Long tentacle plate coral skeleton showing

[Cody000125]

Hi All!

Hoping to get some help in finding out why my plate coral would be having issues... I got it around 2 weeks ago at reefapalooza and it looked great for a long time, this picture was from last Thursday:


Here's what it looks like currently:


Here are my parameters:
Salinity: 1.026
Nitrate: 1.7
Phosphate: 0.05
Alk: 8.86
Calc: 451
Mag: 1358
Par: ~120

I've been spot feeding reef roids & some mysis. It's currently on the sand bed on a small square frag rock to keep it semi-elevated over the sand bed so no debris get in it(not sure if that'd be an issue). Also my clowns decided they'd like host it as well if they may be irritating it? Not sure.. Would really appreciate any input! Thanks!

 

[Reefering1]

Too much flow? Does the other side look like that or just the side being pushed back by water flow?

 

[Uncle99]

Unfortunately, this coral is known for its short life in captivity. Say 4-6 months best. Sellers know this. Shame! First looks stunning, then overnight starts to shrink. Good shops don’t sell them, they get them free as a substitute coral.
Sorry,

 

[Cody000125]

Too much flow? Does the other side look like that or just the side being pushed back by water flow?

It's both sides - I actually changed the flow yesterday so it gets a bit more, it was originally getting very little flow where the tentacles weren't moving much. How much flow do you recommend for them?

Edit - not sure why the video doesn't show... You can download it if you want to see the current flow

 

[Cody000125]

Unfortunately, this coral is known for its short life in captivity. Say 4-6 months best. Sellers know this. Shame! First looks stunning, then overnight starts to shrink. Good shops don’t sell them, they get them free as a substitute coral.
Sorry,

That sucsk! Why is their lifespan so short? I've seen mentions in other threads of others keeping them for upwards of 3-6 years.

 

[Reefering1]

I suggest just enough to keep them moving but random enough that it it's just blown to one side(may be difficult to accomplish that close to the glass or with one power head)

 

[Uncle99]

That sucsk! Why is their lifespan so short? I've seen mentions in other threads of others keeping them for upwards of 3-6 years.

Some claim years in captivity like you said, I have not had, over twenty years, one last outside 4-6 months.

A bit like elegance corals, they do super well and look great at first, then, poof. Why? Who knows for sure.

But perhaps you got one like others report and it’s just a phase.

Me, I don’t waste any more money on these. They are on the list of stuff that does poorly in captivity somewhere on this site.

I seen the price on them on the import documents as $0.00 usd marked “substitute” that’s gotta say something.

 

[Cody000125]

I suggest just enough to keep them moving but random enough that it it's just blown to one side(may be difficult to accomplish that close to the glass or with one power head)

Yeah.. Maybe have to try in a new location with it, I'll try and make it more random! Thanks

 

[Cody000125]

Some claim years in captivity like you said, I have not had, over twenty years, one last outside 4-6 months.

A bit like elegance corals, they do super well and look great at first, then, poof. Why? Who knows for sure.

But perhaps you got one like others report and it’s just a phase.

Me, I don’t waste any more money on these. They are on the list of stuff that does poorly in captivity somewhere on this site.

I seen the price on them on the import documents as $0.00 usd marked “substitute” that’s gotta say something.

Man that sucks! Guess I should've done more research prior

 

[Uncle99]

Man that sucks! Guess I should've done more research prior

Not much out there on corals that die fast!
I’ve lost 6 in 2 years, thought I was just unlucky.

In the last 5 years, if any coral dies suddenly, I NEVER replace it. This process has work well.

It’s kinda like most starfish. Most die. But how many of us ask how long in captivity for anything? Not that the LFS is going to tell you the truth, what mine says is “some tell us they last forever”.

Sure.

 

[VintageReefer]

Also have been in hobby 20+ years
These are known for adapting poorly to home aquariums. Usually starts to decline in first month and gone a few months later.

This is like how goniopora was a decade ago. I’ve also tried to keep one and bought what appeared to be a healthy specimen. And lost it a few months later

Some people do have longer success, that’s an exception and not the norm.

I would start with basics of sensitive lps care. I would elevate more from the sand. Get a frag stand like one of these so no part of the plate touches sand

Feed every day. Mysis. Krill. Pellets. I would avoid powdery foods. Big mouthed corals want meatier food.

Medium flow and low light.

 

[Cody000125]

Not much out there on corals that die fast!
I’ve lost 6 in 2 years, thought I was just unlucky.

In the last 5 years, if any coral dies suddenly, I NEVER replace it. This process has work well.

It’s kinda like most starfish. Most die. But how many of us ask how long in captivity for anything? Not that the LFS is going to tell you the truth, what mine says is “some tell us they last forever”.

Sure.

That makes sense, appreciate the input, also love your tank looks great!

 

[Cody000125]

Also have been in hobby 20+ years
These are known for adapting poorly to home aquariums. Usually starts to decline in first month and gone a few months later.

This is like how goniopora was a decade ago. I’ve also tried to keep one and bought what appeared to be a healthy specimen. And lost it a few months later

Some people do have longer success, that’s an exception and not the norm.

I would start with basics of sensitive lps care. I would elevate more from the sand. Get a frag stand like one of these so no part of the plate touches sand

Feed every day. Mysis. Krill. Pellets. I would avoid powdery foods. Big mouthed corals want meatier food.

Medium flow and low light.

Got it, will try and update the flow and get it raised a bit. What do you consider low light? Currently have it at ~120 par.