Slowly losing frogspawn

Discussion in 'ASAP' started by kstafford003, Jan 24, 2015.

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  1. kstafford003

    kstafford003 Feather Star

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    I thought I figured out why I was having trouble with this guy but it appears I am losing a second polyp.

    Parameters

    Mag: 1200
    Alk: 9.1
    Cal: 400
    PO4: .02
    Salinity: 35 ppt

    About 6 weeks ago I used a bit too much GFO and caused the corals to start bleaching a little. Once I noticed this I pulled the GFO and stopped using it. Now that I no longer have fish in the tank so I haven't been using GFO at all. I am using chaeto in the fuge for nutrient export. The top most polyp on the frogspawn slowly recessed and died over a 3-4 week span. Now another polyp is starting to show the same signs. I am trying to intervene before I lose another polyp. I have had this coral for roughly 6 months and this is the first time it's health has been getting worse.

    The flow is low to moderate. I use a wave maker and the polyps gently rock back and forth. I expect the PAR on the coral is approximately 200-300 maybe more I don't have a meter.

    What do you guys think it could be? I am planning on moving it down to the sand bed for now unless that would be counter productive if it's needing more light.

    Thanks for the help guys!

    Other corals in the tank seem to be doing well, acans, torch, hammer.
     

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  3. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    Bring the mag up to 1350.

    You posted phos, how about nitrates?

    Par and flow sound right so a lower mag level is the only thing that stands out.
     
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  4. kstafford003

    kstafford003 Feather Star

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    My darn nitrates test is all clogged up (Red Sea). I can't get the reagent out for anything.

    I'll start raising the mag. Can that really cause coral death?
     
  5. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    I can not really answer that question definitively, I can see where a chronically low mag might stress a coral and stress eventually leads to disease.

    Perhaps look into dipping the corals. For some reason I always hated dipping Euphyllia but I have heard others have had good success doing so.

    You should bring the mag up a tad anyway at least to NSW level which is 1250. A low mag also contributes to unstable Ca/Alk ratio.

    http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

    Might as well rule it out right?

    Tank looks nice BTW, and I really like branching Euphyllias.
     
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  6. oldfishkeeper

    oldfishkeeper Giant Squid

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    In addition to what Corailline said, I would ask if you target feed them? I think they really benefit from target feeding.
     
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  7. civiccars2003

    civiccars2003 Great Blue Whale

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    I recall you having small bugs on your sps yes? Did you treat your tank with anything? As for the comment about feeding I don't think that matters. I never fed mine.
     
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  9. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    Not that it's your problem,

    But one time my FS was very near the area of my blue sptted watchman Goby.
    I actually witnessed him grabbing the polyps on a head, ripping them off, then spitting them out.
    I moved it higher, no more problems.

    I know that doesn't help.
    I've also seen AEFW in anothers tank slowly eating heads of FS. Believe it or not
     
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  10. DSC reef

    DSC reef Giant Squid

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    I think everyone has great points as what could be the cause. To me, they looked bleached so I'd move them. Also, although euphyllia thrive without direct feeding my frogspawn and hammer look way better since I actually spot feed every head. More color, thicker tentacles and fast growth. Just my two cents though as its debatable.
     
  11. kstafford003

    kstafford003 Feather Star

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    Thanks for the help guys. Busy weekend installing a new sink and trying to instal countertops.

    I went ahead and raised the Mag to 1350. I hadn't been dosing Mag so I'm glad you pointed that out. I will say the overall look of the tank was much better yesterday. Thank you for the compliment.

    I have been target feeding them on and off maybe once every 2-3 weeks or so with mysis. They don't really catch the big pieces so I fiured maybe they were catching some of the smaller pieces. I feed oyster feast twice a week usually as broadcast for the entire tank. I haven't fed anything this week though.

    I still haven't dosed for the bugs. I am waiting for the new CC to come in the mail. My CC's get stolen every 6 months usually so I have a rule of only using the CC online so my bank card isn't stolen. I will be ordering that today actually. Thanks for the reminder.

    Dang. Grumpy watchman goby... I actually sold mine a month back and my tank has been fishless for a while. Good point though. I have lost more than a few zoa frags to the watchman/shrimp combo. They don't just use the coral to cover their hole, they want to cover the coral in sand, turn it upside down and drag in around the tank first. What is AEFW?

    I think I'm going to give it 2 more days with the new Mag level. I really like the location it's in so I really, really want him to stay there. If he isn't going to be happy I'll have to move him though. What do you feed yours?

    Thanks guys for all the help! I raised the mag, I will order and dose the interceptor, and in the mean time if the coral doesn't look better in the next couple days I move it to the sand bed.
     
  12. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    AEFW= Acopora Eating flat worms