Rust growth killing coral

[Riphter]

I’m talking about the zoa, they look like that when you have undetectable nutrients. I’m trying to help you dude, you don’t need to get snappy.

they gave me numbers the phos was less then 1 (can’t remember exactly) and nitrates were 0. I have algae in the sump as well. Which is eating all the nitrates I’m hoping.

 

[Copingwithpods]

I have api but the reef store uses salfert. They told me last time that my parameters were excellent.

I'd be weary of that lfs store and api isn't up for this kind of snuff. Example, my api tests say my po4 is 0-unditectable. This would be a cause for concern but my Hanna says 0.08, apart from knowing the true numbers we are all at a loss. If your nutrients are truly tanked it could very well be dinos picking off the weakened corals.

For future reference when an lfs store says "hey your parameters look great" your immediate follow up should be "well what were they? "

 

[NS Mike D]

I’m talking about the zoa, they look like that when you have undetectable nutrients. I’m trying to help you dude, you don’t need to get snappy.

It's all good. We asked the specifics before making conclusions and it seems we are onto an issue with nutrients. may not be the issue or it may be two separate issues.

 

[Riphter]

I'd be weary of that lfs store and api isn't up for this kind of snuff. Example, my api tests say my po4 is 0-unditectable. This would be a cause for concern but my Hanna says 0.08, apart from knowing the true numbers we are all at a loss. If your nutrients are truly tanked it could very well be dinos picking off the weakened corals.

For future reference when an lfs store says "hey your parameters look great" your immediate follow up should be "well what were they? "

I feed the corals though. I add macro and micro nutrients twice weekly. I posted some other zoas in the tank for comparison. I use Kent nano reef for this tank. It was working great until this happened. I’d more then willingto increase the frequency of dosing if the consensus is low nutes.

 

[Copingwithpods]

I feed the corals though. I add macro and micro nutrients twice weekly. I posted some other zoas in the tank for comparison. I use Kent nano reef for this tank. It was working great until this happened. I’d more then willingto increase the frequency of dosing if the consensus is low nutes.

Many people here treat their tanks like a land fill and still have low nutrients because of their export game. If your nitrates are zero than you are in the danger zone for dinos.

 

[NS Mike D]

they gave me numbers the phos was less then 1 (can’t remember exactly) and nitrates were 0. I have algae in the sump as well. Which is eating all the nitrates I’m hoping.

Ok. Lets start here and see if @ReefSquad can help out. dinos are a classic unintended consequence of bottoming out the nutrients (I think NO3 is at zero is where we have dinos problems). Or is can by cyano ( common with carbon dosing and NO3 drops way faster than PO4). And since it looks like neither of what Ive seen, I am punting.

You may need to get a microscope and post a pic in the dino thread. Different strains have different solutions

 

[NS Mike D]

I feed the corals though. I add macro and micro nutrients twice weekly. I posted some other zoas in the tank for comparison. I use Kent nano reef for this tank. It was working great until this happened. I’d more then willingto increase the frequency of dosing if the consensus is low nutes.

not all corals can uptake coal food.

 

[NS Mike D]

Many people here treat their tanks like a land fill and still have low nutrients because of their export game. If your nitrates are zero than you are in the danger zone for dinos.

+1. Even if it's not related to your rust algae/bacteria. zero nitrates tanks often end up in the dino thread.

you have a nano tank. It should be easy peasy with just water changes,


Can we go back a number or posts? You said RO water but not rodi. can you confirm that it is rodi water you are using. let's rule out there isn't something getting passed the ro for which isn't being tested.

 

[AmaleeC]

Does the “rust” come right off the rocks or is it strongly attached?

I agree that we shouldn’t rule out cyano, thats not to say you’re wrong. But theres just so many different strains of different kinds of bacteria && if we want to find answers - we should really consider everything..

Im FAR expert, but have you tried stopping everything? No dosing, no feeding corals, and feeding the fish as little as possible. Sometimes when we feed our corals, we also feed all these unwanted “guests” in our tank. I’m sure you already have but I personally would take as much of the rust off as much I can using manual removal and then do a water change. Afterwards, I’d put in my UV Sterilizer and run some fresh carbon. It’s my solution to everything, and definitely not “expert level” but it’s the best I have to offer. I really hope you’re not discouraged by this issue, and are able to find some answers! Having unwanted “guests” sucks, but there is no better feeling than getting rid of them Happy reefing!

 

[Riphter]

The rust does not come off with just a siphonOr agitation. It does come off with a soft toothbrush or paint brush. I use ro water. Not rodi. I’ve used only ro for years on my other tank/ tanks and never had a problem like this.

 

[NS Mike D]

The rust does not come off with just a siphonOr agitation. It does come off with a soft toothbrush or paint brush. I use ro water. Not rodi. I’ve used only ro for years on my other tank/ tanks and never had a problem like this.

the DI removes that what the other units miss. without a positive ID on your friends or is it fiends, we are just guessing ruling stuff out.

While RO might very well work, and for years, you don't know for sure if something new in the tap is coming through that wasn't there before. if you already have an RO unit, you may be able to add a DI cartridge and a TDS meter at little cost and lots of peace of mind.

 

[LegendaryCG]

I’ll tell you right now if you have undetectable phosphates that’s a problem. You need some or your coral will simply die.

 

[Shirak]

Whenever I hear 'brown rust' my first thought is diatoms. I have seen diatoms so thick they will smother stuff.. my guess is silicates in the RO water.

+1 for upping the nitrates and phosphates too

 

[Copingwithpods]

+

Whenever I hear 'brown rust' my first thought is diatoms. I have seen diatoms so thick they will smother stuff.. my guess is silicates in the RO water.

for upping the nitrates and phosphates too

+1 not to be ruled out

 

[Riphter]

Alright. It has been awhile now and I’ve removed all sources of silica. The tank water tests 0 on the low range silica test. My ro/di water also tests 0 on low range. I am still battling this brown growth. It only affects polyps. It is now growing on my clove polyps. I can’t figure out what is causing this. I also can’t find anything online. I cleaned it off of the clove polyps and now they look injured. There fully extended but not happy. That was last Wednesday. It’s now growing back. I don’t think they will survive another cleaning but won’t survive if I let this stuff grow over them. I did successfully stop it from growing on my eagle eye zoas. But that required a peroxide dip and an iodine dip. I’m not sure if I can dip cloves in peroxide. Here is a picture of the original zoas I posted. There already double the size and a handful of new heads. Also a picture of the cloves. You can see the brown stuff growing near the base of the polyps. I haven’t stocked this tank really because of this issue. I’m hoping someone might have more information. Also... I’ve been able to keep my nitrates at around 5 or so and phosphate at around .15 to .25


Salinity: .025
Cal: 420
Mag: 1200
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: ~5
PO4: >.25

 

[BrandonS]

Wonder if vibrant would out compete this stuff? Go slow on it though.

 

[Riphter]

I’ll order a bottle. I’m willing to try anything at this point. Will it harm Pom Pom algae?

 

[BrandonS]

I’ll order a bottle. I’m willing to try anything at this point. Will it harm Pom Pom algae?

It will go after most algae. I have heard it leaves complex macros Alone but I had it kill my chaeto. I would follow directions to the letter as over dosing can put a hurting on some coral in some cases.

 

[BrandonS]

BRS did a good video about it

 

[BrandonS]

Also because it hasn't been said yet. I would run magnesium at closer to 1350 and alk more at 8 to 9. Go slow if you adjust. Also what temp do you run your tank. Some have suggested that diatoms and other related stuff does better at cooler temps and raising temp slowly to around 80ish can help