Red Planet RTN! HELP!

[immafishguy]

Hows it going guys,
Recently I noticed that my large colony of red planet started RTNing at the base; I've had the colony for over a 2 months, and it just seems to be degrading.. All of my parameters are within range except my mag which wont rise for some reason.(its at 1200) The system is about 110-120 gallons and I did about 800ml manual dose of brightwell in a day with constant testing... still didn't go up. I'm using a two part that has the mag buffer in the calcium additive. I spoke with the the manufacturer and they told me that because the calcium is saturated with mag, the calcium ions would be surrounded my mag ions to prevent it from being able to precipitate out with the alk. Could this be the problem? If so, any suggestions to get the mag up?

Also, there is a green toadstool leather next to the colony where it is RTNing. Is it possible that it is causing it to RTN? it is about an inch or two away (I already moved it just in case).

The base isn't getting as much flow as the rest of the colony either, does that cause RTN?

The other problem I'm having is that the polyp extension is not that great either. It just seems to be unhappy more and more everyday. The up side however is that it is coloring up great! not really sure what to do.

in case it helps, here are the rest of my parameters:

ALK: 8.0
CA:430
MAG:1200
Nitrate: 0.2-0.5
Phosphate:0.00
Salinity: 1.025
Temp: 77-78
the system has run with these exact numbers for about 3 months. Everything else is doing great getting great polyp extension and growth. just not this one colony for some reason..

Thanks for any help!!

 

[immafishguy]

Here's a pic of the whole colony

 

[immafishguy]

Here's a few pics of the rest of the tank for comparison. (Shot under 7k)

 

[blacktippr]

I would bump nitrates to 1ppm and phosphates to .02

 

[hybridazn]

Any new additions lately? notice anything picking on the coral? Doesn't really look like rtn to me.

 

[120reefkeeper]

Any recent alkalinity spikes??

 

[immafishguy]

I would bump nitrates to 1ppm and phosphates to .02

Can't I run bio pellets, if phosphate or nitrate are present, they get taken up

 

[blacktippr]

Can't I run bio pellets, if phosphate or nitrate are present, they get taken up

Reduce the amount of pellets slightly and see what happens.

 

[immafishguy]

Any new additions lately? notice anything picking on the coral? Doesn't really look like rtn to me.

The pink acro in the first pic is new (about a week). But fish wise, no new additions. I have all tangs so far. Also, I blew the dying flesh off with a turkey baster... that's how I found out it was rtning

 

[immafishguy]

Any recent alkalinity spikes??

No spikes, only slight variances when I added new corals

 

[immafishguy]

Reduce the amount of pellets slightly and see what happens.

I'm using dr tims bio pellets. They work pretty much regardless of quantity

 

[120reefkeeper]

Your system sounds like it might be to clean. When running UNLS you want to drop your alkalinity down from about 6.5 to 8 at the top. Also I like the suggestion of bumping up the nitrate a little . It's a tough balance but you can starve out your corals. I would also feed heavier. This is exactly what I have to do with my system. [emoji4]

 

[george1381]

Leathers do secrete a slime that could harm sps. I personally don't like the idea of keep the two in the same tank

 

[george1381]

I carbon dose and I have issues with tip burn when Alk is above 8.0

 

[immafishguy]

Your system sounds like it might be to clean. When running UNLS you want to drop your alkalinity down from about 6.5 to 8 at the top. Also I like the suggestion of bumping up the nitrate a little . It's a tough balance but you can starve out your corals. I would also feed heavier. This is exactly what I have to do with my system. [emoji4]

I feed about 50mls of coral food a day and put 8 sheets of nori for my tangs a day, along with a 3x3 flat of pe mysis(unrinsed) not sure how much I can feed haha

 

[FarmerTy]

This screams pest to me. Have you tried dipping the colony in Bayer?

 

[immafishguy]

This screams pest to me. Have you tried dipping the colony in Bayer?

Dipped the entire colony before it went in. I also chopped the base and re mounted it. The only thing that was on any of be coral in he tank was live coral

 

[FarmerTy]

What did you dip in? How long? If Bayer, did you shake the colony to potentially dislodge any pests?

Also, look for little black, gray, or red bugs on the colony. They tend to survive Bayer and are so small they can be missed.

If not pest, then I would look into your Mg level again. Did you get a 2nd opinion on your Mg result? How old is your kit?

 

[FarmerTy]

I highly doubt it's because of lack of nutrients, euphyllias would feel the effect of that first and yours looks fine.

 

[immafishguy]

What did you dip in? How long? If Bayer, did you shake the colony to potentially dislodge any pests?

Also, look for little black, gray, or red bugs on the colony. They tend to survive Bayer and are so small they can be missed.

If not pest, then I would look into your Mg level again. Did you get a 2nd opinion on your Mg result? How old is your kit?

Dipped it in revive and iodine for 10 minutes, also the colony is home grown. Was in a guys tank for 5 years or so. I don't think it's pests, the tissue was peeling off. There were no bite marks.

I got a few peoples second opinion, they all say that theoretically the low mag should be fine as long as I can maintain stable alk and ca. Test kit is 3 months old. Using salifert