Problems with my red open brain coral
 

Best of the season to all.

I got an open brain coral about a month ago for my 55g tank. Colour was great until about a week ago. The red seems to be disappearing. Water parameters appear to be ok, so as the tree said to the lumberjack, I'm stumped.

The coral is on the sand bed partially sheltered by a live rock overhang. I have 2x55W 10000K compact fluorescent bulbs going for about 8 hours/day along with actinic lighting. There is good flow.

Is this colour loss common? How do I bring back that vibrant red colour?

Any help would be appreciated.

Are you feeding it?

I add the phytoplankton 2-3 times per week at recommended dosages.

I wonder if that is enough w's - whats the distance from the bulbs ?

The coral is about 18" from the lights

maybe try and move it out into the open for a bit

Try and feed it some brine shrimp at night and make sure nothing steals the food. Do that a couple times a week and see if that makes a difference. JMO

Braincorals don't eat phytoplankton. That could mean it's hungry! :razz:

Try feeding it some mysis at night when it's polyps are out.

Pardon the ignorance, but could you tell me what mysis is? Where can i get some in the interior? Also, can you suggest ways to feed the coral so that the other fish don't eat it?

Thanks

It is a fresh water shrimp. this is how I feed them to my sun coral. Turn off light and wait for it to open. Defrost mysis in a little bit of tank water. Rinse it to get ride of impurities, turn pumps off, use turkey baster( not your wifes, you'll need to get a new one :smile: ) then gently squeeze the mysis into the open polyps. If the fish come, gently tap them with baster, they won't hang around. Good luck