HELP, White Birdsnest

[PNW_reefer]

I’ve noticed this white area growing on my birdsnest and can’t quite pinpoint the cause. 54 corner tank, radion g4 light, alk 9.6, calcium 440, magnesium 1380, nitrate 10, phosphate 0.25, ph rises and falls between 7.9-8.1 during the day/night, salinity 1.025, temp 77.


From what I’ve read, phosphate will slow or halt growth, but not cause the white out. Parameters have been stable for weeks. Too much flow? Have an mp40, ranging from 30-40% during the day, down to maybe 20% at night. Dosing the tank with reef energy A/B, and acro power maybe a couple times a week. Otherwise the calcium reactor keeps everything else constant.

I’ve noticed some loss on a few other acro frags as well. Any help is appreciated!

 

[vegamedic]

Are the white areas shadowed by the rest of the coral when the light is on?

 

[PNW_reefer]

Are the white areas shadowed by the rest of the coral when the light is on?

Some are yes, but I noticed some of the ends are white too. Not just the tips

 

[29bonsaireef]

Anytime you see white tissue on corals. It is best to assume something is not staying stable in the system and triple or quadruple check everything. Doesn't look like a flow issue, and I would probably rule out lighting, although its a possibility. Looks like a water quality issue imo.

 

[PNW_reefer]

Anytime you see white tissue on corals. It is best to assume something is not staying stable in the system and triple or quadruple check everything. Doesn't look like a flow issue, and I would probably rule out lighting, although its a possibility. Looks like a water quality issue imo.

Could it just be the phosphate at 0.25? I check alk every other day, but with my new calc reactor it’s been solid at 9.6 and calcium at 440 for weeks now. I’ve had to dose magnesium on occasion. Each time I check, the parameters look good. So frustrating! I already lost another pink birdsnest that was about twice that size in maybe a week. Could it be a pest of some kind?

 

[29bonsaireef]

I would say yes, the high phosphates could potentially be causing this. I have had all sorts of pests and never one that bothered birds nest, not to say there isn't some that do.

 

[Hersheyb]

.25 phosphate should b ok... what about ur nitrates? if parameter fluctuation is minimal might want to take a look at pest... red bugs n etc. Ur tank might be nutrient deprive if nitrate are non existent.

I had an Stn episode a few years back. My acros started to stn one by one slowly.. parameters were in check... got a magnifying lens and boom red bugs! A dose of interceptors and that took care of it.

 

[PNW_reefer]

.25 phosphate should b ok... what about ur nitrates? if parameter fluctuation is minimal might want to take a look at pest... red bugs n etc. Ur tank might be nutrient deprive if nitrate are non existent.

I had an Stn episode a few years back. My acros started to stn one by one slowly.. parameters were in check... got a magnifying lens and boom red bugs! A dose of interceptors and that took care of it.

I just fragged apart the birdsnest, didn’t see anything moving in the water after I was finished. But the coral dust was red, looked at it for a while ha. Nitrate is 10. What is interceptors?

 

[AdamNC]

Interceptor is the same stuff used for dogs to kill fleas. Works basically on any invert/arachnid.

 

[cmcoker]

Interceptor is the same stuff used for dogs to kill fleas. Works basically on any invert/arachnid.

just fyi, it doesn't kill fleas. It prevents heartworm and treats hookworms, roundworms and whipworms.

 

[AdamNC]

just fyi, it doesn't kill fleas. It prevents heartworm and treats hookworms, roundworms and whipworms.

Ah yea doh, sorry bout that, forgot.

 

[Hersheyb]

I don’t think red bugs go after birdnest I think acros only, not 100% sure. The red bugs are really really small almost invisible to the naked eyes. You will definitely need a magnifying glass. Do a search on red bugs.