Acropora with a bit of black flesh.

[nastronaut]

Hey there,

I got these frags about a week ago, chameleon Acropora and a purple Stylo.

The Stylo is doing really well, but the Acropora had some exposed skeleton when I got it, and parts with some black flesh.

I'd done a revive dip prior during acclimation, and it's generally doing pretty well - parts of the exposed skeleton have been sending out filaments when I feed, and other parts even seem to be growing new flesh, but it's hard for me to be sure, and I don't think the dark spots are expanding, also my hermit crabs have cleaned up a lot of the exposed skeleton and removed most of the black.

That said, I figured I should post here and see if there is anything more I should do for the coral other than leave it alone.

See pictures

 

[Flippers4pups]

What’s your lights like? Looks under par to me.

 

[nastronaut]

What’s your lights like? Looks under par to me.

The photos get autowhite balanced, so it looks more 'true' color (regular white light) than it does in person.I 've got two t5 florescent 24w, one superblue 20k one coral plus 14k. In person it's more blue/green/red than it looks here.

Moved it a bit closer to the light earlier today.

Just trying to figure out about the black spot, trying to photo it everyday and figure out if it's spreading. So far I don't think it is.

 

[Rick5]

two t5 florescent 24w, one superblue 20k one coral plus 14k

That’s it? What size tank? Unless you’re rocking a nano or I’m missing something, you’re probably going to have an uphill battle.

If the coral had skeleton exposed at the base when you got it and it hasn’t receded any further, you’re likely good to go.

 

[nastronaut]

I mean I can get more light if needed but I don't think there's issues right this moment, especially not the spot in question.

Its 40gal, the lights run across most of the top. I don't have a par meter but they penetrate even the sand bed really well, virtually everything in my tank is fine with the light, I'm seeing more and more polyps from the Acropora everyday.

Obviously keeping an eye on it, if I need to get 2 more bulbs or so it's doable - had been considering maybe an led strip to kind of hybridize so to speak.

 

[SeaDweller]

That said, I figured I should post here and see if there is anything more I should do for the coral other than leave it alone.

I mean I can get more light if needed but I don't think there's issues right this moment, especially not the spot in question.

Just leave it alone, probably should have more light anyway.

 

[nastronaut]

I’m confused as to why this is a thread then?

Because I was asking about, as the subject states - the black spot on my Acropora and insight as to what it is.

Specifically in terms of treatment of the black spot.

To me it wasn't a question of light, as the spot was already there, before being subject to my light - and doesn't seem to be getting worse because of my light - though I'm happy to change if needed.

However, when my question isn't acknowledged and the subject is changed to light - yeah I'm not sure why this is where the thread went.

Though I am keeping an eye on it and will move the frag closer to light if it needs it. It's just not in relation to the subject of this thread which is the black spot near the base.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Because I was asking about, as the subject states - the black spot on my Acropora and insight as to what it is.

Specifically in terms of treatment of the black spot.

To me it wasn't sure much a question of light, which I'm happy to change if needed, but when my question isn't acknowledge and the subject is changed to light, yeah I'm not sure why this is the thread.

Understandable. It could be a infection, but I’m not sure. If it doesn’t show any advancement, I wouldn’t worry. If it spreads, I would dip it in some revive.

zooxanthellae that turns brown/dark is usually a indication of high nutrients or lack of light intensity/spectrum. Thus the comments on light intensity.

 

[nastronaut]

Understandable. It could be a infection, but I’m not sure. If it doesn’t show any advancement, I wouldn’t worry. If it spreads, I would dip it in some revive.

zooxanthellae that turns brown/dark is usually a indication of high nutrients or lack of light intensity/spectrum. Thus the comments on light intensity.

Thanks, I didn't mean to seem rude I'm just still new and connecting all these dots. The tank I got them from, to me, did seem quite dark (darker than mine), and he was tearing down his huge tank due to nutrient issues.

I was inspecting this morning and it's, to me, looking a bit better. Not spreading to the polyps right next to the spot, and they're generally out doing their thing. I think my hermits/snails have been cleaning it up.

I'll get more pictures without auto white balance a little later today.

 

[Camaro Show Corals]

Still looks like you need alot more light. No matter what size tank you will need more then 2 T5 bulbs especially for spectrum too. Most people won’t keep sps with no less then a 6 bulb fixture.

