Drastic Measures! Pirates Cove 400 Reboot!

[pciscott]

Well for the last 5 months my SPS has been on a decline, water parameters good on Triton and my tank is very stable. Just cant figure it out! I also ended up with what I think is cross contamination from my 90 which ended up with AEFW in my 400. So this is why the Reboot.

I think I have some type of bacterial infection that slowly gets SPS and I have even tried full tank medication treatments. If it is not bacterial the only things it could be is something is in the water that is getting through my RODI filters. I run 3 Chloromine blocks and double DI at 0 TDS, but I hear there are things that can get past. I also am going to switch 2 things before the SPS goes back in my tank. I am going to switch from dosing to CA reactor and change Salt brands. I have been running IO for 3 years, but half the salt I have got lately is a brick in the bag that I have to break up. Not 100% sure what brand, but was considering Fritz or Tropic Marin.

Today with the help of Jorge and Phil we stripped all the SPS out of my big system. We cut all the death off and fresh cut everything putting the 10% of good undamaged colonies on large Frag tiles. I did add some frags to my 90, but the majority of the corals is going into one of Jorge's garage systems to see if he can save them. Some of my favorites were still alive so my fingers are crossed that Jorge will have better luck than I. He said had much better Polyp extension in his tank after he put them in today so I am hopeful.

A big thank you Jorge! I owe you big time! Thank you Phil as well as we had to deal with Flood issues after we cleaned out the tank today.

I am going to go SPS free for the next 4 months and just for good measures take my sump apart and make sure something that I missed ended up inside as I am at my wits end.

Drastic measures are not that fun, but not going to live with a pest. We found very few worms today dipping all the coral, as I have been basting my corals once a week, but we did see a few.

On the bright side the LPS is doing very well along with all my Fish, and Montipora. I am going to plant some more color in my tank this week from my garage frag that has had some nice LPS cooking for months.

I would have offered frags, but I am truly scared what I have could spread and this is not something I would like to happen to anyone on my behalf.

I will be looking for a few frags come the end of May that were lost, I will start to put together a list, luckily most of them I have given to friends.

I have a clean slate in the top half of my tank, and a pit in my stomach

 

[laverda]

That is pretty drastic. I hope you successfully figure out the issue and things return to normal.

 

[KWoo008]

Sorry to hear about your tank. I picked up a few boxes of Reef Crystals a while back. One box was completely bricked. I have a feeling it's due to a small break in the plastic bags allowing air and moisture to brick the salt. I tried using it but it would not mix well and my corals were ****ed after water changes. Had to buy a fresh batch and my tank is recovering. I have a feeling what you are going through is not due this but just wanted to put it out there since you did mention your IO salt was bricked. Good luck with your reboot!!

 

[CoralNerd]

No SPS for four months will be a bummer. [emoji24] Good thing you have cool fish to watch. Good luck, and we look forward to seeing your tank on the rebound.

 

[bblumberg]

Well for the last 5 months my SPS has been on a decline, water parameters good on Triton and my tank is very stable. Just cant figure it out! I also ended up with what I think is cross contamination from my 90 which ended up with AEFW in my 400. So this is why the Reboot.

I think I have some type of bacterial infection that slowly gets SPS and I have even tried full tank medication treatments. If it is not bacterial the only things it could be is something is in the water that is getting through my RODI filters. I run 3 Chloromine blocks and double DI at 0 TDS, but I hear there are things that can get past. I also am going to switch 2 things before the SPS goes back in my tank. I am going to switch from dosing to CA reactor and change Salt brands. I have been running IO for 3 years, but half the salt I have got lately is a brick in the bag that I have to break up. Not 100% sure what brand, but was considering Fritz or Tropic Marin.

Today with the help of Jorge and Phil we stripped all the SPS out of my big system. We cut all the death off and fresh cut everything putting the 10% of good undamaged colonies on large Frag tiles. I did add some frags to my 90, but the majority of the corals is going into one of Jorge's garage systems to see if he can save them. Some of my favorites were still alive so my fingers are crossed that Jorge will have better luck than I. He said had much better Polyp extension in his tank after he put them in today so I am hopeful.

A big thank you Jorge! I owe you big time! Thank you Phil as well as we had to deal with Flood issues after we cleaned out the tank today.

I am going to go SPS free for the next 4 months and just for good measures take my sump apart and make sure something that I missed ended up inside as I am at my wits end.

Drastic measures are not that fun, but not going to live with a pest. We found very few worms today dipping all the coral, as I have been basting my corals once a week, but we did see a few.

On the bright side the LPS is doing very well along with all my Fish, and Montipora. I am going to plant some more color in my tank this week from my garage frag that has had some nice LPS cooking for months.

