Duncan dying I have no idea why!!! help...

[mcpeachy]

I have no idea why my duncan is dying! seeing white skeleton this morning. what should i check first with the water? or should i just do water change?

 

[Irishman]

I have no idea why my duncan is dying! seeing white skeleton this morning. what should i check first with the water? or should i just do water change?

Check all parameters and post what your readings are and what test kits you're using.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

Picture of the duncan will help as well.

 

[mcpeachy]

 

[mcpeachy]

Gonipora has been unhappy for a few days too

Before dosing ph was 7.8 so I dosed and then kept testing...
Dkh 8
Calc 500
Nitrate 2-4 (just turned protein skimmer off because of these numbers)
Phosphate was above O but less than .25

Assumed ammonia and nitrites are 0 as tank is fishless for parasites. Feed mysis, reef roids, reef chili

 

[mcpeachy]

I know some people suggest gluing but I don’t have reef glue. I have that 7000 stuff but that doesn’t cure fast

 

[hyprc]

That really looks like something is picking at it.

As for mounting (won't help if a fish/crab/etc is picking at it), next time you're at the dollar store, stock up on super glue gel.

 

[mcpeachy]

so, i don't have any crabs in my tank anymore except for pom pom crab that i never see. i've seen a bristle worm. i also have maybe one or two hermit crabs. should i get rid of that? i do have a torch that i had just put close to it, but not close enough that the sweepers would have gotten to it. not sure what to think! it was very healthy. i have red shrimp also in that tank and i was feeding the duncan well, so i have heard that some fish might attack coral for the food but no fish in the tank because i'm fallow.

 

[mcpeachy]

i think it grew over the last couple hours...the white spots...so i dont think its being picked on. i think i need to raise my alkalinity? do i use buffer for that? can calcium be too high or trace elements be too high?

 

[Yuri Prigodich]

so, i don't have any crabs in my tank anymore except for pom pom crab that i never see. i've seen a bristle worm. i also have maybe one or two hermit crabs. should i get rid of that? i do have a torch that i had just put close to it, but not close enough that the sweepers would have gotten to it. not sure what to think! it was very healthy. i have red shrimp also in that tank and i was feeding the duncan well, so i have heard that some fish might attack coral for the food but no fish in the tank because i'm fallow.

Might be a bacterial infection. Hard to tell for the pic. But is there any brown slimy substance in the center of it or is that just the tentacle retraction in the center of the polyp?

 

[mcpeachy]

Might be a bacterial infection. Hard to tell for the pic. But is there any brown slimy substance in the center of it or is that just the tentacle retraction in the center of the polyp?

It’s the tentacle. It was super healthy then all the sudden retracted and I tried to lure it with food and some small bits of the head came out but not the full amount

 

[mcpeachy]

I’ve been having issues with cyno for two weeks at least if not a month

 

[sfin52]

an iodine dip woudnt hurt

 

[W1ngz]

You didn't mention your salinity, and what you're measuring with. The calcium is on the high side, that could indicate a over dosing, or high salinity.
+1 on the iodine or coral dip.

 

[W1ngz]

Before dosing ph was 7.8 so I dosed and then kept testing...

Dosed what exactly, and what does it have to do with the pH specifically?

 

[GK3]

I’ve been having issues with cyno for two weeks at least if not a month

While Duncan’s are cool too see, I have always used them as a canary for my reefs. Basically if the water gets to a bad state, the Duncan is going to be the leading indicator. I don’t know of much that is going to affect a Duncan and not other corals except the following:

1. Doesn’t like the flow/light in is current locations
2. Something is specifically picking at it

Since it seems like you’ve ruled out number 2, seems like number could be the issue. Since it’s not glued down, it maybe that it’s moved a little to a spot it doesn’t like. I suggest getting super glue gel (loctite is a good choice) and gluing it. It’s easy, pull the frag and flip it. Expose only the bottom of the coral or frag plug to the air while the rest stays submerged. Put a generous amount of glue on the bottom and stick it to where you want it. Hold for 5-10 seconds and you should be good. I suggest leaving power heads off for 10-15 minutes so it can fully cure.

If all water parameters are good. I’d try glueing and see how that goes. Then you may need a broader water test to see what else is in there.

 

[mcpeachy]

I just remembered I pulled a Mithrax crab out of there 3 days ago. It was close to the Duncan in the rock work and I believe that is when the Duncan started to pull in. But it’s gone so I’m not sure why it would be unhappy and getting worse later?! The head did get pulled in right around that time.

 

[mcpeachy]

So regular super glue is safe to put in a reef with Acropora? That’s the other thing... Acros look ok....?!

 

[LetItReef]

So regular super glue is safe to put in a reef with Acropora? That’s the other thing... Acros look ok....?!

Ingredients "cyanoacrylate"
I buy mine a local Home Depot

 

[hyprc]

i think it grew over the last couple hours...the white spots...so i dont think its being picked on. i think i need to raise my alkalinity? do i use buffer for that? can calcium be too high or trace elements be too high?

Too much of ANYTHING will have negative effects. That's why you should never dose something you can't test for. Aminos are an exception I guess but even then certain products will kick up po4, etc. Cal is high but I wouldn't do much other than regular water changes (no larger than normal). Always dose equal amounts of alk/cal. Keep an eye on your mag as well (it won't fluctuate as much as alk/cal but it's important for maintaining stability in alk/cal - you will have issues with those two if mag gets too low).

Iodine dip is good advice.