Kenya Tree Problems

[jo5h]

So I've got this Kenya Tree and one of the branches kinda turned real dark and is sagging. What should I do? I was told to feed it Coral life and that's what I've been doing. Any info I should need to know?

[betamed]

I would not worry too much about feeding the coral. Tell us about you set up, lights, filters, test results etc....

[ckusnierek]

Thats what kenya do the "drop limbs" thats how they spread.

[jo5h]

well, my tank really isn't anything to brag about. I have a hex 5 (display tank/my first try), i'm getting a 50/50 12" t-5 light for it, caribsea bimnipink sand, i've got a whisper 10g pump (getting a penguin bio wheel), my test strips say that everything is in range, i've got 2 chunks of live rock, a neon blue goby, and a mandarin. thats about whats in the tank.

[luvmylo]

too many fish in a 5. In that tank I would do a really really small goby and that's it. The mandarin (not trying to flame at all) will probably not last long at all in that tank cuz there's not enough food for him. I would look at returning that fish and spending my money on some mushrooms or something. That kenya's probably not getting enough flow in ur tank either and it's rather confined. This is just my .02 though

[jo5h]

well, i appriciate all the info I can get. I tried to set up as much flow as i could with an air pump on either side of the tree. I've been feeding brine+coral life, and the mandarin seems to be fine. I'm actually looking into getting some rotifers and copepods, but the only place i've really found is www.reef-nutrition.com and its REALLY expensive. what would be a good food for the tree, neon, and mandarin to get?

[luvmylo]

I don't feed my coral and with the mandarin I would definately try to buy live pods. I know they're expensive but that mandarin probably won't live more than a couple of months without.

[bigdeeezy]

i am having the same problem...i recently bought a kenya tree frag and mounted it on a piece of rock. it would stay up for a while and then sags down like its dead...i have a 55 gallon with odyssea protein skimmer, 20 gallon sump, fluval 304 filter and a 48" compact flourescent lighting...salt level is right only thing i out into my tank is phytoplankton and turbo calcium...is that all that it needs?

[betamed]

all a kenya tree needs is decent light and a little bit of flow. No need to add CA in a tank without stoney corals.

[TahoeMtn]

Did you say you are using an "air Pump" for water movement? Most of us use a power head or something similar. An air pump will cause verticle movement of the water and we are looking for more side to side.
And do you have a skimmer?

[bigdeeezy]

i found out it takes a day or so for the kenya tree to feel comfortable enough to open up...just turned on my light and let some water flow through it and now it is doing pretty well

[mluna785]

Originally Posted by betamed

No need to add CA in a tank without stoney corals.

This isn't true. All corals need CA to live, not just stony corals. While it is true that stony corals need a lot more CA it isn't true to say that soft corals don't need CA. All Corals need CA to survive. You don't have to add extra CA to your water because you should be getting enough from your salt mix.

[brownie_r]

I also have a kenya tree, the **** thing won't quit dropping limbs. just it's way of propagating... don't worry about it when it slumps over, it will stand up again.

[Mindsgoneawol]

Originally Posted by brownie_r

I also have a kenya tree, the **** thing won't quit dropping limbs. just it's way of propagating... don't worry about it when it slumps over, it will stand up again.

i wish mine would drop pieces. lol. i wanna kenya forest... but then thats just me.. but its still young and i'll just have to wait it out.. lol..

[nicksgt]

How long do they do that for?