400 gallon project

[untamed]

Originally Posted by gobytron

Still one of the nicest builds in the GVRD...

Still working on things. I finally decided to upgrade my CA reactor. ( pics to follow).
It is working, but I think I need to put the first reactor back in as an additional reactor. ALK doesn't seem to get higher that 6.5. The more I add, the more the tank uses.

[mikellini]

Did you see my post above?

[gobytron]

Originally Posted by untamed

Still working on things. I finally decided to upgrade my CA reactor. ( pics to follow).
It is working, but I think I need to put the first reactor back in as an additional reactor. ALK doesn't seem to get higher that 6.5. The more I add, the more the tank uses.

I would feel similar to yourself and be looking at the fire coral and wondering how much of your alk is it using...

I can't imagine the work it will take to remove it from your system but it sure seems like it LOVES the parameters in your tank and has a growth advantage over the rest of your corals...

If you ever need a hand getting in there and removing it, I'm sure a lot of us would be happy to help.

Did switching your solenoid wind up just offering a temporary boost?

I wonder if there are any biological options or if you could blast them with hot water or something and kill it off in small batches.

The Millepora genus, although not susceptible to many things, does have few areas that can lead to its demise. Having zooxanthellae algae makes them susceptible to bleaching. Higher temperatures than they are used to will cause this too, along with their being too close to a Metal Halide lamp.

From http://animal-world.com/Aquarium-Coral-Reefs/Fire-Coral and in regards to the branching fire coral so possibly not applicable.

Predators are another nuisance. These include the Pyrgomatina barnacles, both commensal and carnivorous marine worms, (polychaete), and Filefish from the Aluterus and Cantherhines genus. The Crown of Thorns Starfish Acanthaster planci, will also eat these hydracorals, even thought they are stung in the process.

Some of the most interesting predators are nudibranchs, such as the Phyllidia nudibranchs. These feed on Fire corals but can ingest the stinging nematocysts without digesting them. They then use these same nematocysts as defense by transporting them through their intestines to their dorsal appendages. When the sea slug feels threatened, it will then fire the stinging nematocysts at the predator!

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by untamed

ALK doesn't seem to get higher that 6.5. The more I add, the more the tank uses.

What's your Mag @ ?

[lastlight]

Could you not cover large areas with some dark plastic? Thinking black garbage bag strips anchored for a week maybe? You'd have to weave the bags underneath your other colonies but one rock at a time might be manageable. If they're pressed close to the encrusted coral and there's no flow over it maybe a day or two would kill it.

[untamed]

New reactor is starting to work. Alk is up to 8.5. Tank doesn't look too bad.

[gobytron]

Originally Posted by untamed

New reactor is starting to work. Alk is up to 8.5. Tank doesn't look too bad.

Brad, the tank looks amazing.

The fire coral adds to the aesthetic really...such a striking orange.

If they didn;t pose any danger to your other coral and werent so expensive to "feed" I can;t imagine why you would want to change a thing.

[untamed]

The new reactor continues to drive my Alk up...now up to over 9.

For years, I had assumed that I would be unable to keep up with the Ca/Alk demand because I was burning through CO2 like nobody's business. So I accepted what was. Then the CO2 solenoid crapped out. When I replaced it...boom...no more excess CO2 use. Clearly, it had been leaking for quite some time.

So my current thinking is that I will manipulate the tank conditions back to that which favours SPS and then try to outcompete the fire coral with SPS. Or at least beat it into a stalemate with the SPS.

Yes, the fire coral is pretty. Basically, my tank is orange instead of purple. It is kind of like many things. (ie star polyps, mushroom)...they are really nice until they take over the tank. Then you wish they weren't there.

[gregzz4]

Good to hear your alk is up there now. Guess it really does use that much and mag wasn't an issue, or at least isn't an issue now

[Myka]

Originally Posted by untamed

]So my current thinking is that I will manipulate the tank conditions back to that which favours SPS and then try to outcompete the fire coral with SPS. Or at least beat it into a stalemate with the SPS.

Sorry to hear about the loss of your Majestic. One of my favourite (semi) large Angels. Are you making any progress with the Fire Coral?