how to save this birdsnest?

[JohnMzreef]

I have this frag of a fine, blue birdsnest. The tips are very sharp and seem to have caught a red/brown algae which has spread down the coral. I have tried blasting the frag with a turkey baster. I tried dipping for 10 minutes in 25% peroxide, 75% tank water. Does anyone have a technique for saving this frag? The rest of my corals are doing well and I do not otherwise have a nuisance algae problem (beside a little bit of bubble algae).

 

[MnFish1]

No offense - is there evidence that dipping anything with 25% peroxide does anything? (maybe it does??). But could it have done harm? (im not being sarcastic - I havent heard this one). Also - blasting anything - can hurt it - especially with a turkey baster or syringe. I might have cut those tips off - and tried to figure out what caused the problem. Again - im not trying to rub salt into your wounds. You asked. The thing I do when this happens is: 1. Figure out why the tips are xxxxx. 2. Trim the diseased tips.

 

[JohnMzreef]

Again - im not trying to rub salt into your wounds. You asked.

Dun worry... not everyone is a snowflake! And its not a wound, just a lil frag.

is there evidence that dipping anything with 25% peroxide does anything?

Sure! Its common practice especially for zoanthid frags with green hair or film algae. I had never tried it on sps though. It seems to have had a partial effect but alas no magic.
I think I will try it down on the sand bed where my critters can get at it.

 

[MnFish1]

Dun worry... not everyone is a snowflake! And its not a wound, just a lil frag.

Sure! Its common practice especially for zoanthid frags with green hair or film algae. I had never tried it on sps though. It seems to have had a partial effect but alas no magic.
I think I will try it down on the sand bed where my critters can get at it.

BTW - I think I misunderstood. I thought you literally meant '25% hydrogen peroxide' - which would be super strong. I now assume you meant diluted 3% Hydrogen peroxide 1:4? Hydrogen peroxide comes in several strengths:

• Household peroxide is sold in brown bottles in drugstores and supermarkets. It contains 3 percent hydrogen peroxide.
• Hair bleach is about 6 to 10% hydrogen peroxide.
• "Food grade" hydrogen peroxide is 35%. Despite its name, "food grade" hydrogen peroxide should never be taken internally, unless it is extremely dilute.

 

[thejuice24]

IMO this coral looks really unhealthy (pale\stn possible bite marks) not taking into account the Alage. You sure the alage isn't just covering the dead parts of the coral and something else is wrong with it?

 

[LiveWire]

Have you tried to blow off the algae with a turkey baster or does it seem like the Algae is embedded into the skeleton of the coral?
Its possible you may have to frag this coral up in order to save it.

 

[JohnMzreef]

You sure the alage isn't just covering the dead parts of the coral and something

I think this is it.. The frag is in the highest flow, highest light position in my tank which I assumed it would like. I think I may have been wrong about that. I am moving it down. Maybe my crabs and snails can clean it a bit.. but I will probably frag it up.

 

[thejuice24]

I think this is it.. The frag is in the highest flow, highest light position in my tank which I assumed it would like. I think I may have been wrong about that. I am moving it down. Maybe my crabs and snails can clean it a bit.. but I will probably frag it up.

Also I know you don’t want to here this one either but what are your parameters?

Did you accumulate the coral to that spot?

Bird nest is suppose to be an easy SPS, but ask some who’s had a colony go up in smoke for no apparent reason overnight... How easy is it again? Shoulder Shrugs.....

Nice Monti in the backdrop of the photo also!

 

[JohnMzreef]

Happy to report that (after placing the frag at the bottom of the tank) I came home last night to find a blue leg hermit absolutely going to town on this frag. It looks so much better. I will report back in a couple of weeks as to whether the coral lives.

 

[JohnMzreef]

Happy to report that the coral is doing quite well although its difficult to photograph in its new place. Lower tips appear to be growing. Upper tips still have very slight algae. Especially persistent are some pale threads that I might call hair algae if it were green and thicker. Maybe it is dead hair algae - I don't know. I have it in a few other places too and although unsightly, it doesn't really spread.
Anyhow, it seems like just moving the frag made a big difference. I hope this thread helps someone.

 

[thejuice24]

Glad to hear it!!!