I would have offered frags, but I am truly scared what I have could spread and this is not something I would like to happen to anyone on my behalf.

I will be looking for a few frags come the end of May that were lost, I will start to put together a list, luckily most of them I have given to friends.

I have a clean slate in the top half of my tank, and a pit in my stomach

Scott,

Sorry to hear about the problems you are facing. If you suspect something in the water, for example chloramine breakthrough, it is a small matter to add some sodium thiosulfate to both the tank and to your RO topoff water. I add this as a matter of course as it is cheap, harmless to aquatic life and guaranteed to prevent any chlorine/chloramine issues. Sure, your filters should get this out, but why not be extra safe? I buy the crystals and add a few grams to freshly mixed salt water, and to my discus and angelfish tanks when I change water in either. You only need about 5 ppm of the stuff to completely neutralize the levels of chloramine that are supposed to be in our water (less than 5 ppm). The health of your fish and LPS suggest that there can't be much breakthrough, but perhaps it is enough to trouble your SPS?

On another note, I got some corals at Reef-A-Palooza that seem to have brought some sort of infectious agent with them (despite Bayer and iodine dips before they went into my new 150g tank) that killed a prized Scolymia, the new corals themselves (a large head of candy canes) and a frogskin and Joe the Coral fragment (all in about 2 days). After getting rid of all of these dead/dying corals and turning on the UV sterilizer, no further deaths have occurred in more than a week.

 

[ChefZilla]

Hope you figure it out bud. When your ready for sps let me know.

 

[acesq]

I feel your pain Scott. Twice in the last 3 years I went through similar massive losses of SPS while the fish and LPS were fine. The first time I traced it to chloramine breakthrough. I changed all of the filters -- 2 carbon blocks, 2 r/o membranes (which are damaged by chloramines and allow other stuff through as well) and 3 di carts and added a 20" chloramines monster. Everything turned around fairly quickly. The Triton tests were good throughout. Now I change one small carbon blocks and one di cart every 2 months and the chloramines monster every 8 months. No chloramines issues since.

The next time it was heavy metal contamination which I traced to a rusting magnet hidden in the back of my sump. This after thinking it was my pumps and changed them all to RD3s. My triton test showed high tungsten and Eshan at Triton told me it can be caused by cheap rusting titanium in Chinese pumps. Only later did I find the magnet. I lost 90% of my SPS but barely any LPS. This took much longer to recover from. I changed 20+% of my water every week for months before I finally got it under control.

As frustrating as this is, you'll get through it.

 

[savethereef]

you will love Fritz Salt.
My SPS have Excellent PE since i switch from Red Sea Pro.
It does mix a little cloudy but after 20 min in the tank it clears right up.
notice better PE and coloration.
It does leave a little brown residue in my bin but since im making small batches its ok i can clean it out.

 

[pga7602]

Sorry to hear about the loss of SPS. Look on the bright side.. a restart is always fun and exciting. Post pictures so we get to see progression shots!

 

[pciscott]

Scott,

Sorry to hear about the problems you are facing. If you suspect something in the water, for example chloramine breakthrough, it is a small matter to add some sodium thiosulfate to both the tank and to your RO topoff water. I add this as a matter of course as it is cheap, harmless to aquatic life and guaranteed to prevent any chlorine/chloramine issues. Sure, your filters should get this out, but why not be extra safe? I buy the crystals and add a few grams to freshly mixed salt water, and to my discus and angelfish tanks when I change water in either. You only need about 5 ppm of the stuff to completely neutralize the levels of chloramine that are supposed to be in our water (less than 5 ppm). The health of your fish and LPS suggest that there can't be much breakthrough, but perhaps it is enough to trouble your SPS?

On another note, I got some corals at Reef-A-Palooza that seem to have brought some sort of infectious agent with them (despite Bayer and iodine dips before they went into my new 150g tank) that killed a prized Scolymia, the new corals themselves (a large head of candy canes) and a frogskin and Joe the Coral fragment (all in about 2 days). After getting rid of all of these dead/dying corals and turning on the UV sterilizer, no further deaths have occurred in more than a week.

Where do I get this sodium thiosulfate in bulk and how much do I use? Can I mix it into a liquid mixture and dose into my Top off water?

Frustrated and a little embarrassed like a teenager with a big zit on your nose except my zit is 400 gallons and in the entry of my house. I will post a video of the clean slate in a few weeks. I do not feel up to it yet.

I think I will order a Chloromine monster from BRS however and put that in front of my RODI. I do go through a ton of water and maybe i need to change my carbon blocks more often.

Thanks for the advice everyone!

