Few specific ?'s about first frags

[SDguy]

Well, I'm expecting my first ever mail order batch of SPS frags tomorrow. At first I though I'd just put them into the main display. I mean, how risky could aquacultured frags from a reputable dealer be, right. Pshaw! After reading the threads in this forum...they are sooo going into quarantine! Anyway, a couple quick questions:

1. The quarantine system is basically my 15g sump/fuge from my old hex tank (a single baffleless tote) with a 5ft 4" diameter DIY skimmer with recirculating sedra 5000 NW. Two 10K 32W CF lights., and a heater of course. Is this sufficient for QT of SPS?

2. Do I dip the frags after acclimating, but prior to adding to the QT system, or do I not bother with the added stress since they're going into QT anyways?

3. If I do dip, do I do a Lugol's type dip for infection, TMCC dip for pests, or both?

4. How long is it recommended to keep in QT? For that matter, how long will they be alright in that setup?

This isn't my first time keeping SPS, and there is already one colony growing in my tank (the brown tester ). But this is my first time receiving a large batch of frags, and my first time mailordering anything alive for a tank.

Thanks for any pointers.

 

[Frankysreef]

remember the water parameters in your QT tank need to be reef perfect or those frags will not survive acclimation..

U might be OK with a lugol dip and placement into the display...

Chime in others on how long to kill parasites in lugol before entering main display...

I never qt my frags, but I buy only from people I know.

F

 

[SDguy]

The corals are all coming from Dr. Mac. The sump has been running without incident to it for over 4 years. There is some live rock in it.

 

[SDguy]

OK, so basically TMPCC is an Iodine solution like Lugol's. I already have Lugol's, so I don't need the TMPCC. And I also have FWE.

Any other thoughts/tips/suggestions before they get here today?

 

[GMAX]

Did I understand your post correctly? You want to use your sump as your QT? You said the sump has been running over 4 years...

Its interconnected with your tank. So anything that get in the sump gets in the tank. You get no benefit of quarantine there and light wont be the same so colors will fade, probably quickly.

I would inspect carefully and put them in main tank myself. Dont freshwater dip them either. You can kill some SPS running them through freshwater.

 

[SDguy]

Hehe, no. The sump and DIY skimmer are all that remains of my old 30g hex reef. Completely separate from my new tank. I just kept them running figuring they'd make a good QT system. But the info I'm gatheing from various sources are favoring simply doing a Lugol's dip in salt water and adding to the main display...

Guess I'll just stick to using the old system for fish QT, or coral from questionable sources.

 

[SDguy]

Well, eveyone arrived looking good. Here they are acclimating. Thanks for the help here guys.

 

[SDguy]

Unfortunately, one frag died overnight, and was completely fleshless in the morning. It was the purple tipped tricolor

Dr. Mac said he would replace it my next order. I think that's fair.

All the others are doing well. All had polyp extension this morning, except one that was listed as Acropora turaki. However, after a quick search in the SPS forum, it doesn't look like A. turaki...any ideas what it is?

It's the one in the bottom right of this pic:

And top row, second from left in this pic:

 

[poknsnok]

It looks like a turaki... I have one

 

[SDguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8263286#post8263286 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by poknsnok
It looks like a turaki... I have one

Hmmm, ok thanks. Any special requirements I should be aware of?

 

[SDguy]

Bummer...woke up this morning to find the flesh sloughing off the turaki

So here are my parameters:

Temp. 81-82F
pH 8.2-8.4
salinity 1.025
Ca. 400ppm
Alk 9dkH
Mg. 1290ppm
No ammonia/nitrite/nitrate. Undetectable phosphate (all kits salifert)

I use Kent 2 part and EVC Mg. right now since I haven't hooked up my Ca reactor yet. Topoff DI water from my lab at work gets a tiny pinch of kalk just to get the pH up.

The rest of my system is described in my profile sig.

I let the frags settle in before gluing. All had polyp extension to some extent (except the turaki...never seen a polyp yet). I just glued them Tuesday. Curiously, the turaki was the only one I didn't glue since I was kinda waiting for more info on it to decide ideal location in the tank.

Looking at the other frags this morning, they had great polyp extension, even the tort. Others were downright fuzzy.

So, any thoughts on what could be the problem? I appreciate any observations/advice. Did I provide enough info?

TIA

 

[Frankysreef]

probly stress, these animals can get stressed sometimes...

Turakis are a little more sensitive than other acros...

I fragged mine too much once, and the whole colony almost died on me.

 

[slojmn]

I concur, probably stress. Your params look good. Glad to hear the rest are looking good.

 

[SDguy]

So I should try to at least frag the remaining living portion? And then leave it in the same spot? Move it? Not sure what would be less stressful.

Thanks again for the advice.

 

[Frankysreef]

if it is rtning.. frag it... Hopefully it will be big enough to survive...

 

[SDguy]

Alright, will do as soon as I get home.