Help!!! Rtn on my acros

[tate1]

For whatever reason, 1 complete colony has died and 3 more very large colonies are rtning (Rapid Tissue Necrosis) from the bottom up. All have been healthy before. All effected colonies were from other tanks that were pristine and have been in ours for at least 1 month. 1 additional one that's been in my tank for about 4 months started to a month or so ago but stopped shortly after it started and looks like it may be starting to rtn again very slowly while all others go FAST. All of my levels are within normal range. I need y'alls expertise and advice. As always, thanks for your help.

Oh, all the older colonies have not rtned but some are dulling. I have never had this issue before. Last water change was 2 1/2 weeks ago.

Chad

 

[losthere]

Last water change was 2 1/2 weeks ago.

Well here is a start. I'm sure it isnt the cause, but it isnt helping things. IME sps like weekly water changes. When I miss one I can definitely tell.

Sounds like the corals never really liked your tank. You need to mimic the pristine conditions the corals came from to have long term success, especially with colonies.

I dont see any mention of flow. SPS need high, indirect flow. Also remember, (props to OP) S.P.S.=Stability Promotes Success, so try to have as little swings as possible in your water parameters. A little research will go a long way. Good luck

 

[finksmart]

Did you dip/check for AEFW?

 

[tate1]

I've been reading up on the subject and have to agree that a weekly water change would be in order. I will be doing 1 as soon as I get off work. As far as flow, I have 2 mp40's and 2 large Tunzes. I could create a Tsunami if I cranked everything up (I have a 265 tank). I was a bit concerned about it them going from their tank to ours.

No acro eating flatworms. Just the thought makes my blood pressure go sky high. I am faithful about dipping and examining corals before they go into the main tank.

 

[mile sq. reefer]

Softies ftw.

 

[tate1]

Still have a growing collection of exotic zoas, acans and chalices (not a softy, I know). They are much less stressful than SPS. They seem happy. Hope they stay that way.

The problem is in the water so I guess water changes are part of the answer. I just would like to know whats causing it so I can try to avoid this in the future.

 

[ToadSprocket]

Agreed on the parameter swings and weekly water changes. Do you keep a log of your params when you test? You could be fluctuating and not knowing it, how often do you test?

 

[reefinder]

i would take the effected corals out dip them. cut away the effected areas, reglue them in different spots of the tank and have some one else check my levels and look for pests in my dip. then check for metal or extra voltage in my system.

 

[Chipie]

If you can have your water tested by a lfs or another reefer , you should. I had the same problem and tested my water and all parameters were good. I bought another Alk test and found out after loosing quite a few nice colonies and frags to rtn and stn that my Salifert Alk test was bad and my Alk was really low the whole time. As soon as i got my Alk up, the rtn and stn stopped and the corals that were left recovered.

 

[tate1]

I had the water checked by a LFS about 2 weeks ago. My refractor was off (hadn't calabrated it in a while). Found out my salinity was .022. I brought it back up to .025.
Everything else was fine.

I check the water every week. However, I always check it in the evening. Someone told me to try the PH in the am. Is that right?

I have a 265. I did a 55 gallon water change 2 nights ago. So far everything has stop receeding. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. That same night I had a different LFS check everything with a different brand of test kits. It showed my PH at 7.8. I went home and rechecked it. Mined showed 8.0. I started raising the PH yesterday am.

 

[reefsic]

Unfortunately, when SPS is grown from a frag to a Colony in a tank, it gets accomodated to the lighting, flow, placement, water quality, etc etc.

When you take that same piece thats grown from the frag to colony and drop it into a new space (no matter how well established your system is), there's going to be some shock. This eventually leads to RTN/STN; some pieces make it through, and others dont. I've experienced this plenty of times in the past and have learned from it...GL!

 

[tate1]

I've rarely had issues with frags but have had issues with the larger colonies we got. After this experience I'm gonna stick with frags.

Thanks all for all the great information.