Need help: RTN rapid tissue necrosis

[iunknown]

My Acropora looks like it has rapid tissue necrosis. Or maybe its just bleaching, but I haven't seen a good picture of bleaching to ID it as so. Do you guys recommend that I break off what is left and healthy, frag it, and discard the rest? I don't know if this thing will make through tomorrow. I think big temperature swings and changes in light duration was the cause. The Chalice has the same thing, but I don't know if I can do anything. I have iodine dip coming in the mail, but don't think it will make it in time. Thanks for the help.

 

[pwoller]

I would frag it, dip it in revive and spread out the frags.

 

[seafansar]

Chop it up NOW!!!!! Save what you can or you will lose it by tomorrow. Make sure none of the infected skeleton is on the frags you make or they will just continue to RTN. RTN travels fast, so be quick!

As for the chalice, I'd leave it alone and wait for the dip. Good luck!

 

[macawmagic]

find/solve the problem...my guess would be alkalinity.

 

[Murfman]

I just went through the same thing. Cut as much as you can but make sure you don't get too near the dead part, when you cut. Sacrifice some good flesh to save the rest.

 

[Ian]

I think heat is your culprit...

 

[Dejavu]

I think heat is your culprit...

This was my first guess. Tank parameters would help narrow down the cause.

 

[iunknown]

So I had a quick lesson on Fragging tonight. Got about five different pieces. I hope at least one recovers.
7.15.09
salinity=1.0255
temp=79.3 @ 6pm
ph=8.2@6pm
kh=116-120 = 6.7 dkh
NH3,N02=0
No3<1

Need to get a test kit if I'm going to measure hardness or P04. I'll look into getting a two part additive this weekend, since from what I read the alkalinity is a little low (even with 20% water changes a week). Any recommendations?

 

[Dejavu]

Yes your alk is a bit low. You don't want to raise it too fast. What are you using for ca and alk?

 

[WilD ReeFer]

ya i lost all my sps to a 5.5 alk drop about 2 months ago

good luck man

 

[iunknown]

Not dosing anything right now. I was under the impression that weekly water changes would be sufficient. I will look into getting some b-ionic this weekend.

 

[gilmour01]

check your phosphate levels as well while your at it. ive seen sps bleach with high phosphates, but that looks more like rtn.

 

[Old School Reefer]

Alk swings are a major cause of SPS RTN. Your Alk looks more than a little low, I think it's pretty low. Start raising it slowly and shoot for somewhere between 9-11 and try your hardest to keep it as steady as possible. Even if you can keep it at a steady say 8 or 9 that would be great. Keeping it steady is probably more important than the number itself.

A few years back when I finally added my CA reactor things got stable and my Alk stays around 12. A little high? Maybe, but again better a steady 12 than it swingin all over the place.

FWIW NSW is 9.

Good luck and frag those bad boys up and save what you can.

 

[Old School Reefer]

check your phosphate levels as well while your at it. ive seen sps bleach with high phosphates, but that looks more like rtn.

+1 on the PO4 also.

 

[meangene267]

Clip the good pieces off right away. throw away all dead parts. RTN Sucks!

 

[firsttime]

ALK swing and PO4 are the culprits.

Your alk is low for SPS

Increase alk slowly 10-11DKH should be good- Keep it stable(most imp)

RTN spreads very fast. I lost my 1yr purple tubs birds nest in 30 hrs (I did not realise at that time what RTN was)

 

[iunknown]

So I'm going to start reading up on two-part dosing. Anyone have any good links or resources. Is b-ionic the more popular way to go? 20 gallon tank.

 

[Old School Reefer]

So I'm going to start reading up on two-part dosing. Anyone have any good links or resources. Is b-ionic the more popular way to go? 20 gallon tank.

I would consider a nano CA reactor for a 20g tank. A much easier way to keep things your CA and Alk in check.

It may be a little expensive at first but well worth the investment.

 

[iunknown]

Probably something I would look into down the road since I have all the CO2 equipment already from my old planted tank. So I guess my newbie question would be if this supplies calcium, do you dose carbonate alkalinity?

 

[Old School Reefer]

Probably something I would look into down the road since I have all the CO2 equipment already from my old planted tank. So I guess my newbie question would be if this supplies calcium, do you dose carbonate alkalinity?

No, you get your CA and Alk to where you want it and use the reactor setup to maintain. Regular testing is a must of course.