Fallen Phoenix fell after lugols dip

[Tham121988]

So I purchased a beautiful fallen phoenix frag during the unique corals live sale. At first the polyp extension was crazy and it looked really nice. Just over the last week or so I feel like the extension of the polyps were not as strong (although there were still plenty of polyps extended). It just wasn't as it originally was. So I thought the best course of action would to do a lugols dip which I did. The dip was only 5 minutes and when I pulled it out to rinse off, all the flesh had melted away and all the polyps are gone now. I am blown away that it did this. I've used it for so many coral without any negative side effects. In fact, this coral was originally dipped in lugols when I received it and it was fine. So what caused it to disintegrate so quick? Like I said, it had plenty of polyps out right before I did the dip and now its toast. My tank is mature and has been set up for quite some time. Parameters are below.

Kessil a160
Nitrate = ~0-5 ppm
Nitrite = ~0ppm
Phosphate = 0-.25ppm
Ammonia = 0 ppm
kH = 9
pH = 8.3
Salinity = 1.025
Temp = 76.3
Calcium = 420

I do not dose anything except reef roids and feeding the fish brine shrimp etc.

All my other corals are A Ok. Thanks for any insight into this.​

 

[Mykesocalreef]

What type of coral is it?

 

[Tham121988]

What type of coral is it?

SPS acro milli

 

[Mykesocalreef]

I found it. I’ve read around that sometimes SPS can be sensitive to iodine overdose.

 

[Tham121988]

I found it. I’ve read around that sometimes SPS can be sensitive to iodine overdose.

That's weird, because I used half of the recommended amount. >.<

 

[Mykesocalreef]

That's weird, because I used half of the recommended amount. >.<

Like I said I read it somewhere on R2R not sure how accurate it is. Could be coincidental that it happened right after, sorry for the loss.

 

[Tham121988]

Like I said I read it somewhere on R2R not sure how accurate it is. Could be coincidental that it happened right after, sorry for the loss.

That's too bad Thank you for the information. I appreciate it.

 

[Mykesocalreef]

As far as other SPS in your tank do you have any? If so how are they looking?

 

[Tham121988]

As far as other SPS in your tank do you have any? If so how are they looking?

I do.

I have another acro, 3 montiporas, a birdsnest, and a couple of more sps. They are all doing fantastic. The montiporas are exploding in growth. The birdsnest is doing quite well as well.

 

[Mykesocalreef]

How’s the other acros polyp extension? Maybe the Phoenix was adjusting to your parameters/lighting/flow? I’m glad to hear your other pieces are doing great.

 

[Tham121988]

How’s the other acros polyp extension? Maybe the Phoenix was adjusting to your parameters/lighting/flow? I’m glad to hear your other pieces are doing great.

I haven't seen any polyp extension on the other acro, but it isn't a milli so I don't believe it is very frilly or whatnot. It is possible that it was adjusting and I should have been a little more patient before I did a dip. The extension just seemed like it was becoming less and less each week. The only thing I did differently is add a new powerhead to increase the flow a little. That is my only adjustment.

 

[Mykesocalreef]

Good old SPS for ya. I’ve learned to be patient if things look a little funny. Especially on newly added frags.

 

[Tham121988]

Good old SPS for ya. I’ve learned to be patient if things look a little funny. Especially on newly added frags.

Certainly learned the hard way here! And of course its one of the more expensive coral frags in my tank and absolutely loved the look of it. Will have to try to get another one similar in the future that isn't so expensive in case I toast it somehow again.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Its always the nice ones that up and die for no reason.

 

[zack801]

I’d suggest using Bayer instead of lugols to dip sps. It’s way more gentle and more effective at killing any pests that might be on it.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

Iodine is not a good for using as a dip. It's what melted the flesh off the coral. Also polyp extension is not something to judge coral health by. Every tanks different and polyps will extend differently in each tank. Healthy growing colonies can show no polyp extension in some tanks.

 

[Tham121988]

Iodine is not a good for using as a dip. It's what melted the flesh off the coral. Also polyp extension is not something to judge coral health by. Every tanks different and polyps will extend differently in each tank. Healthy growing colonies can show no polyp extension in some tanks.

Thank you for the information. I certainly didn't know that it would do that. Live and learn.

 

[jda]

We used to use Lugols a lot because there was nothing else. It can be harsh. Typically speaking, if a coral was healthy, then it would be OK, but if it was stressed at all, then it was a goner. It was not a good idea to dip twice in a short period of time.

Lugols can be quite safe with non-SPS, so sometimes you might read some posts about success, but they might be dipping softies and other stuff.

Bayer is way more gentle than Lugols.

 

[Fishfinder]

I would not use polyp extension as a sole indicator for dipping. It could be adjusting to your tank or even the additional powerhead. You could have a nipping fish, or lighting difference.

Use growth, encrusting, and, flesh as indicators of health