acro deaths spreading

[ollski]

Ok guys I have a bit of an update from my last thread where one of my main acros was dying. I fragged it and all the frags died, now i have another one necrosing and by the look of it a gorgonia, and 2 stylopora frags aswell. I have carried out a 20% water change and I'm just about to run through a full set of water tests. If it is a bacterial infection should I be removing the necrosing corals from the tank and should I be increasing the frequency and size of the water changes?
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/a2.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/a1.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/a3.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/a4.jpg

[Gav Cornwall]

HHmmm you sure you haven't got flatworm or red bugs ?

[simon garratt]

Ollski, I have hunches but would like to see the test results first. Likewise can you give us a list of any changes you have made to the system within the last month. no matter how seemingly insignificant.

regards

Si.

[ollski]

ok here they are:
ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 10mg /l
iron 0
phosphate 0
dkh 11.2 / 4 meq /l
mag 1350
calcium 400
sg 1.024
ph 8.4

There have been quite a few changes in the last month, I have fitted the calcium reactor, changed my ro filters, put new activated carbon in the sump, lowered my lights a few inches, now removed media bags from the sump which I stupidly had closed with metal sprung clothes pegs, dropped the chiller / heater from 27 to 26. Think thats about it. I do have a couple of leathers in there but always have. My sps growth particularly montis has been very poor and so is polyp extension.

[simon garratt]

Well theres nothing in the perameters that would have tripped this scenario off that i can see as long as they've been consistant.

Looking at that list below. I think it may be a simple case of too much too quickly. Combining, new carbon with an increase in lighting intensity (distance from light source) can quite easily lead to UV damage which is where the tip burning comes in. with the addition of a Ca reactor and any sudden shifts in dKh then its quite possible to trip the corals over the edge.

Personnaly, i would raise the lighting back up to reduce stress. (rember that at present they are trying not only to increase pigmentation but also stave off possible UV damage that they have allready recieved. raising the lights will aid this.

As for the corals allready affected. your best option is to cut out or frag any damaged colonies to remove all dead or dying material from the system. place affected colonies lower down in the tank for the time being, and avoide making any further changes for at least a couple of months untill they have had a chance to settle down again.

Ultimately i think youve learnt a valuable lesson in SPS keeping, in that you want to avoid at all costs rapid changes in environment even those seemingly for the better. and take things one step at a time to avoid multiple changes.

Hope things pull round for you.

regards

Si.

[kitenski]

now removed media bags from the sump which I stupidly had closed with metal sprung clothes pegs

How long were these in the tank for?

[ollski]

How long were these in the tank for?

Afew months but a couple were badly corroded.

[kitenski]

I wonder if they have contaminated the water? I wonder if anyone could give a more informed opinion than me on wether corroded clips could pollute the water?

Can you get a polyfilter into the system, would be a good way to check and cleanup just in case?

Regards,

Greg

[simon garratt]

a valid point there to be honest . a polyfilter may assist things along.

As for the peg thing, it entirely depends on what metal was used and wether it was galvanised/plated etc. if so it may well be a case of zinc poisoning which is linked to necrotizing and cellular problems.

regards

Si.

[Tony B]

Wow I feel for you mate :( I would be close to tears if that was my SPS. Hope you pull it back mate :)

Looks like you've got some good advice, fingers crossed from herein I guess? Best of luck....:)

[ollski]

Cheers all, I'm beginning to get confused now. Zinc seems to be in many of the coral growing additives, is this another form?. I'm pretty sure the corroding metal could have been leeching all sorts of unpleasant things though. It would also tie in timewise with the poor polyp extension and lack of growth (nothing in 6 months on montis). Have had another thought about when I was cutting back my rogue xenia, would that release any chemicals....though I have done it many times with no ill effects.
Alk burn has been mentioned on rc....anyone ever experienced this?

[MarineManMercer]

I have started keeping sps just this last year and so far so good,touching wood or more like cloth.My acros are growing nicely but noticed my montis are not.Hope you get your sps sorted asap mate as it must be terrible to watch.As Simon stated it dont take much to upset the sps corals.