Requesting help with coral problems

[ATJ]

If you have a problem with one of more of your corals and need help it is important that you provide as much information as possible in your original post so that others can better determine the possible cause and suggest causes of action as quickly as possible.

If you are not feeling well and go to the doctor, he or she can't immediately determine what is wrong and so will gather as much information as possible so they can make a diagnosis. They may ask a lot of questions and your answers to those questions help them form an opinion of the problem. The same approach can be used in diagnosing coral problems but as any dialogue on forums takes so much longer, it is in the best interests of you and the coral(s) if most of the questions are answered up front.

The following information should be provided:

* Tank details: Size, how long it has been running, filtration, circulation, lighting

* Water details: The readings for every parameter you have tested

* Coral details: How long you have you had it? Was it quarantined? How much light and water flow is the coral receiving? Is it expanding by day or by night? What is the coloration of the coral? Has it changed at all since you've had it? Are you feeding the coral? If so, with what and how often? Is there any damaged tissue visible? Is the coral close to anything that might be stinging it, such as anemones, zoanthids or other corals? Could fish or other animals be picking at it? Post a clear photograph showing the problem, if possible.

* Other inhabitants details: Have you introduced any other inhabitants recently, and if so what and when? Were they quarantined?

Note that while some of the information above may not be required, depending on the description of the problem, all the above information is helpful in understanding the environment of the coral. Just posting "All parameters are fine" is not enough detail because a) your definition of "fine" might be different from others and b) there may be parameters you haven't tested that are not "fine".

[majesticangelfish]

Water details: The readings for every parameter you have tested

IMO At the very least in an established tank, Please include:

Temp, S.G., pH, Ca, KH, (Mg), NO3/PO4

For a new one, also test the:

NH4/NH3, NO2

Josh

[ATJ]

Nitrite is not really all that important - other than to indicate that the biological filtration has not been established. It is not particularly toxic in a marine environment.