New to LPS but trying to save this brain (pics)

[Dave12678]

Hey guys I was at my LFS today and had my eye on this little brain coral that wasn't looking to great. I talked to the owner who said is fell between the rocks and was cover in algae. I got the brain for 10$ and couldn't pass up on it. Here is what it looks like.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f125/dave12678/IMG_0972.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f125/dave12678/IMG_0973.jpg
I was wondering if you guys could give me some tips on what I need to do to get it looking good again. He still has a lot of tissue left so that's one good sign. I have him at the bottom under the rock where the flow isn't that strong, not weak but not strong. Should I try to feed it? What should I do? My water is in great and stable condition ca is 460, alk 9, PH 8.3. sg 1.025, only thing I am having problems with is nitrates 15 but dropping slowly. My tank has been setup where I have had it for almost a year now. Lighting is 150w MH 2 65w antinics, what do you guys think?

[Dave12678]

bump

[Lotus99]

I'd say feed it when you see its tentacles extended (usually after lights out) with small meaty foods such as cyclopeeze or some mysis shrimp, etc.

[marcsmith73]

no worries. Spot feed the wounded soilder, and take some great care of it. It will form new tissue in know time.


Good luck!

~marc

[DetectiveTofu]

Not to be pessimistic or anything, but IME I haven't seen a brain coral (Trachyphyllia sp.) recover from that much damage. I am definitely NOT saying it can't be done, but best of luck! Maintain optimum water conditions, and feed it!

[Dave12678]

Ok after night one I didn't see his tentacles extended but this morning his is more poofed up. I don't know if this is a good sign or not but when I feed them tonight I will see something I hope.

[asm481]

Lay some food on him even if you do not see tentacles. My red one never had tentacles till food was on it already.

[Runfrumu]

same with my green brain. I use a dropper and squirt a few pieces of mysis around his mouths. He closes up around it and eats it all. His feeders dont come out until night time but he'll eat whenever.

[Dave12678]

Sweet I will try that tonight and let you guys know what happened.

[Dave12678]

Bump he ate tonight I am guessing its a good sign?

[SCOTT42]

Very good sign, If you got alot of fish that seem to rob food from coral,s (like I do) you can put the food on it and put a plastic strawberry basket over it untill its done feeding and remove it once he's done.

[MadTownMax]

There's a pretty good thread in a New Jearsey reef club forum of a similar brain that fully recovered; it was over a year ago that I saw it, but I think they ended up raffling it off through the club at a later date...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=743258&highlight=brain+recovery

[Dave12678]

Thanks for the link :)

[G.SMITHII]

drench whatever you feed in seclone, that'll help him big time

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10934859#post10934859 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by G.SMITHII
drench whatever you feed in seclone, that'll help him big time

just curious what this stuff--seclone is---seen it mentioned alot lately.

[G.SMITHII]

ITS LIKE A GOO FULL OF FATTY ACIDS AND OTHER VITAL NUTRIENTS.

whoa, caps was on. sorry to yell.

but yea i found out about it in the mantis forum. its original intention was to soak all the mantis' food in befe i feed him.

then i noticed my sun polyps and other lps corals would all open up when i fed my mantis.

so now i drop.5ml in the tank daily, and everything i feed gets drenched (accordingly)

[MadTownMax]

selcon - a nutrient supplement for foods high in omega-3 fatty acids and other goodies

[Dave12678]

I used it on my nem when I first got him he was bleached but looking good now :)

[edandsandy]

have you tried an iodine dip to help heal where the tissue has receded.