What Would You Do????

[duke4130]

So I finally picked up the Wolverine from a lfs yesterday. (yes I was legit, I made a couple of calls and it was confirmed that the LFS had it).... I get home and dip it like no other then put it in the tank... I started to see a little polyp extension as time passed but this morning at 3:30am I shine the light in the tank and I see that it is starting to RTN. The only SPS that I have ever lost in this system.... It pained me to do it but I tossed it I the trash.. Just throwing money in the trash.... I believe that it is better not to take any chances and cut your losses then trying to save a piece and a put the rest of your livestock at risk..... I know we have all been there but what would you have done in that situation????

 

[mrcoffee2]

I would have fragged it off and placed it in a QT tank. I probably would have had it in the QT tank already though.

 

[-Logzor]

Well that stinks! Sometimes this just happens, bad luck even. I typically like to QT my corals in another system, in some cases I won't even dip them right away, especially if it's an expensive piece! In your case, rather than dip you can glue the coral really close to the front glass for daily observation. Even if there is a pest on the coral, it won't likely spread throughout the system immediately, unless it RTN's in the aquarium. Sometimes the dips are just too much for the corals going into a new system. It's best to avoid immediate dips in my experience.

In regards to pests, you're mainly concerned about AEFW. Red bugs can be easily treated within the system. Inspect the coral very closely for eggs or bite marks of the AEFW. If the coral has these then it definitely has AEFW and should not be placed in the system. Even if you dip a coral with AEFW you're not going to get them all on the first dip without killing the coral, not to mention if there are eggs. In rare cases a coral will have baby AEFW with no visible signs of infestation. In these cases it can take up to 2 week for signs of their presence. These will most likely not immediately spread to other corals during this time period.

So, a single dip then placing into the system doesn't do much for established AEFW, which is the biggest concern, so why dip right away at all and risk killing the coral?

I think you made the right decision, when small frags RTN they are goners for the most part. I highly doubt you could have saved it.

 

[duke4130]

I would have fragged it off and placed it in a QT tank. I probably would have had it in the QT tank already though.

Yea now that I am getting into SPS again I am thinking of setting up a qt tank. Better to have one for SPS especially with all the little devils that come in on them

 

[duke4130]

Well that stinks! Sometimes this just happens, bad luck even. I typically like to QT my corals in another system, in some cases I won't even dip them right away, especially if it's an expensive piece! In your case, rather than dip you can glue the coral really close to the front glass for daily observation. Even if there is a pest on the coral, it won't likely spread throughout the system immediately, unless it RTN's in the aquarium. Sometimes the dips are just too much for the corals going into a new system. It's best to avoid immediate dips in my experience.

I think you made the right decision, when small frags RTN they are goners for the most part. I highly doubt you could have saved it.

Yea that is what I was thinking too!!!

 

[-Logzor]

Yea now that I am getting into SPS again I am thinking of setting up a qt tank. Better to have one for SPS especially with all the little devils that come in on them

One that note I find it difficult to QT SPS unless your have a mirroring system that is well established. Sometimes their health degrades because the QT system is often not up to par in light or water quality.

 

[duke4130]

One that note I find it difficult to QT SPS unless your have a mirroring system that is well established. Sometimes their health degrades because the QT system is often not up to par in light or water quality.

Yea that is the other thing... Making an investment to mirror the DT. It will be costly!!!!

 

[-Logzor]

Yea that is the other thing... Making an investment to mirror the DT. It will be costly!!!!

In my opinion the best middle ground in your situation is close observation of the frag and inspecting it really well. At the most a really weak dip. Glue right up on the glass and observe it every day with a flashlight. Once it is established a week or two then apply a normal dip.

 

[duke4130]

In my opinion the best middle ground in your situation is close observation of the frag and inspecting it really well. At the most a really weak dip. Glue right up on the glass and observe it every day with a flashlight. Once it is established a week or two then apply a normal dip.

To be honest the frag didn't look to great when I saw it in the shop.... I did a pretty aggressive dip on it as well.. I should have known better but my excitement of getting the wolverine got ahead of me....LOL.... Luckily a good friend up north has an original wolverine that he will be sending down... So not all hope is lost...LOL

 

[pirate2876]

Ouch, that is quite a loss. Unfortunately, I know about that kind of loss as well. Did you get this at SC? Maybe ask Dan about it? He is usually really good about taking care of people.

 

[rovster]

As far as I know, RTN is not contagious and I wouldn't have thrown it out. I would have fragged it and tried to save a nub at least. That said, when RTN starts it's like 90% chance there is nothing you can do to stop it.

 

[Rob&Gab]

Yea now that I am getting into SPS again I am thinking of setting up a qt tank. Better to have one for SPS especially with all the little devils that come in on them

always cut the base, inless a known or person you always deal with.

 

[tonymission]

What did you use to dip?

 

[hatfielj]

In my experience, its best to place in the QT first BEFORE dipping it. That gives the frag a chance to acclimate to your water before going through the stress of a dip. But, don't sweat it too much man. I've lost a lot in the past. You'll make up for it.

 

[JBNY]

When they RTN that quickly there is nothing much you can do. I generally take new frags and leave them out of the water for about 3-4 minutes so they get a little slime on them, then dip them, then put them in a frag tank and leave them there for a few weeks till they go in the main display.