sure what to do for it. thanks for the note of encouragement I hope I am as lucky as you were.

[Rainman69]

do you feed it could be hungry.

[emccullough1]

You are not suppose to use 4 letter words like Sn%w on a public form. That has to be the worst of the 4 letter words. But I sure don't miss the white stuff. I graduated from Taylor high school. And a lot of family there also. I was one of the Indian heights brats in the 60's and early 70's . It seams to rain every night in the sumer but the winter and spring is the dry season. It has been has been beautiful weather the last week. Try to stay out of the white stuff.

[mothergoose]

Ray,
I feed it but it doesn't want to eat. The last thing it ate was a piece of shrimp. I think the shrimp was bad though it smelled awful. The last time I used it my anenome moved and the bubble starting shriveling up. I threw it away couln't take the smell and was not sure if it was bad but wasnt willing to take any more chances.

[mothergoose]

Edward,
My sister lives in Indian Heights and two children going to graduate from taylor. Is the rest of your family in Indian Heights? We grew up north of sycamore st. Graduated from northwestern. Long drive to get home from where you are!! Stay put and enjoy the weather there. Luckely I dont have to leave the house for work I stay out of the white stuff as much as possible. I think I want a snow blower for christmas. How bout you?

[emccullough1]

We have one daughter and 3 grand daughter's in Indian heights. My sister runs the kitchen at northwestern and has for years. My cousin is the principal of western. My son moves so often I'm not sure he was living near Greentown he is a carpenter and purchases houses and refurbishes them and then sales them along with working every day. My mother lives 6 month's there and 6 here.

[Rainman69]

When you say shrimp are we talking pet or grocery store. It could be to large. I feed mysis,small silversides and diced type shrimp once a week. The only other thing I can think of is water flow. they really don't like a lot of current hitting them directly. From the photos I think he still has a good chance.

[mothergoose]

Ray,
The shrimp were from the pet store. I chopped them up into small pieces. Some may have been too large. tried to feed it some mysis tonight inbetween baking cookies and it just withdrew and didnt want anything to do with it. I have moved it around the tank but it doesnt seem to make a difference where it is located. Hope you are right about his chances. Hate to see it looking so pitiful.

[mothergoose]

Edward,
Seems we have more common ties than just reef keeping. I will be sure to post some pics of snow on Thurs.

[emccullough1]

Have you been able to raise you Salinity and PH yet. Of course I know you need to do it slowly. But I was just wondering if you have maid progress.

[mothergoose]

Edward,
Changed the water today the salinity level is up to1.023, PH still low at7.8 Calcium now low at 360. live chat with Premium Aquatics suggested raising temp to 80, It is now st 78.8. Going to the store tonight to get more cacium and PH buffer. The Bubble looks a little smaller right now but I'm sure that the water change has something to do with that.






Hope he relaxes soon. Have a Great Holiday. Will post tomorrow if anything changes.

[emccullough1]

What type of salt do you use ? I don't know why your Calcium would drop it should have gone up if any thing. And when I add salt mix with water it raises the ph to 8.1. I'm a bit anal attentive about my water and test it before I add it to my tank. And make any adjustments needed before adding to the tank.

[mothergoose]

Edward,
tested water this morning after dosing with buffer and calcium last night and the readings are coming up.
SG 1.023
Temp 79
Calcium 380
PH 8
KH 9
all others at zero.
I use instant ocean. Is there another one that you prefer?
The bubble did eat some mysis tonight and he even had a couple bubbles with color. I dosed again this evening with calcium and buffer will take another reading in the morning.

[emccullough1]

No from what I have read instant ocean is a real good salt mix. I just was wondering why you had a calcium drop with your water change. I use oceanic but from my reading of salt studies I'm thinking of changing. But then again I'm not having any problems so maybe I should go with ( if it's not broke don't fix it ). I'm glad to here that you are seeing improvement in color. I'm thinking that has to be a good sign. By the way if you want to save some key strokes Ed works. Keep me informed I know I would be beside my self if I had a sick coral.I really hope you have turned the corner with it.

[mothergoose]

Ed,
It is still early for testing but I did it anyway . Water still the same as yesterday. Getting ready to go fight the crouds. Nothing really on my list other than stuff for my tank. Premium aquatics is having a Thanksgiving sale. They are only about 20 min away from here and the usually are only open to the public on Saturdays so I'm excited to see what they have in stock. Compared to the last pics it seems to have covered the hard prongs on the front bottom with bubbles. Am I imagining? or is it really looking somewhat better? I think it may be coming out of it what do you think?





Nina

[emccullough1]

I pretty sure I see improvement I need to print both pic's so I can hold them side to side. I predict you will have a beautiful bubble again soon. There's not enough money in Fort Knox to get me out with the crowds. I'm broke any way but the first of the month is not that far away.