Tree Softie with black coloring

[Markster]

I have a tree coral that has grown for several years from a frag that I was given at a MAAST meeting in Rounrock. I noticed that in the middle of stalk and on some of the smaller branches in the center gave a black film on them. I used a brush and knocked some of the film off and it seems the tissue is dying. Is this a correct assessment? If so, anything to resolve it?

[akm]

If you've had it that long then it's probably fairly large. It happens often, the bottom of the stalk or some part may die off for some reason I don't know. If algae is growing on it then you may want to way it off or something like you did to keep it from growning more on the living tissue.

[Markster]

It looked worse tonight so I cut the entire piece out at the bottom of the stock. Will it grow back from the stalk left or should I remove it entirely?

[prof]

I get red algae on some of my softies. I blast them with a little water from a turkey baster. It knocks off the algae and the coral seems much happier.