Hello everyone. We need help! We have entire corals bleaching overnight. Good polyp extension one day, and the next the coral is WHITE. We are attempting a 25% water change first. Then testing will begin. Starting to test now. Any suggestions as to what direction to investigate? Most corals still look fine, with good polyp extension.
Heelllppp!!!! Asap!!!
- Thread starter rulesmith
- Start date
We have not put any of the clams in yet. There have been no changes recently. Calcium reactor has been operational since before the tank tour. We put in some new corals from Frag Farmers 2 weeks ago. Most of those are doing okay, but not as well as they were doing the first week, but I am still moving them up closer to the lighting. As far as we know, nothing has died. Feel free to call us if you have any suggestions or other questions. 477-9701
Calcium 450
Ammonia 0
ph 8.04 (stays between 8.00-8.08)
Alkalinity 2.8
Calcium 450
Ammonia 0
ph 8.04 (stays between 8.00-8.08)
Alkalinity 2.8
GorillaReefer
Premium Member
Your Alk is way too low, Try using baking soda to get it higher. Around 8/9 is good. Mine was real low once, and I lost around 5 colonys.
Jesus
Member
It could be disaster if Alk was running higher before or if the Alk is alway flactuating(up/down). Sometimes if you over dose with to much CO2 that will do it. I have one of my Oregon tort that way. Corals does not like sudden changes. Or you have some pest that was bothering it and you haven't notice until it was too late.
jesus
jesus
I have two PH probes, but I did double check and it is 8.0 by the chemical test.
Nothing looks worse today, or better. The bleached corals are white, not covered with algae yet. I really hope my California tort makes it, it was one of my first from the old tank. I have never had a coral go white and make it though, any tips on how to save it?
Nothing looks worse today, or better. The bleached corals are white, not covered with algae yet. I really hope my California tort makes it, it was one of my first from the old tank. I have never had a coral go white and make it though, any tips on how to save it?
plankton
Premium Member
In general. Try to frag some pieces off where the tissue looks healthy, slimy and smelly. Then, attach to a piece of rubble rock using epoxy/gel glue and dip in Iodine for 5 minutes or so. Best to create several frags then place them in different parts of your tank and see if they make it.
Scott
Scott
Aquarist Guru
New member
So sorry to hear about this let me know if you need any help with anything.
Aquarist Guru
New member
I again I hate to state obvious newbie questions, but the temperature in Stockton has dropped alot lately at night, any chance your fans, and stuff are dropping the water temperature, I'm sure thats not it but I always ask the obvious incase of over look.
I had read a post once where someone was in a panic over corals going white, then realized he never added the salt to his RODI water change the week before and had brought his water from 1.025 to 1.010 in under an hour.
I had read a post once where someone was in a panic over corals going white, then realized he never added the salt to his RODI water change the week before and had brought his water from 1.025 to 1.010 in under an hour.
Well the good news is that something seems to be working. Jesus suggested we put in carbon, we did. We also did about a 50% water change. Nothing new seems to be going wrong. Some of the corals look a little better. My California tort, well it is all white, but no algae yet. Keep your figures crossed for me.
PIECEOFTHEREEF
In Memoriam
I would do another water change tomorow (30% or so). But not more than that. What you have done allready looks like its working just be carefull on the volums of water you chang.
Aquarist Guru
New member
Great to Hear I hope it all comes back strong and healthy.
tropoasis
New member
On the areas that have receeded, try using full strength Seachem Reef Dip on a q-tip to apply to the white areas and a short distance into the healthy tissue as well. let sit for a minute and place back in tank. 90% of the time that will stop further tissue loss and help prevent growth of algae on the skeleton allowing for easier regrowth over the dead areas.
Thank you, tropoasis for the cali tort. I really enjoyed your presentation as well.
We think we know the cause of the problem. As many of you know we have to tanks connected to the same sump. One is 360 and one is 54. The return divides off between the two tanks with most going to the the 360, but a good flow to the 54. The return water comes from the center chamber of the sump. The center chamber has an auto water top off. We were doing a lot of protein skimming and evaporative cooling the last few weeks. So we believe that the stream of water going into the 54 was very low salinity. When we would test the tank for salinity level it was acceptable, we generally kept it fairly low around 1.22 or so. The long term established corals that died were all in the direct or indirect stream from that return. Things are looking better and we are slowly bringing salinity up. We also are skimming less, and fans are mostly off. If all goes well we will be pretty sure that this was the problem.
Thanks again everyone for the help.
We think we know the cause of the problem. As many of you know we have to tanks connected to the same sump. One is 360 and one is 54. The return divides off between the two tanks with most going to the the 360, but a good flow to the 54. The return water comes from the center chamber of the sump. The center chamber has an auto water top off. We were doing a lot of protein skimming and evaporative cooling the last few weeks. So we believe that the stream of water going into the 54 was very low salinity. When we would test the tank for salinity level it was acceptable, we generally kept it fairly low around 1.22 or so. The long term established corals that died were all in the direct or indirect stream from that return. Things are looking better and we are slowly bringing salinity up. We also are skimming less, and fans are mostly off. If all goes well we will be pretty sure that this was the problem.
Thanks again everyone for the help.
