Causes of tissue loss on SPS tips?

[dangerrrr]

I've been having a battle with tissue loss on the tips off my SPS for the last couple of months. It started off with a few acros losing tissue on the tips. It doesn't really progress further down, but the tissue gets increasingly thin. The tissue doesn't then RTN or even STN but they do eventually die. It's more like they're waisting away from malnutrition. Amazingly while all of this is going on I have other acros that are showing great signs of increased growth and colour!

What I want to know is what are some things that could be causing the initial tissue loss on the tips of the acros.

Hopefully I'll be able to narrow it down from there.

The most recent pics of the tank can be found here;

http://www.masa.asn.au/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=170255&start=300

Thanks guys.

 

[Mr. Brooks]

I'm going through the same exact problem right now. My calcium reactor was turned down a bit causing my alk, mag and calcium levels to dip lower than normal but not by much. I brought the levels back up today. I hope that fixes it.

 

[JSeymour]

Typically, burnt tips mean too high alkalinity. What is your day to night alkalinity range and with what test kit? Are you carbon dosing?

 

[grevedin]

Have you checked your Iodine levels? I have had similar problems until I came across this site which gives a good explanation:

http://www.reef-eden.net/iodine_in_the_reef_aquarium.htm

After having tested for Iodine and carefully adding Lugols the acros recovered from the burnt and disintegrating tips.

 

[Mr. Brooks]

Typically, burnt tips mean too high alkalinity. What is your day to night alkalinity range and with what test kit? Are you carbon dosing?

My alk had gotten down to 7dKH. I brought it back up to 9.3 - 9.6 where I usually keep it.

My tank is at my office and so I've never tested at night. I'm using a new Salifert test kit.

I recently started running carbon, but only after I started seeing problems.

 

[Mr. Brooks]

Have you checked your Iodine levels? I have had similar problems until I came across this site which gives a good explanation:

http://www.reef-eden.net/iodine_in_the_reef_aquarium.htm

After having tested for Iodine and carefully adding Lugols the acros recovered from the burnt and disintegrating tips.

I think you may have solved my problem. I'm running a skimmer rated at three times my system's volume and water changes have become less frequent. I've never dosed or tested for iodine. I'm going to pick up a test kit and some Lugals right now. Thank you!!