Are bleached corals dead once algae starts to show up?

[Jcon82]

Hi All,

I had an alk swing and several of my frags bleached and RTN'd. I moved them all to a shady spot and occasionally broadcast reef energy and phyto. My question is , Are they already gone once brown or red algae starts to grow on them?

Corals in questions are Birdsnest, Bird of Paradise and several Montis. The red algae may just be the color returning to the Mystic sunset Monti.

 

[MaxTremors]

In general, yes. Algae generally won’t grow on living tissue.

 

[ScottB]

Hi All,

I had an alk swing and several of my frags bleached and RTN'd. I moved them all to a shady spot and occasionally broadcast reef energy and phyto. My question is , Are they already gone once brown or red algae starts to grow on them?

Corals in questions are Birdsnest, Bird of Paradise and several Montis. The red algae may just be the color returning to the Mystic sunset Monti.

Pretty much. It is certainly when I throw in the towel.

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

I agree with above. I have never observed algae growing on healthy tissue on corals. I have seen it on dead spots.

 

[Jcon82]

I agree with above. I have never observed algae growing on healthy tissue on corals. I have seen it on dead spots.

theres no tissue. I was hoping if I got them out of direct light for a month or so they would bounce back. I've heard of others having success doing this but it may be to late.

 

[Dburr1014]

theres no tissue. I was hoping if I got them out of direct light for a month or so they would bounce back. I've heard of others having success doing this but it may be to late.

For them to bounce back, there would have to be tissue.

 

[Jcon82]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to throw them in a frag rack and hope for the best

 

[Waters]

Just remember bleaching and RTN are two totally different things. A bleached coral can 100% come back......a coral with RTN often can not. Algae will not grow on a bleached coral due to the presence of live flesh like everyone stated.

 

[Gtinnel]

Before throwing them out check to make sure there is no tissue left anywhere on the coral. If there is even a small amount of tissue left anywhere on the skeleton it can potentially recover, although if it started to RTN/STN it’s probably a goner.

 

[Rmckoy]

Can you post pictures ?

As long as water chemistry has improved and is now stable
being mostly sps they can be easily fragged

 

[Jcon82]

Can you post pictures ?

As long as water chemistry has improved and is now stable
being mostly sps they can be easily fragged

To my knowledge the water quality has improved. I was using Reef crystals and a miscalibrated refractometer. My nutrients went too low for the high alk so I started bringing the alk down. I've switched to Aqua Forest salt by changing 15% weeky. l want to stop water changes and let alk fall on its own but the corals donw seem to be talking up anything. Teh tank just wants to live at 10dkh now so I'm keeping there and monitoring. I also lowered the lights by 10% and put the sick gorals in the corner (frag rack in the mail).

I have another post on this that goes into great detail. I'm done making chnges and will just ride it out now. I have other tanks to distract me.

Just wanted to know if its a lost cause.

 

[Jcon82]

Can you post pictures ?

As long as water chemistry has improved and is now stable
being mostly sps they can be easily fragged

My reef photography skills are even worse than my husbandry! I'll try to get some posted.

 

[Jcon82]

Before throwing them out check to make sure there is no tissue left anywhere on the coral. If there is even a small amount of tissue left anywhere on the skeleton it can potentially recover, although if it started to RTN/STN it’s probably a goner.

Some of them definitely do still have little bits of flesh and some used to. Its just been a steady decline from an issue that was supposedly corrected weeks ago.

I'm about to order an ICP test to rule out contamination.

 

[Rmckoy]

To my knowledge the water quality has improved. I was using Reef crystals and a miscalibrated refractometer. My nutrients went too low for the high alk so I started bringing the alk down. I've switched to Aqua Forest salt by changing 15% weeky. l want to stop water changes and let alk fall on its own but the corals donw seem to be talking up anything. Teh tank just wants to live at 10dkh now so I'm keeping there and monitoring. I also lowered the lights by 10% and put the sick gorals in the corner (frag rack in the mail).

I have another post on this that goes into great detail. I'm done making chnges and will just ride it out now. I have other tanks to distract me.

Just wanted to know if its a lost cause.

J my y recommendation is to fix one issue at a time .
The salinity being might not help but to balance and stabilize as
Soon as possible is best .
Changing salts , adjusting Alk and increasing nutrients all at the same time is likely the cause .
I would personally maintain Alk where it settles . And slowly increase nutrients
When that’s stable begin to lower alkalinity to its new desired level