causes of rtn

[Kremis]

I am pretty frustrated right now. I have been growing out these birdsnest colonies for years, waiting for them to get big. A few months ago, one of them RTNd, along with a smaller green birdsnest frag next to it. A few weeks ago, my ponape birdsnest started STNing. It stopped after it about halfway died. THen, yesterday my bird of paradise RTN'd. These were all colonies that I have been growing out for years, and all were huge. I have acros too, and they were fine. THe only birdsnest I have left is my green birdsnest, which is massive. I really hope it does not die. I checked all levels, everything is ok. I am thinking my alk test kit might be a bit old, and am looking into getting a new one. The whole time, my chalices, euphyllias, zoas, anemones, etc are all doing great. Everything BUT the birdsnest are doing fine. Anyone have any clues why this might happen?

 

[mcgyvr]

For the most part we really don't know...

 

[reefwiser]

Shading and water flow as they get larger can cause issues.

 

[codydemmel4]

Do you have pictures of them?

When you say your params are fine, what are they? Did you have any swings in alk and how often do you check alk?

 

[Kremis]

Mag 1300, alk is consistantly at 8, calcium is generally in between 400-450. 0 Phos or nitrate. I check alk every saturday. If you want a pic of a dead coral skeleton, I can post but I dont really see how it will help. My green birdsnest right now is looking great. All the birdsnests always look good, even when the STN or RTN is creeping up from the base.... Generally as the birdsnest grows the lower branches get shaded out and die, but this isnt what I am dealing with right now I think. I also have montiporas that are completely uneffected that are literally right next to where the birdsnests were,

 

[DivingTheWorld]

IMO your Alk might be a little high for such low nutrients. SPS also seem to do better with at least some nutrients (Phosphate/Nitrate). Not to say that's the issue, just something I noticed. AFAIK there isn't a lot known about STN/RTN. It seems to be a bacterial infection, but could be caused by any number of changes. I had RTN/STN the first year of my tank with acros, but yours is over a year. I think extreme swings in Alk, or extreme high/low Alk can cause it.

 

[Kremis]

All the birdsnest that I have that have died I got when I first started a tank or within a few months. Sucks that after 3 years of growing they die within ~24 hours.

 

[tkeracer619]

I had a little rtn on a coral in a tank that has been stable for months.

8.5dkh, 400ca, 1400mag, 1po3, .039po4

No idea what caused it... though when I got home at 8pm the tank was at 80deg. Normally runs about 77. House was at 76deg. I'm thinking the temps in the tank were several deg higher. Only a 34gal.

This morning it didn't seem to have gotten worse, we'll see when I get home today.

 

[codydemmel4]

Mag 1300, alk is consistantly at 8, calcium is generally in between 400-450. 0 Phos or nitrate. I check alk every saturday. If you want a pic of a dead coral skeleton, I can post but I dont really see how it will help. My green birdsnest right now is looking great. All the birdsnests always look good, even when the STN or RTN is creeping up from the base.... Generally as the birdsnest grows the lower branches get shaded out and die, but this isnt what I am dealing with right now I think. I also have montiporas that are completely uneffected that are literally right next to where the birdsnests were,

what are you using to keep alk and calc stable?

Just was saying a picture could be helpful because it could show if the tissue was falling off, more of a bleaching, alk burn, etc. pictures always seem to give some clarity to the problem

 

[tkeracer619]

I did some digging into my RTN on one of my coral frags in my coral QT tank. Pretty sure I found the culprit...

I'll give you one guess (hint there is a thread about it right now on the front page of reef discussion)

This IS why you QT.

 

[gentledental4u]

what caused it?

 

[boxfishpooalot]

Check your potassium levels