Sarcophyton Question

[HARRISON]

I have a very nice white tipped sarcophyton. It is about 8 inches across and is beautiful when it opens up. I know that leathers can be moody and close up for extended periods to shed and all that so keep that in mind.

Mine has been closed for about a week. About three or four days into this it started to open then closed back up. After it closed back up I changed about 15 to 20 gallons of water in an 80 gallon with a 30 gallon sump. Everything else is looking good although I have a little bit of algae growing on the front glass due to a little over feeding. The concern is that the leather has a green tint that looks like it might be algae growing directly on it. In the center it looks waxy like it does before it sheds. I increased the water clow but the algea still appears to be there.

Water appears to be normal parameters. Calcium tests at like 500 which seems a little high and ALK is 2.2
Ph 8.2
Phosphate .1
temp 78-79
sg 1.025-.026


Any ideas on this. I am pretty sure it will pull out of it. The base is still firm and it is not slumped over. I wonder if it just had low flow and the algea is on the waxy surface and it is trying to shed it off... That is what i think, if you have any ideas or agree let me know. This is my favorite coral and I would really hate to lose it.


Thanks
HARRISON

 

[Josh]

I wouldn't worry about it, it should open up soon. I have one sarcophyton that has had about 10 splits. I've had it in VERY bad water conditions and it has always pulled through.

 

[newreefman1]

I used to rub mine too when closed and take the mucous off and clean it up.

Your alk is 2.2 meq/l? Im taking it thats the scale..if that is dkh you have some low alk.

GL. harrison.
PS. did barry tell you about the attemting to form 'Dennys' club?

 

[toptank]

You might try keeping your hand out of the tank

Barry

 

[Anonymous]

2.2 meq/l is still a little low as NSW is ~2.5 meq/l. As to the rest of the question

, Relax and have a coke and a smile. I think it is just doing the sarco thing. i have heard of it going on for a month.

 

[toptank]

Now Michael, you know I was just kidding you

 

[reefhope]

Try rubbing the green areas with your finger, if algae it should easily rub off. I had a large sinularia that would close up randomly, although when my system went out of whack it closed up more often and for longer periods

I would also check to see that no neighbors (zooanthids, yellow polyps, aiptasia) are stinging it. Otherwise they are very tough to kill.

 

[HARRISON]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the responses. I got stuck working a double shift tonight so I just got in. I will make this short since I have to be up in five hours. I have been gone since dark thirty this morning but my roomy said it opened up a little bit but only on one side. I think most of you are right about it doing the sarco thing. I got a couple nice e-mails saying similar stuff and also a suggestion to move it. I am not getting too worried yet, but don't mind asking people that know more than I do. I am not shy about asking what I don't know or sharing what I do. Most of the algae is gone today since I adjusted a powerhead to give more flow. I think my alk is a little low and my calcium is a little high so I may need to tweek that a bit over the weekend. I also know that I am overfeeding and am running carbon and phosphogaurd today. I think things will clear up. This tank has run very well since I have had it and I have lost very little I am proud to say.

Thanks for the responses again, I will post tomorrow to give you an update after my nap...

HARRISON

 

[HARRISON]

Oh, and Barry I sent you mail and Jason I haven't heard about the Denny's thing but sounds like food and reef talk so count me in. Thank goodness I have the weekend off!!!

I will also be making the trip to Ron's tomorrow.
(new shipment coming in to a LFS for those that don't know)

G, night
Harrison