Tank Progression: 60 gallon

[*GSP*Fan*]

You're gonna pollute your tank with that crap. This is why I told you to spot-feed with the flow off. I use a turkey baster. Feed meaty foods (mysis/bloodworm), soaked in Selcon (amino acids) & Vita-Chem. Keep an eye that the fish don't steal the food form them. Might want to feed the fish, 1st.

If I attempted feeding with any of those foods I was going to do the feeding outside of the tank. Once and if I got a response I would resume feeding in the tank.

I have been trying to target feed in the tank, with the sun covered with the bottle, this is keeping the flow off and keeping any inverts from stealing food. I've done this at night and the fish have not been a problem. The wrasse is buried asleep by this point and the clowns in their corner asleep, no attempts from them to steal food.

The problem is the sun has not responded in any way yet to even feed. I've been using a syringe through a hole I punched in the bottle cap to try and feed. I am using meaty foods and soaking in Vita-Chem, I do not have Selcon but can get some if it will help in any way. I've first squirted in some of the liquid from the foods soaking (in tank water/vita-chem) and waited to see if that would revoke a response. Then I squirt in the mysis/brine. I still have not seen the coral attempt to feed in any way though. Because it has not attempted to feed and because it certainly appears to be starved I've been searching on how to revive a sun coral in this state. Thats when I came across the thread I linked in my last post.

I'm not familiar with the foods/supplements that were suggested in that thread and that is why I posted here first. It just seemed it might not hurt to try since I can not target feed if it won't open. I've had it since Friday and have not gotten a response. I'm just worried because it has not ate and was looking for a solution. But I do not want to ruin water quality in the process. The mysis/brine I'm currently feeding is being ate as soon as I remove the bottle as the nassarius snails, hermits, etc are right outside waiting. I've also been testing the water parameters (ammonia/nitrite/nitrate) and producing RO/DI water to be able to mix up some saltwater when/if needed, if this feeding affects any of the levels.

[Pufferpunk]

Go ahead & get the Selcon, it's good for your fish, too.
Try placing the sun coral in a container & feeding in there. Coat the heads with food & let it sit in the dark for an hour.

[*GSP*Fan*]

Go ahead & get the Selcon, it's good for your fish, too.
Try placing the sun coral in a container & feeding in there. Coat the heads with food & let it sit in the dark for an hour.

I'll see if the LFS has that tomorrow instead of any of the other products, they're closed now. If not, I'll place an order online.

That was my next step, outside of the tank, with the mysis/brine just because I could let it sit longer and actually place some food on each polyp easier. I just found that information and thought that may have been a better route, asked opinion first of course.

Do you know if the polyps/heads have to be visibly out before it can actually take the food? Rather, if the polyps are still receded some can they still suck in the food without fully extending? I'm hoping so and at least I can monitor more closely out of the tank as far as seeing if any of the polyps actually take in the food.

Another question, I know how to get in into the container without getting it out of the water. Its also attached to a rock now so I don't have to handle it. For getting it back into the tank would or could it cause too much stress to remove it from the water for a second to place back in the tank so that all of the uneaten food isn't back in the tank? Or would it be best to just lower it into the tank while still in the container covered in water? Just thought if it wouldn't be too much of an issue it would save some nitrates in the near future.

Here is a picture from the other side, showing what white is present..that worries me on top of it not feeding especially.

[Pufferpunk]

It's dying. I'd complain about it being shipped so late you, getting cold.
You could possible save the heads that are still orange. It cannot eat unless the polyps are extended. This is definitely not a beginner's coral, at all.

[*GSP*Fan*]

It's dying. I'd complain about it being shipped so late you, getting cold.
You could possible save the heads that are still orange. It cannot eat unless the polyps are extended. This is definitely not a beginner's coral, at all.

I expected that was the case. It was already white when I received it. I mean I could tell it obviously did not look well and certainly didn't look like any sun corals I had seen online. In your opinion, is it that far gone already?

I did actually email them once, two days ago I believe, it was soon after I received the coral and after I had attempted to feed without a response. I had explained how I hadn't seen any polyp extension (or any response for that matter), how it hadn't ate, etc. The response from them was saying how it takes time for corals to adapt to a new tank and after a move. Also, about their 14 day live guarantee. They had asked that if it did not respond to send a picture and all before the 14 days were up.

It was on the UPS truck all day because they wouldn't deliver to my location with the weather (though I honestly don't know why as I made it out that morning no problem) and I had to pick up the package at 8 that night when the truck arrived back at the facility. I don't know if they would take that into account as it was UPS and probably respond with it being out of their control, we'll see.

I know its not an easy coral and that it does take work in terms of it needing more attention, needing fed and all. I was and still am up for that task so I wouldn't necessarily consider it too difficult because I do understand its care. I just didn't know ahead of time how difficult it might have been to get to feed initially. Though, if it had been healthier beforehand and not left on a truck to get cold that may not have been a problem.

I know I really would like one of these corals (even if this one does not pull through-I'm trying). I have already contacted my LFS to see if they can get one and they would be able to. So at least I wouldn't run into the issues with it being cold and all.

Any idea how long it would/could make it if it take it a while to open to feed (if it ever does) before it would be too late , so to speak? I've had it since Friday.

[PufferMe!]

PP your tank is amazing! I stand corrected. When I first joined you had a picture of your tank, with all "fake" corals, that is where I got the info you didn't have corals. Beautiful display!!

[Pufferpunk]

Yeah, that was my GSP tank. They are the reason I got into reefing. I started with easy softies with them & then some zoanthids & they were messing with them, so I figured since the tank was too small for them anyway, I'd re-home them & keep the corals. The rest is history...

[PufferMe!]

I really do love the corals, and if my GSP started messing with them, I'd have to place him. I wonder if I should start thinking about it. I just think it will be so hard to find him a good home. What do you mean by messy? So far, mine is fine with everything, except he picks on the nassarius snails. How long has your reef tank been set up?

Gwen

[Pufferpunk]

I started with the GSPs 55g as a reef & moved everything to a 90g, which is pictured above, about 5 years ago. I also have a 50g cube.

[*GSP*Fan*]

Last night was my first attempt at feeding the sun coral outside of the tank. The coral is attached to a rock so I did not have to handle the coral and it remained underwater at all times, hoping this reduced any stress. I tried the feeding as before. I tried enticing the coral to open by first squirting in the liquid from the foods soaking and later adding the mysis/brine into the water. I also targeted each head but do not think anything was eaten as I did not see any obvious response. While I'm disappointed I did not get a response I feel somewhat hopeful for the coral still because the white has not spread.

I'll continue this feeding routine, and maybe look into other food options that may be better for enticing it open, until I get a response or see a decline. I'm not sure what else I can be doing.

[Tim]

I hope the coral makes it . Sun corals really are quite beautiful.

[Pufferpunk]

Sure are!

[G S P Freak]

Sorta off topic but PP, why do your pics always say <copyright date> Gary L. Parr?
Also GSP Fan, I might as well pipe up since I've been stalking you're thread for a while ; Nice work so far! I hope your coral makes it, it does seem like a very nice looking coral. P.S. can we get a full-tank shot update!? I wanna see how that bad boy looks so far lol.

[Tim]

Sure are!

Stunning photo

[Pufferpunk]

Sorta off topic but PP, why do your pics always say <copyright date> Gary L. Parr?

Because I take crap pics thru glass. My friend Gary, is a professional photographer & he takes way better pics of my tanks!