Acro Death,,,But Why?

[GreyHawk1968]

Here is whats left of my Tri Color Acro. It was doing great and growing well until a few days ago. Then I noticed the brown base color turing green and the polyps were not extending. At that point I did what I hate to do, I cut it up to save the ends of one of the brances(hopefully). I now have four small frags attached to a large rock hoping it will survive. Upon investigating it I cut the trunk of it open and when I did I almost got sick from the scent.
What is the red coloration in the base piece?
If anyone has a clue please let me know if it was something I could have prevented or was it my own stupidity that made me have to tear up a beautiful piece of coral.

 

[Kubi]

Did you try to did that coral in TMPCC?. I do not know what the red coloration is, but it almost looks like AEFW on the outer side of the acro.If you did not I would still try and dip it in iodine or TPMCC to see if anything comes off it

 

[boydx6]

I would post this on the main reefcentral forum! Get nationwide visibility.

 

[GreyHawk1968]

I did there too.

 

[GreyHawk1968]

TPMCC and AEFW?
I lost .
LOL

 

[Kubi]

TPMCC = Tropic Marine Pro Coral Cure
AEFW = Acro eating flat worms

 

[ichthyman]

Notice the green ring around the fracture point? This is Ostreobium or some other similar bioerosive green algae. These algae can live beneath the tissue of the corals and if environmental conditions are less than optimum it will spread. As the algae grows it bores through calcium carbonate and tissue leaving behind the pale green tint. Bioerosive algae are present in just about anything that contains calcium carbonate in the ocean, from sediment to coral skeletons. These types of algae seem to be able to be held back by a healthy coral’s immune system. However, in strongly illuminated nutrient rich environments these algae can easily take down a coral because of their rapid grow.

 

[GreyHawk1968]

I inspected it with a mag glass . DIdn't see any signs .
I did a dip with iodine while the glue was setting on the frags.. Didn't see anything come off in the bowl or after I put them back in tank.
That red color with the scent is whats baffeling me.

 

[GreyHawk1968]

So I'm running a nutrient rich enviroment?
Time to up the water changes and cut back on feeding I guess.

 

[GreyHawk1968]

ok. did 15 gal water change this morning and cleaned out everything that could possibly produce nitrate. Cept live rock of course.
Another water change tonight and we will see. The frags are actually showing good signs . Polyps extended and some color.
Mental note to self. Next tank ,,no sand. Think I'm going barebottom.