curse*curse* STN *curse*curse

[dixiedog]

I actually feel dumb posting this, because I don't think there is an answer. But here goes anyway.

Everything has been all hunky dory for two years, and now with no changes in parameters, WC's, bioload, lighting, etc, etc, these ungrateful SPS are starting to go downhill on me. First both my torts lost all PE, then a Garf banzai started to STN. Then the torts started to STN, now another Garf is losing PE. STN is continuing to progress in first two specimens. SO FAR the other SPS are in the tank are okay, but I don't like this one ... little ... bit.


440/9/1450/0/0 @35PPT, Salifert, freshly calibrated refractometer
Octopus 110 in 30 total gallons
reefkeeper lite, drew's dosers, MP10, fan-cooled 4x24 TEK w/new bulbs
low bioload
passive carbon, no GFO at present, I was running PhosGuard 'til this began
small chaeto ball/LR in sump, counter daylight
sometimes I run a filter sock, sometimes not, never saw any difference

What am I forgetting?



.

 

[mike332211]

What's your alk level? And STN from the bottom or the tips?

 

[dixiedog]

Nine. Bottom.

 

[PR_Reefers]

I'd check alk and mg are in check....remember to check your water source, change ro membranes, etc..... discard any possible pests!..can you see any bite marks? or maybe try dipping one and see if something jumps out a magnifying glass helps!..if the corals die one after another imo it's possible it's a pest and after one dies they move on to others...

 

[dixiedog]

For anyone who missed it, I repeat: 440/9/1450

RODI is GTG, new filters Jan 1

Can't see any bite marks. I use a big magnifying glass too. I'm also a QT freak, nothing gets to my tank without six week QT. And no new SPS at all since November.

 

[toothman]

I think it is a common conception that phos guard strains acros, from the aluminum. I would consider some gfo, dd's is very good. If your phos and nitrate are zero, you can feed the tank a whole bunch, acro's always do better with more food, something like piscane mysis or oyster feast. If you feed to light acros may stop extending polyps. Are you testing phos with a hanna meter or hoch, if not you are wasting time with other kits, possibly it is way higher than you think. I like a little nitrate in my tank and some phos .02-.06. A water change is always helpful.

 

[reefkeeper2]

When was the last time you changed the carbon, what type are you using and how much?

 

[batt600]

I think you have AEFW those coral are there favorites to eat dip them to see if you have them , you can QT all you want , no one checks for AEFW egg when thay get new corals.

 

[Western_reefer]

Can AEFW stay dormant for more than half a year then go on a rampage??

 

[batt600]

If you have somthing eatting them then stoped then yes. This happen to a friend of mine, had a wrass that was eatting the AEFW . He wasnt really feeding this fish didnt have that many to, then one day bought a few fish and started to feed alot ,then boom the AEFW to over the hole tank. he never new he even had them tell the outbreak happened

 

[James404]

Have you recently dosed interceptor by any chance?

 

[dixiedog]

Not recently. I've had redbugs twice before (this is what got me on the QT bandwagon) and used interceptor successfully. I definitely don't have redbugs now.

In answer to some other questions, I use BRS carbon but not constantly. When I do use it I change it twice monthly or so.

My PO4 kit is a Salifert. Yes, probably a waste of time.

Here are a couple flash pics. I can't see anything that looks like bite marks or eggs. BTW the good news is I think the necrosis is slower now, maybe even stopped, on the garf at least.

Thanks!

 

[BradR]

I'm wondering if these cases of STN are related to bacteria. Would like to get a UV sterilizer but one for 600 gals is costly for a theory.

 

[anthony27]

I was reading about this and if the tank is in good condt. Yes it could very well be related to a bacteria outbreak. Look up stn and bacteria on the web and see what you come across.:reading:

I'm wondering if these cases of STN are related to bacteria. Would like to get a UV sterilizer but one for 600 gals is costly for a theory.

 

[JT3069]

Alright im listening will some post what they find about bacteria and stn
for general info thx

 

[reefkeeper2]

I asked about the carbon because there seems to be some correllation with changing carbon and stn occurances in my tank. I've been lurking in the forums trying to see if anyone else experiences stn a few days after changing out their carbon and what type they use.
I changed from the ROX carbon to ordinary Black Diamond brand and the problem has stopped. Coincidence? Who knows at this point. I just read the article in Coral magazine about carbon being suspected in HHLE. If it can do that to fish, it would not surprise me if it could start stn in sps.

 

[dixiedog]

I've heard about the carbon and HLLE thing, from back in my FW days in the Discus hobby. In this case though, I wasn't runnning carbon until the STN started.

Hey, wanna see my carbon reactor?? It's the blue net.

 

[reefkeeper2]

I've heard about the carbon and HLLE thing, from back in my FW days in the Discus hobby. In this case though, I wasn't runnning carbon until the STN started.

Hey, wanna see my carbon reactor?? It's the blue net.

Very innovative!

 

[dbraun15]

Consider your flow.

You list 1 MP10 for 30 gallons which certainly sounds adequate, but once the SPS start growing into colonies, you would be amazed at how little flow gets to the bases and internal portions of the colony.

Assuming all is as you state it is and has been and growth has been good and consistent, this is one variable in your tank that changes over time as teh coral grows.

Had the same thing happen to me a couple years ago. The pic below is of my 60g tank at its prime. At this point there was about 9500 gph being moved through it via tunzes and returns.

At some magic point, flow was not enough and I could not get any more in it. I began losing colonies as you describe until I moved out a ton and pruned back others.

This may not be it, but based off your description and my experience, it is something to consider. A FTS may help a bit as well.

 

[clowndude]

I asked about the carbon because there seems to be some correllation with changing carbon and stn occurances in my tank. I've been lurking in the forums trying to see if anyone else experiences stn a few days after changing out their carbon and what type they use.
I changed from the ROX carbon to ordinary Black Diamond brand and the problem has stopped. Coincidence? Who knows at this point. I just read the article in Coral magazine about carbon being suspected in HHLE. If it can do that to fish, it would not surprise me if it could start stn in sps.

I don't think it is coincidence. I changed mine and the next day I noticed the bases of two of my sps looking pretty suspect around the base like they are thinking about STNing. I'm going be switching my carbon also.