Help, my SPS are RTNing!!!

[JFish180]

I have a 180 gallon (mostly sps) that has been running for about 2 yrs. (1 year as reef). All corals have been doing great (exceptional coloration) until just recently. I had an area of my tank with a large population of Xenia. I fragged several large Xenia heads (with a razorblade) in order to significantly reduce the Xenia population in my tank. At the beginning of this week several SPS colonies (in different parts of the tank) began showing signs of stress (low or no polyp extension & color loss). Then starting 3 days ago a few colonies RTNed, and the problem has been spreading. Two days ago I removed nearly all the Xenia from my tank and ran carbon to try and reduce possible toxins released by the Xenia, yet this didn't help. I added more carbon, along with several bags Chemi-Pure, but still no improvement. I think a large water change is in order, but it will take several days to fill my RO water reservior and I don't want to loose my whole tank in the mean time.

Any suggestions as to what course of aciton I should take? Would it help if I hooked up a UV sterilizer?

Thanks,
Jared

 

[jsweir]

I think UV just kills critters/bacteria. No idea what to do except water changes and carbon...I wish you the best of luck!

 

[Johnsteph10]

Parameters?

Water changes, carbon, chemipure filter pads, skim wet like mad.

 

[marine_freak]

I second Johnsteph 10 recommendation..... also word of advice always have a large amount of water on hand just in case!!!!!! I usually keep 2 55 gallon drums full at all times for my 75 gallon reef... just in case something like that happens.

 

[carib]

10 recommendations+check your chiller,heater,CR(temp. swings) test all parms.

 

[JFish180]

Thanks for the recommendations.

Tank parameters:

Temp: Constantly ~ 78*F
Calcium: 410 ppm
Alk: 9.9 dKH
Nitrate: 0 ppm
PO4: 0.1 ppm

Things i've changed in the last month:
1. Changed from dosing B-ionic to running calcium reactor about a month ago (alkalinity values fluctuated, but now seem stable)
2. Changed lights from 400watt Hamilton 10K to Reeflux 10K about 3 weeks ago
3. Treated for Red bugs w/ Interceptor about 3 weeks ago
4. Heavily fragged lots of Xenia in my tank about 1 week ago; also accidentally stirred-up a portion of the sand bed (~2" sand bed) at that time

I added a few more bags of ChemiPure tonight, as corals are still RTNing. Only SPS seem to be affected. I am going to start making saltwater (Instant Ocean) for a large water change. Any more suggestions?

 

[jsweir]

I don't really know much about chemipure, but it's not carbon. I would look at that as a potential source of RTN also....

 

[kirstenk]

1. Changed from dosing B-ionic to running calcium reactor about a month ago (alkalinity values fluctuated, but now seem stable)
2. Changed lights from 400watt Hamilton 10K to Reeflux 10K about 3 weeks ago

I would bet your problem started here. I had a friend who lost all SPS when adding a CR. They had significant ALK swings and the damage could not be reversed. The time frame was the same as yours. If your corals did stress to any ALK swings and then the new lights, they took a double whammy.

If you do a large WC make sure everything matches.

Good Luck.

 

[JFish180]

"If you do a large WC make sure everything matches"

How would you match up the new SW to my tanks SW levels? I have Turbo Calcium, but wouldn't know how to raise the alkalinity of the new water.

 

[JFish180]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7314969#post7314969 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jsweir
I don't really know much about chemipure, but it's not carbon. I would look at that as a potential source of RTN also....

I doubt that chemipure is the problem. In the past I have added large amounts (10 bags) all at once and had no poblems. (About 6 months ago my large sea cucumber was shredded by my Tunze Stream pump - almost killed all my fish, but the Chemipure saved all but one)

 

[kirstenk]

Raise ALK with baking soda.

 

[jackson6745]

I would say it's the new bulbs....

 

[cwegescheide]

I totally agree with KirstenK...

Things i've changed in the last month:
1. Changed from dosing B-ionic to running calcium reactor about a month ago (alkalinity values fluctuated, but now seem stable)
2. Changed lights from 400watt Hamilton 10K to Reeflux 10K about 3 weeks ago

major ALK swings are very bad...

New light bulbs especially if the corals are not acclimated properly can make corals RTN as well, Bigtime..

Either of these two things by themselves could do it no problem... Don't know what to tell you. some people have claimed (don't know if its substantiated though) that lugols on the affected area will slow/stop the spread of RTN.. You might check into it.

If I were you I'd try and save i.e. frag the corals so you'll have something left...

Chris