Acros dying off

[SCReef'n]

For some time I’ve been loosing acro frags one at a time basically. They start dying at the base. Polyps will close and the coral will slowly brown out and start loosing tissue. Below are my general parameters as of yesterdat and latest ICP test. I’ve tried to reduce the levels of metals with water changes and poly filter. I’ve done 50 gallons over the last week. Going to do another icp test to see if I’ve made any headway. Any ideas on what may be the culprit. Other frags look great and all my lps are fine.

alk. 7.9
Mag 1320
Cal 400
nitrate <5
Phos .03
pH 8.2
Salinity 1.025

 

[SCReef'n]

Here’s two examples two fox flames next to one another one looks good the other is dying. And a garf bonsai that is starting to go south

 

[mbarber87]

How is the flow on them? Are you noticing any patterns in the die-off acros? Are the ones that died in the (relatively) same locations, light placement, flow?

 

[SCReef'n]

No pattern as far as I can tell. It’s only a 60 cube so not too many places that are significantly different. I did think about something picking at them. I have two emerald crabs I managed to pull one out but they are hard to catch

 

[Ocelaris]

How have your parameters been the last month? Any swings or changes? What's your feeding habits? Honestly anytime I see threads like this I skip the snapshot parameter view and talk about habits and stability. Nutrients could be a bit higher. Have you considered amino acids and a coral food? That's been working wonders for me as long as my alkalinity is stable. In these threads what I really want to hear is dosing regime, water change habits and other things which affect stability such as feeding and testing. If you could go into those details, it would be helpful.

Also best way to catch crabs is put a tall glass jar at a 45 degree angle in the tank at night with some good food. By morning the crab will be stuck and can't get up the sides.

 

[Capitol Reef Corals]

Checked for pests? Bite marks on the acros? See any eggs near the base? Sometimes you have to hard a hard and long stare at the skin to notice any issues due to pests.

 

[SCReef'n]

Parameters have been ok. Alk is always steady lowest I’ve seen has been 7.6. Calcium and magnesium have fallen off recently but I’m increasing my dosing to increase them. I had been doing increased feeding of frozen food to entice a new fish which didn’t make it so if anything the past month nutrients have been a bit crazy. I had no3 at 20 and phos at .13 at one point.

normally I do a 10 gal per week WC (60 gal system) but when I got those test results I increased my frequency and volume of WC to try and remove metals.
I dose 10 ml of acro power every day.

I will try and inspect for marks and see what I find and keep trying to get the remaining emerald crab

 

[SCReef'n]

I have attached a better picture of what I can see using a flash light. There are areas of mottled tissue and some polyps that appear sunken. I circled both areas I don’t see any visible pests or eggs but these areas are concerning

 

[Ocelaris]

Let me give you my good routine when I have time. Weekly water change, alk never dropping more than 0.3 over the course of a week. Calcium always above 420. I test alk once or twice a week. The rest looks good, but if you're far off those marks for a routine, it's almost certainly that. There is usually a two to three week lag. More water changes aren't better, just move your calcium back up and alkalinity to a steady place. That's just what's worked for me. Check out coral euphoria on YouTube, he's got the closest to a Bible for sps care that I ascribe to.

 

[SCReef'n]

Let me give you my good routine when I have time. Weekly water change, alk never dropping more than 0.3 over the course of a week. Calcium always above 420. I test alk once or twice a week. The rest looks good, but if you're far off those marks for a routine, it's almost certainly that. There is usually a two to three week lag. More water changes aren't better, just move your calcium back up and alkalinity to a steady place. That's just what's worked for me. Check out coral euphoria on YouTube, he's got the closest to a Bible for sps care that I ascribe to.

Thanks, I watch Abe’s videos religiously. Also do you make anything of the picture. I’m not sure what pest damage looks like so I’m curious what others think about those marks

 

[najer]

What fish do you have and do you have asterina stars?

 

[SCReef'n]

Fish are: leopard wrasse, bristletooth tang, rhomboid wrasse, clown pair, fire fish, and a mandarin. I’ve seen 1 asterina star before

 

[najer]

Just a thought, I would also like to see your nutrients a bit higher.

 

[PeaBrain]

Keep an eye on your Emeralds. Especially right after dark. And, are all of the diminishing acros at a lower PAR in the DT? I am just wondering about lack of light with their browning.

 

[SCReef'n]

All my acros are 250 or higher. Most of the ones affected have actually been 350-450. I’ve seen them pick at acros before so I’m trying to get them out

 

[SCReef'n]

I’ve struggled with bryopsis and bubble algae so I’ve always tried to keep nutrients low. Just made sure not to let my all levels get much higher than 8