What is going on with our Coral?

[HeinritzReef]

Currently, our colony of Duncan is taking major hit... we have already lost a number of heads...

We have recently lost 2 torches, an entire colony of hammer (like 20+ heads), hydrophora, Favia (1/2 of colony)...

Our parameters (nitrate and phosphate) are high and we are working to get those down. Also magnesium and calcium have been high, also bringing those down slowly. Alk is stable still 8.2, pH is in the 8+ range, temp 78...

Otherwise most coral look amazing in tank (anemones, zoa/paly, birds nest, digi, montis, blastos, gongorians)

What is going on? Is this BJD? We have an angel that picks occasionally, but we can’t decide if she is just capitalizing on a coral that’s already got problems or is the problem herself.

Picture is from 2 weeks ago of colony. 2nd picture is one of the frags. I will post another one today when lights come on. We fragged colony about a month ago and those heads seem to be okay, opening.

 

[Ron Reefman]

#reefsquad

I wish I could help, but I've never seen anything quite like this. I'd guess that something is bothering them, like some kind of pest?

 

[IslandLifeReef]

@HeinritzReef, my guess is that the fish nipping at it is causing most of the issues. Is there any way to separate the two for a while? Since the frag and all other coral are doing well, I wouldn't make any drastic changes just for this one colony. Take you parameter adjustment slowly, i.e., over several months.

 

[nereefpat]

What is going on? Is this BJD? We have an angel that picks occasionally

Those two things are a possibility. I've had trouble the last couple years with my LPS too, including brown jelly.

What are the actual values for alk, nitrates, and phosphates? How long have you had the corals?

 

[45ZoaGarden]

Those two things are a possibility. I've had trouble the last couple years with my LPS too, including brown jelly.

What are the actual values for alk, nitrates, and phosphates? How long have you had the corals?

+1 on what are the numbers? Do you feed the Duncan? How old is the tank?

 

[destro]

I was going to put my bet on alk and calcium swing but then again the photo shows specific heads effected only... so now I moved my bet to something pestering them.

If it was me, I'd frag off those pieces and try to save the rest of the colony.

 

[Phildago]

Currently, our colony of Duncan is taking major hit... we have already lost a number of heads...

We have recently lost 2 torches, an entire colony of hammer (like 20+ heads), hydrophora, Favia (1/2 of colony)...

Our parameters (nitrate and phosphate) are high and we are working to get those down. Also magnesium and calcium have been high, also bringing those down slowly. Alk is stable still 8.2, pH is in the 8+ range, temp 78...

Otherwise most coral look amazing in tank (anemones, zoa/paly, birds nest, digi, montis, blastos, gongorians)

What is going on? Is this BJD? We have an angel that picks occasionally, but we can’t decide if she is just capitalizing on a coral that’s already got problems or is the problem herself.

Picture is from 2 weeks ago of colony. 2nd picture is one of the frags. I will post another one today when lights come on. We fragged colony about a month ago and those heads seem to be okay, opening.

To me, that looks like a hyposaline issue.

 

[Hemmdog]

How high is your mag? I’ve had lps do really strange things when it was over 1700

 

[45ZoaGarden]

How high is your mag? I’ve had lps do really strange things when it was over 1700

1700? Dang that’s high LOL

 

[Hemmdog]

1700? Dang that’s high LOL

lol that was in my first year of reefing. I had a picture of it but I can’t find it

 

[HeinritzReef]

We’ve had this coral for 3 years, it was up to 53 heads.
Our salinity on the apex is 24.9 so within the range...
Mag- 1560
Calcium- 450
Nitrate- 64
Phosphate- 2 (eeek) I know it’s high like really high.. but we typically have high phosphate.
The plan is to remove the majestic angel and rehome... tomorrow evening. We are going to frag this colony tonight in hopes of saving half.
We have a frag system that it can go in temporarily for recovering.
Do you suggest an iodine dip? We have lugols in hand. Last time I did a revive dip... that didn’t go well.

***photos of coral today

 

[GabeM]

We’ve had this coral for 3 years, it was up to 53 heads.
Our salinity on the apex is 24.9 so within the range...
Mag- 1560
Calcium- 450
Nitrate- 64
Phosphate- 2 (eeek) I know it’s high like really high.. but we typically have high phosphate.
The plan is to remove the majestic angel and rehome... tomorrow evening. We are going to frag this colony tonight in hopes of saving half.
We have a frag system that it can go in temporarily for recovering.
Do you suggest an iodine dip? We have lugols in hand. Last time I did a revive dip... that didn’t go well.

***photos of coral today

SG 1.0249 or 24.9ppt ? I am unfamiliar with the apex.

 

[destro]

Our salinity on the apex is 24.9 so within the range...

24.9 would be your salinity PPT if that's off your Apex. That's low!

24.9ppt -> 1.019 sg @ 77°F (25°C). I think most folks keep theirs in the 1.024-1.027 range.

 

[HeinritzReef]

24.9 would be your salinity PPT if that's off your Apex. That's low!

24.9ppt -> 1.019 sg @ 77°F (25°C). I think most folks keep theirs in the 1.024-1.027 range.

Oh good Lord. To be honest, my husband is the tank tester/apex master and I do more of the research. Yes, if it's 1.019 then that is HORRIBLY low.

I just looked back. 34.9 not 24.9, that's me typing on the phone .

 

[destro]

If the salt probe hasn't been calibrated in long time, suggest doing one and wait for reading.

Also, get a second reading from another device to be sure.

Don't start adding salt unless you're positive. If you do start adding salt, increase slowly over time to acclimate your system. Hope this helps.

 

[HeinritzReef]

If the salt probe hasn't been calibrated in long time, suggest doing one and wait for reading.

Also, get a second reading from another device to be sure.

Don't start adding salt unless you're positive. If you do start adding salt, increase slowly over time to acclimate your system. Hope this helps.

We'll recalibrate, and double check. My figure above is wrong.... the real number is 34.9 PPT which is within range. We need to get another measuring tool though like you said to double check.

 

[HeinritzReef]

So fellow reefers... fairly certain this is what happens when phosphates get too high for the system. Keep those phosphates in check.
Thanks for all the help!
The Duncan has been fragged and dipped in lugols solution. Hopefully as we get the phosphates into check then we’ll see some recovery.