HoCkEyGmC
Aquarium Advice Addict
the big parameter swing took the star sometime over the past 3 days. my nitrates were 5 times the norm so im thinkin that thats what did it in. this has been a hard week and its only 2 days in.
it is possible that the person watching the tank topped off without dechlorinating the water..
"Brain" corals tend to take longer to recondition other than Xeniids ime. Make sure it is receiving adequate flow and take note of any excessive sliming and/or jelly like substances (usually brown) around the tissue margins. Didn't you mentioned something about the lights being on more than usual in your other thread? I cannot imagine what is going on with your tank being that you left only for two days. My only thoughts, and please forgive me as I make no blind accusation, is there were unwarranted hands or an accident within the tank or vicinity and you are just not being told about it. I mention this based on experience unfortunately...keep up on the water changes for now until things begin to straighten up more
Edit** Unless the fish was already weakened I doubt the emerald would bother it; however, a starfish is fair game. Any hermit could also have wounded the star, but it would have had to be left for dead to cause such a massive die off imo.
I imagine the Xenia is reproducing and probably stemmed from the excess organics in the water. Within 24hrs-48hrs you should start to see some tentacles and pinnules extruding if that's the case. For holding purposes that would be just fine. You may have to photo-acclimate the torch depending on the previous placement at the lfs. Are you considering the 3g your quarantine tank? Just being sure since there is a difference between a Holding tank and Quarantine tank that most do not differentiate.
Ah ok, picture is clear now lol. I only mention photo-acclimation because a 3g is shallow. Place the coral at the bottom of the tank and if you can raise the fixture any, do so. You are trying to limit the intesity of exposure so the coral isn't shocked with that amount of light, depending on its previous placement. Quarantine tanks either have a sponge filter or hob filter, a heater, and pvc for fish to hide in. QT does not need specific lighting and indirect lighting will be best since medications may degrade with direct light exposure. You can use a mesh bag full of sand from your main system to help kickstart a cycle in QT Depending on how you see the tank adjusting and achieving a healthier outlook, water changes could vary around 10% weekly until you deem it recovered.