 

[thirst]

Scott, I have a similar problem with my tank. I got some pests and now I am going to break down that tank.. set up 2 system so i can tank transfer dip the entire tank weekly for a while until I can be sure I have rid myself of all pests.

good luck to you!

 

[dodgerblew]

Scott, if you need anything just ask my friend. I'm happy to help you out

 

[swnoob]

Well for the last 5 months my SPS has been on a decline, water parameters good on Triton and my tank is very stable. Just cant figure it out! I also ended up with what I think is cross contamination from my 90 which ended up with AEFW in my 400. So this is why the Reboot.

I think I have some type of bacterial infection that slowly gets SPS and I have even tried full tank medication treatments. If it is not bacterial the only things it could be is something is in the water that is getting through my RODI filters. I run 3 Chloromine blocks and double DI at 0 TDS, but I hear there are things that can get past. I also am going to switch 2 things before the SPS goes back in my tank. I am going to switch from dosing to CA reactor and change Salt brands. I have been running IO for 3 years, but half the salt I have got lately is a brick in the bag that I have to break up. Not 100% sure what brand, but was considering Fritz or Tropic Marin.

Today with the help of Jorge and Phil we stripped all the SPS out of my big system. We cut all the death off and fresh cut everything putting the 10% of good undamaged colonies on large Frag tiles. I did add some frags to my 90, but the majority of the corals is going into one of Jorge's garage systems to see if he can save them. Some of my favorites were still alive so my fingers are crossed that Jorge will have better luck than I. He said had much better Polyp extension in his tank after he put them in today so I am hopeful.

A big thank you Jorge! I owe you big time! Thank you Phil as well as we had to deal with Flood issues after we cleaned out the tank today.

I am going to go SPS free for the next 4 months and just for good measures take my sump apart and make sure something that I missed ended up inside as I am at my wits end.

Drastic measures are not that fun, but not going to live with a pest. We found very few worms today dipping all the coral, as I have been basting my corals once a week, but we did see a few.

On the bright side the LPS is doing very well along with all my Fish, and Montipora. I am going to plant some more color in my tank this week from my garage frag that has had some nice LPS cooking for months.

I would have offered frags, but I am truly scared what I have could spread and this is not something I would like to happen to anyone on my behalf.

I will be looking for a few frags come the end of May that were lost, I will start to put together a list, luckily most of them I have given to friends.

I have a clean slate in the top half of my tank, and a pit in my stomach

Curious if your sps had any obvious signs of stress before going down hill.

Loss of polyp extension?

Loss of color?

Was it stn or rtn from the base?

Any changes to the flesh?

My tank experienced something similar just recently but things have settled down on its own. I have lost several pieces while others are did very well.

I have ruled out bugs. Bayer dipped several of the affected pieces and nothing.

 

[pciscott]

The colonies that were unaffected had good polyp extension and it was weird as the problem did not start from the base or the tips. The middle of the colony would get a small spot of death and then they would slowly loose flesh outward, some of the tips still had polyp extension. I would say that I did loose some color on the affected pieces. Also several of my colonies had a weird filament type polyp extension. Almost like 1/4" to Half inch white hairs that were like polyp extension, but not. Some of the corals went fast and peeled once it started others would loose a very little and even stop for a few weeks then start going again. I did have AEFW towards the end and why I decided to go Acro Free to get past them 100% as my large colonies had grown to big to pull out and dip. I would say I was able to save 30% of the coral and hope that a tank change will slow down whatever is getting them in my system.

With everything that was going on 10% of the corals still looked great and were unaffected, but I lost some pretty special pieces for sure.

 

[dodgerblew]

I've been slowly losing my red planet from the encrusted base for approximately 3 weeks. This is my oldest colony at close to four years. No reason for it. I've also had my Copps Green Monster going from a nuclear green to a dark olive and one of my colonies slowly dying with no reason. Same salt I've been using for the last year, nothing new. All of my other corals are doing well. No idea why. My water shows 0 tds but I ordered the pentek chloromine blocker today after reading this and hearing from Jason. This is scary stuff

 

[swnoob]

The colonies that were unaffected had good polyp extension and it was weird as the problem did not start from the base or the tips. The middle of the colony would get a small spot of death and then they would slowly loose flesh outward, some of the tips still had polyp extension. I would say that I did loose some color on the affected pieces. Also several of my colonies had a weird filament type polyp extension. Almost like 1/4" to Half inch white hairs that were like polyp extension, but not. Some of the corals went fast and peeled once it started others would loose a very little and even stop for a few weeks then start going again. I did have AEFW towards the end and why I decided to go Acro Free to get past them 100% as my large colonies had grown to big to pull out and dip. I would say I was able to save 30% of the coral and hope that a tank change will slow down whatever is getting them in my system.

