New sinularia not happy, possible infection?

[Gexx]

Hi all,

Attached are some photos of the green sinularia that i recently acquired (8/15/17). There were two frags on the rock, i seperated them and one has since gone necrotic (i have fragged it and am hoping for the best). The pictured sinularia is showing some odd, to me, morphology at the base. All other inhabitants are normal an happy. The necrotic sinularia i believe i squished when i tried to remove it from its rock, maybe that is what is happening here?

I am currently battling dinos and doing frequent water changes of 1 gal (10 gallon water volume on tank). I run GFO, purigen, phosguard and skim to combat the dinos.

I also dose 1ml of 3% H2O2 in the evening and algaefix every 3 days. I have halimeda, gracilaria, red razor and Hylamenia growing in the DT (but not doing great). I have had zero negative effects of both additives on all other inhabitants.

I am currently testing water and will post parameters when done.

I realize Sinularia, and all leathers, take some time to acclimate. However, this is one of my favorites and want to give it the best chance of survival. I am being a bit paranoid as the other frag went necrotic (again, could have been my fault).

The Sinularia has not opened since I put it in the tank. It is lower in the tank and receiving moderate, yet indirect, flow.

Inhabitants:
2 occelaris clowns
Various zoanthids
Umbrella leather (not close to Sinularia)
Fuzzy mushroom
Encrusting montipora
Various snails as CUC

Thank you for your time, i realize this is a bit long winded!

 

[Gexx]

I also did a Seachem Reef dip prior to addition

 

[Gexx]

Parameters
pH: 8.2
dKh: 11
Salinity: 1.026
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: .2ppm
Nitrate: 10ppm

Fish are fed every other day, only as much as they can eat. There is very little excess. I believe the nitrite is steming from the dying dinofalgellites. 10ppm nitrates doesnt seem abnormal for a softy dominated tank...

 

[Gexx]

Bump

 

[Gexx]

It appears that the base is sluffing off, exposing a stringy structure that i assume helps the coral remain rigid. Any ideas on how to frag for best survival chances?

 

[Gexx]

I have fragged it into two pieces as the base rotted and it fell. Input would be greatly appreciated. I will not be dosing hydrogen peroxide or algae fix until the coral is better or dead, in case that stresses it

 

[norfolkgarden]

Wish I had some advice beyond a seperate container of tank water and a clean sharp razor blade (and Safety Goggles!)
for fragging. It looks like a beautiful coral.

Got ours as a loose deflated 3/4" piece and set it in a depression in the live rock and let it be itself.

 

[Gexx]

Since ive fragged it i have seen no more necrosis/disentigration. However, i have also seen no improvement (who would really be happy one day after being cut up though??)

 

[Daddy-o]

Did you cut your frag from the base or up a bit. We cut a lot of Sinulara for fragging and always cut a branch and leave the base alone. The biggest issue we have is the frag releasing from the plug and floating away.
Cheers! Mark

 

[norfolkgarden]

Ours take up to 3 months to really settle in and expand completely and start growing well.

 

[norfolkgarden]

The three quarter inch lump of snot I was telling you about earlier. This is 6 months later

 

[norfolkgarden]

Looks like it's time to clean the glass....

This is a current acquisition, a month old.
Still hating life and thinking about whether it's going to get bigger or not.