 

[nastronaut]

Still looks like you need alot more light. No matter what size tank you will need more then 2 T5 bulbs especially for spectrum too. Most people won’t keep sps with no less then a 6 bulb fixture.

Thanks for the input I'll keep a watch on the corals and up my lighting in the near future as needed.

 

[Camaro Show Corals]

Thanks for the input I'll keep a watch on the corals and up my lighting in the near future as needed.

How long have you had that acro?

 

[nastronaut]

How long have you had that acro?

It's been a week as of today.

 

[minus9]

I know that it may seem frustrating when you post a thread and the replies seem to move in a different direction than you thought, but maybe next time, take a step back and connect those dots. 99.5% of the advice here is spot on and comes from decades of experience and knowledge. We often see things that new reefers don't and we'll let you know about it, because it's about the health of the animals, not the ego of the keeper. Please don't take this the wrong way, it's not my intent to criticize, but to help educate you (and others) in a way that will benefit you and others that are new to the hobby.
As mentioned above, the darker areas could be an overpopulated area of zooxanthellae from high nutrients or more likely, lack of proper lighting. Two T5 bulbs over a 40b is enough for softies and LPS, possibly plating montis higher up?
If you want to keep sps, then a 4 bulb fixture is the minimum and a 6 bulb will take you anywhere you want to go.
Apologies if my response is a little harsh, it's not meant to be, sometimes advice has to get past a barrier we don't realize is there.
Happy reefing!

 

[nastronaut]

I know that it may seem frustrating when you post a thread and the replies seem to move in a different direction than you thought, but maybe next time, take a step back and connect those dots. 99.5% of the advice here is spot on and comes from decades of experience and knowledge. We often see things that new reefers don't and we'll let you know about it, because it's about the health of the animals, not the ego of the keeper. Please don't take this the wrong way, it's not my intent to criticize, but to help educate you (and others) in a way that will benefit you and others that are new to the hobby.
As mentioned above, the darker areas could be an overpopulated area of zooxanthellae from high nutrients or more likely, lack of proper lighting. Two T5 bulbs over a 40b is enough for softies and LPS, possibly plating montis higher up?
If you want to keep sps, then a 4 bulb fixture is the minimum and a 6 bulb will take you anywhere you want to go.
Apologies if my response is a little harsh, it's not meant to be, sometimes advice has to get past a barrier we don't realize is there.
Happy reefing!

No worries you don't sound harsh atall. I appreciate a thorough/detailed response and I get it and plan to make improvements on that front. Gonna look at getting atleast 2 more bulbs very soon. If not some sort of hybrid led setup.

I think maybe it was a bit of misunderstanding, my camera makes most of the red look quite dark/black under the blue light - and even the auto white balance makes most of it very dark, but in person it actually looks quite iridescent red/purple/blue/green.

No white balance, makes most of the red look black. (Circled the actual black spot)

With white balance, a little better but still darker than it appears in person, there's a lot more red/purple in person. (Circled the black spot)

 

[minus9]

It's such a minor spot and probably not something I would worry about unless parameters are out of whack?

 

[nastronaut]

It's such a minor spot and probably not something I would worry about unless parameters are out of whack?

Nah parameters are good and getting better.

Gonna keep an eye out for another 2-4 bulb fixture.

 

[SeaDweller]

Because I was asking about, as the subject states - the black spot on my Acropora and insight as to what it is.

Specifically in terms of treatment of the black spot.

To me it wasn't a question of light, as the spot was already there, before being subject to my light - and doesn't seem to be getting worse because of my light - though I'm happy to change if needed.

However, when my question isn't acknowledged and the subject is changed to light - yeah I'm not sure why this is where the thread went.

Though I am keeping an eye on it and will move the frag closer to light if it needs it. It's just not in relation to the subject of this thread which is the black spot near the base.

My initial answer wasn’t meant for this thread, my mistake.

 

[nastronaut]

My initial answer wasn’t meant for this thread, my mistake.

No worries!

I got an ocean revive unit yesterday after learning more here.

About to run to home depot and get my shelving hook to hang it from!

 

[SeaDweller]

No worries!

I got an ocean revive unit yesterday after learning more here.

About to run to home depot and get my shelving hook to hang it from!

I have a few of those left from my previous tank and they’re only ok. Only thing that sucks is the lack of warranty and the fact violet is on the white channel.

I’d look at Viparspectra over the Ocean Revive f you’re gonna go with one of the black boxes, or Reef Breeders if you can swing those instead.