With everything that was going on 10% of the corals still looked great and were unaffected, but I lost some pretty special pieces for sure.

Sounds like we are experiencing the exact same thing.

Here is a sample of 1 of the smaller pieces i lost.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bleekerbros/31522606202/in/datetaken/" title="IMG_0548 (2)"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/414/31522606202_7b79286069_h.jpg" width="1600" height="1066" alt="IMG_0548 (2)"></a></script>

I'm still getting that filament type extension you mentioned on a few pieces and also noticed alk uptake has slowed down as well as nitrates and phosphates increasing telling me growth is at a stand still on some pieces.

Currently doing 10 gallon water changes daily and will continue for the next 2-3 weeks or until i see improvement.

 

[ReefPharmer]

Scott sodium thiosulfate is Prime and similar water conditioners. A little prime goes a long way and a 500ml bottle is enough for 5000 gallons. It's relatively inexpensive as well

 

[pciscott]

Sounds like we are experiencing the exact same thing.

Here is a sample of 1 of the smaller pieces i lost.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bleekerbros/31522606202/in/datetaken/" title="IMG_0548 (2)"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/414/31522606202_7b79286069_h.jpg" width="1600" height="1066" alt="IMG_0548 (2)"></a></script>

I'm still getting that filament type extension you mentioned on a few pieces and also noticed alk uptake has slowed down as well as nitrates and phosphates increasing telling me growth is at a stand still on some pieces.

Currently doing 10 gallon water changes daily and will continue for the next 2-3 weeks or until i see improvement.

I am doing 8 gallons a day auto water change, maybe if something is getting past the RODI the extra water changes could be the problem. My corals started the same way yours are going, hope we can figure it out. I have talked to a couple others that are having exact same problem. Could it be as simple as make up water?

 

[watchguy123]

Reefkeeping sps is frustrating. All of us have had some type of weird die off. Some are from obvious screw ups but some just don't make sense. I truly believe that there are sps diseases either viral or bacterial that we simply don't know about. I recently lost some acros to rtn, about 7 different pieces. Interestingly I had duplicate RR Canada wolverine frags for many months, one rtn'd but the other is fine. My triton is close to perfect, my parameters stable and the tank looks really happy. Color and polyp extension is great. Frustrating and I feel for you Scott. It's really challenging to go through the long process of ruling out whether the problem is bad water (chloramine, weird contaminants ), bad equipment (heater, pump, magnet) or whatever else.

Reboots are exciting though. New scape and more frags to buy

 

[swnoob]

I am doing 8 gallons a day auto water change, maybe if something is getting past the RODI the extra water changes could be the problem. My corals started the same way yours are going, hope we can figure it out. I have talked to a couple others that are having exact same problem. Could it be as simple as make up water?

I was only changing out 30 gallons a month prior to this so not sure if our RODI may be the issue. TDS meter is currently at 0.

My BC Upscales Microlados starting to stn just now. It has looked bad for a few weeks but no tissue loss til now. Notice the abnormal tissue.

Sorry for the large pics.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bleekerbros/31683199843/in/datetaken-public/" title="IMG_0866 (2)"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/653/31683199843_9cae3aeed0_k.jpg" width="2048" height="1365" alt="IMG_0866 (2)"></a></script>

Here is a BC Hyperberry with the same tissue
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bleekerbros/32494776875/in/datetaken-public/" title="IMG_0868 (2)"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/436/32494776875_0f2d767b08_k.jpg" width="2048" height="1365" alt="IMG_0868 (2)"></a></script>

Did you have anything similar on your corals?

Reefkeeping sps is frustrating. All of us have had some type of weird die off. Some are from obvious screw ups but some just don't make sense. I truly believe that there are sps diseases either viral or bacterial that we simply don't know about. I recently lost some acros to rtn, about 7 different pieces. Interestingly I had duplicate RR Canada wolverine frags for many months, one rtn'd but the other is fine. My triton is close to perfect, my parameters stable and the tank looks really happy. Color and polyp extension is great. Frustrating and I feel for you Scott. It's really challenging to go through the long process of ruling out whether the problem is bad water (chloramine, weird contaminants ), bad equipment (heater, pump, magnet) or whatever else.

Reboots are exciting though. New scape and more frags to buy

I am experienced the same. During a recent move I made about a dozen accidental frags. While the colonies look bad, the frags are just fine. I agree that it may be viral or bacterial why are only some and not all sps affected?

I will add that I was dosing acropower and feeding reefroids which I have stopped. Also have a slight issue with bubble algae. I regularly knock off what I can and run carbon right after. Could bursting the bubble algae release something that would affect the sps.

Sorry for my rambling, trying to see if there is anything else in common that would raise a red flag.