Not looking so hot

Adequate · May 30, 2019

I got a blue stag and dallas acro frag on the weekend and they seemed to be doing fine and dandy, until today I noticed that their tips didn't look too good. They still have good polyp extension and colouration but idk if that'll last or if the whole frag is doomed. Any know what is afflicting them?

Blackice615 · May 30, 2019

Did you acclimate them? Mind sharing your params?

Adequate · May 30, 2019

Yeah I drip-acclimated them. I haven't tested params recently, but I know they're typically "good", as unreliable as that sounds. I occasionally test for alk, which somehow rises from 7ish to 10.5 over a week, but none of the corals seem to be bothered.

Whatever param issues there may be should be fixed by weekly 100% WCs (pico after all).

Blackice615 · May 30, 2019

Sound like they're adjusting to your tank. With an upcoming water change or time, they could recover

xxkenny90xx · May 30, 2019

I'm not sure that 100% water changes are a good idea. I personally wouldn't ever do over 40% (I usually do about 20%, just my 2¢). It wouldn't hurt to test parameters as well

Adequate · May 31, 2019

I thought 100% WCs were the standard for very small reef systems, like Brandon429’s?

I do adjust the SG and temperature of new water to match tank water temp.

Luno · May 31, 2019

Adequate said:
I thought 100% WCs were the standard for very small reef systems, like Brandon429’s?

I do adjust the SG and temperature of new water to match tank water temp.

What kind of pico? What size? I don't think I've ever seen a pico with a sps though I haven't seen many of them. Have you successfully had sps in a pico before?

Adequate · May 31, 2019

2 gallons.

Pretty maritza has sps, I’ve seen a few others too with sps.

I started keeping SPS picos around the beginning of this year, and they go pretty well for a while, until small accidents, like ammonia spikes and power outages.

Luno · May 31, 2019

Adequate said:
2 gallons.

Pretty maritza has sps, I’ve seen a few others too with sps.

I started keeping SPS picos around the beginning of this year, and they go pretty well for a while, until small accidents, like ammonia spikes and power outages.

I'll have to have a look for the tank, obviously not ideal for sps to be in a pico. I feel like flow would be an issue as well as stability. I'm sure it can be done though I like to bend the rule of thumb a lot myself but, things like that I look at temp swings and alk swings as your first step

Blackice615 · May 31, 2019

I've seen successful pico tanks but short lived in essence due to sps growing and consuming elements

Adequate · May 31, 2019

Luno said:
I'll have to have a look for the tank, obviously not ideal for sps to be in a pico. I feel like flow would be an issue as well as stability. I'm sure it can be done though I like to bend the rule of thumb a lot myself but, things like that I look at temp swings and alk swings as your first step

My tank setup is a 2 gallon plastic container, 10w heater, LEDs, and a small powerhead that delivers plenty of flow. It's in a room with relatively stable temperatures, the heater probably helps and I monitor temperature anyways with a thermometer. Alk swings upwards somehow, but not drastically.

Blackice615 said:
I've seen successful pico tanks but short lived in essence due to sps growing and consuming elements

Wouldn't a large SPS population just call for more frequent WC's?

Flippers4pups · May 31, 2019

@Adequate, looks like stress from handling/moving. Did you dip your new corals?

Of course, white tips can be a sign of growth, but this may be like I said.

Adequate · May 31, 2019

No I don't dip my corals.

I rlly should tho, might get a bottle of coral dip the next time I go to my LFS

I've fragged the two frags up, in case the whole thing died on me. I'm feeling a bit more optimistic about their survival.