Shy Frogspawn

[jhmuse]

I have a newly formed 37 gal. reef tank (Custom SeaLife 30" PC w/ Moonlight, 2 Hagen 210s PowerHeads, protein skimmer, wet/dry filter). One of my first inhabitants is a Green Frogspawn. When I first got it, it was doing well and opened up nicely. For about a week, it has been barely peeking out of it skeleton. Does anyone have any ideas as to what might be causing this?
All water levels are within range, and it is receiving moderate waterflow. I am "feeding" it Kent PhytoPlex. (have a couple of featherdusters that eat that).
Thanks in advance for all help.

Jacob

 

[steve-s]

I have a newly formed 37 gal. reef tank

How newly formed and what do you call "within levels" for the parameters?

Depending on how well you acclimated the coral, it could still be settling in. Frogspawns are typically one of the more forgiving of LPS corals when it comes to care but are very intolerable of any NH3/NO2 and will not do well if the NO3 is above 10 ppm or so.

How is the water chem alk/Ca? Any fish or mobile inverts?

Cheers
Steve

 

[jhmuse]

Newly formed= 2 1/2 months.
Levels are as follows:

SG = 1.023
PH = 8.0
KH = 10
NO2 = <0.3 mg/l
Ammonia = not measureable
CA = @ 425 mg/l

Occupants are:
1 Black Sailfin Goby
1 Yellowatchman Goby
1 Bangii Cardinal
1 Sgt.Maj. Damsel
1 Seabe Clownfish
@ 20 red tip and scarlet hermits
@ 10 turbo snails
2 horseshoe crabs
4 emerald crabs
10 bubmlebee snails

Also, this tank has been running for over a year, it was converted from a FOLR.

 

[steve-s]

Your chemistry is pretty good but the problem is most likely in part due to the NO2 reading. That should be zero at all times. With NO2 present, your NO3's are most likely elevated as well. Do you know what the nitrate level is?

What do you normally feed the fish, how often and what is the primary filtration source?

What time of day was the ph tested? 8.0 is a little on the low side but may not be a concern if tested early in the day.

I would caution you on the horseshoe crabs as well. They can be quite destructive due to their clumsiness and can quickly devestate the fauna in the sandbed. Your snail population is a little on the low side but if your other "critters" are keeping the tank otherwise clean and the algaes are controlled you may leave well enough alone...

Cheers
Steve