Trying to save an SPS

VicZA

VicZA

Joined
7 Jul 2013
Posts
997
Reaction score
9
Location
Nelspruit
I have had this particular SPS (not sure of it's name) since May and it has been happy. Recently however it started to degenerate (not sure bleaching or tissue damage). I am not 100% sure if it was due to a parameter shift (although I have not had one), a temperature issue (maybe) or irritation by a clump of brown polyps (more likely - I even saw a polyp growing on the coral).

The SPS started to get white tips and a white base (see pics) which have grown (very gradually) over the last 2-4 days. However, I have now moved the SPS to an area that does not have any brown polyps, I have cut the one offending polyps off as well.

What else should I be doing ? Just giving it time to see if it does recover ?

Coral A 04.jpg


Coral A 05.jpg
 
Looks like tissue necrosis. Fast tissue necrosis usually leaves the coral dead within hours. Slow tissue necrosis takes a few days. Usually happens from shock to incorrect water parameters (temperature, salinity, alkalinity, calcium, nitrates, phosphate etc.) but can also be due to being stung by another coral. Best thing is usually to frag the good area to save some of it.
 
butcherman said:
The dead parts are dead. If the coral recovers it will take a while for it to grow over the dead areas. Fraging is an option. Perhaps try a coral dip first.

Parasites could be anything small like a nudi. To even a small crab.
Click to expand...

Ok, no visible parasites.

Going to see how it reacts over the weekend. Will take daily photos and post them here on Monday.

Thanks for the help.
 
monitor the coral for a few days..if it gets worse then frag it.

are you carbon dosing by any chance? if so, what form of carbon dosing?
 
4age said:
monitor the coral for a few days..if it gets worse then frag it.

are you carbon dosing by any chance? if so, what form of carbon dosing?
Click to expand...

I am ... I dose Carbon flakes mixed in with RO. I have been doing so for some time and no problem with this coral, until recently
 
that coral is brown as ... tells me you have allot of phosphate and a kh of 10 plus. you are starving the coral the zooxanthelleas is using to much carbohydrates and its giving the coral nothing. bring your po down bring kh slowlly down to 7 and def get more flow. and stop dosing this and that. get more light. i am not picking on you but that is a level 5 coral and on the red list as of 1 October 2014
 
Meg G said:
that coral is brown as ... tells me you have allot of phosphate and a kh of 10 plus. you are starving the coral the zooxanthelleas is using to much carbohydrates and its giving the coral nothing. bring your po down bring kh slowlly down to 7 and def get more flow. and stop dosing this and that. get more light. i am not picking on you but that is a level 5 coral and on the red list as of 1 October 2014
Click to expand...

Photo was taken with lights off .... coral looks more like this with pic (attached) when the lights were on .... still brown though

How would you suggest bringing phosphates down ?

I have measured KH many times and always shows around 8 ... unless it is not detected by our hobby kits ? I use the Read Sea kits

What coral is this ?

Coral A 01.jpg
 
Last edited:
NJH said:
I would dip and frag asap
Click to expand...

Hi NJH I am new to dipping and fragging so please explain what it should be dipped in (how frequently, etc) and also how this coral in particular should be fraged ....
 
This is the same coral as in your pH monitoring thread?

In that thread you mentioned switching lights off for three days then going straight to full light cycle?

Before changing too many things and stressing the coral even more, leave it and watch it closely. If it gets worse then consider fragging/dipping/etc.

Your parameters look fine to me, dont rush into changing anything. If you are doubting that your test kits are accurate, take a sample to be tested at the LFS or ask a fellow reefer if they would mind testing for you.
 
no dipping that will stress valida more!!!! that coral is ok just need feeding. i use acropower aa and get more flow..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom