Spring coral losses

Jason McK · #1 04-30-2009, 07:35 PM

It appears every spring I am faced with SPS loses. This year appears to be worst than normal. Of course it could be just the time of year I decide to do stupid things but I don't think so.

I've read other threads where people are loosing pieces. Who here is loosing coral?

My current readings are
CA 410
ALK 7.7
Mag 1250
PH 8.21 - 8.53
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
Phosphate <0.003
Temp 78.6 - 79.5

I suspect my high PH might be the cause. I have recently switch from a CA Reactor to a 2 part dosing system and the use of soda ash has cause a higher than normal PH

Keri · #2 04-30-2009, 07:42 PM

I've lost a couple of pieces recently but I'm positive it's a water quality issue for me, I've been really busy lately and the tank hasn't been a priority

GreenSpottedPuffer · #3 04-30-2009, 07:43 PM

I just pulled out half my sps in the past two weeks. Most of it went yesterday.

I had low ALK for a bit but everything seemed to get through that. Then a few weeks after getting the ALK back up, I have lost a bunch. Maybe was the ALK but I don't know...doesn't seem like it.

All kind of an STN thing. They would one day start to loose polyp extension and then the next get pale and then over the next week or so start to go.

Levels in the tank are testing fine. My PH is always up above 8. Anywhere from 8.2-8.5

Alk has been steady right at 8.

Can't find any pests. Pretty sure thats not it.

Frags I have gotten from friends or other reefers are all fine. Old stuff I have had for a year or more is fine. Only stuff I have bought in the past 6 months or so has died. Might just be coincidence though.

LPS is fine of course. Although I lost a candy cane colony.

Who knows! But it really has me turned off of sps for now!

Tom R · #4 04-30-2009, 07:50 PM

Sorry to hear about your loss.

It must be that expensive salt your using.

Tom R

Jason McK · #5 04-30-2009, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom R

Sorry to hear about your loss.

It must be that expensive salt your using.

Tom R

HAHA. I actually tried the H2O stuff and that triggered the problem. I'm now back to RBS

Phanman · #6 04-30-2009, 07:54 PM

ive lost a few SPS frags myself this past week....

fencer · #7 04-30-2009, 08:13 PM

Are you guys all using RO/DI water?

untamed · #8 04-30-2009, 08:21 PM

I hacked 1/3 off a large pocci last night...expect the remain 2/3 to be gone within the next 48 hours. I'm also on D&D salt at the moment. Lost my rainbow monti in 48 hours last week. Really...I've been losing coral since Xmas.

No measurable parameter can I explain what has been happening to me. (I don't measure potassium). It behaves viral or bacterial and I'm experimenting with some unique dips to see if I can stop the progression on sample pieces. So far, iodine based dips don't really seem to be helping.

Meanwhile, I have 4 or 5 other acros (mostly millis) that are thriving, growing rapidly and look fabulous! I'm baffled.

You know...the best results I seem to have were with Ocean Pure Pro....go figure.

If D&D salt is truly manufactured by evaporative process...is it possible that this can introduce some naturally occuring bacteria/virus that can overwhelm a weak SPS? Just a theory...

GreenSpottedPuffer · #9 04-30-2009, 08:25 PM

I am using D-D salt too.

My millies are still thriving and looking really great. Tough buggers!

my2rotties · #10 04-30-2009, 08:27 PM

I lost four colonies and a few frags myself. Nothing has changed with water quality. One of the colonies went in less then 45 minutes. My losses have been in the last four days. I did a 90g water change and will be changing the carbon in the reactor tonight.

At least I don't feel so bad about this now.