Help, SPS not happy in QT

[imaqt4utoo]

Ok, long story short. I have AEFWs removed all my corals from my display tank (which has tons of fish in it). The only corals in the display are LPS and some monti caps along with a few birdnests. All acros have been scraped completely off of all the rocks.

I moved all those acros to a 40gal QT tank. The tank was made up of 80% display tank water and 20% fresh aged salt water (close to same params as display tank).

I have decent flow in the QT. Running 3 Maxijet 400 on a wavemaker along with a nano Hydro. I'm also running a skimmer and a HOB Aquaclear 70 and GFO.

QT also has a damsel fish in it. My params have stayed pretty stable in the QT.
The biggest problem is that polyp extension on a few of the acros is lousy and some have slow necrosis near the base of the coral.

I don't know what is causing the loss in polyp extension and necrosis.

Here are the QT params

ca 460
mg 1350
dkh 11 (I typically run high)
ph 8.2
SG 1.023
NO3 = 0
P04 = 0
Lighting is a sunpod 150w 14k mh (main display has 250w 14k)

I'm so tempted to put them back into the main display, but I need to get rid of the AEFW and keep them in QT for another 5 weeks!

 

[Znut Reefer]

What did you dip them in? Or was they dipped for AEFW?

 

[snorvich]

I suggest increasing your salinity to 1.025/6 measured with a refractometer.

 

[imaqt4utoo]

I dipped them in a bucket of tank water with Flat Worm exit for about 30 mins...Out of all the acros, only 3 flatworms were found and I blasted them with a powerhead as well and checked as best I could for eggs.

1.023 is the reading with a calibrated refractometer. The corals have done well with 1.023 salinity, but I can increase it, they never had polyp issues with the salinity being at that level.

Not sure if they are hungry or what could be the problem. The only change is this is a tank without a ton of fish, a different filtration system (HOB vs. sump) and no calcium reactor. My readings are not fluxuating much day by day even though I'm dosing Calcium.

 

[snorvich]

I don't know if Flat Worm Exit works with AEFW. When I use it with normal flatworms I increase the dosage to 150% of recommended. What dosage did you use?

I still think that salinity closer to NSW is better.

 

[snorvich]

With no fish, there is no nitrate but in the short run, that should not be that big of an issue. Are you using a magnifying glass to check for eggs?

 

[trueblackpercula]

Flatworm exit does not work of AEFW....... Are you sure thats what you have? can you post a picture of your SPs? what temp is tha tank at? i think 11dkh is on the high side but thats just me.

Michael

 

[imaqt4utoo]

I don't think there's really any sure fire method for curing AEFW.

Oh and I'm sorry I didn't use Flatworm exit....you are right this does not work. I used Fluke tabs and dipped in Coral Revive as well. I didn't want to levamasole or betadine as I think these are a bit harsh on the coral. Would be nice if there was something like interceptor out there for AEFWs.

Tank temp is slightly higher than the main tank, running near 81-82 vs. 79-80 degrees.

 

[trueblackpercula]

Ok the temp is not bad but can you get it down to 79 to 80 tops? what is the photo period at? can you see the AEFW? maybe they are starting to get worse.
Michael
Post some pictures

 

[imaqt4utoo]

Here's some before and after pics. I don't know how clear they are, but you can kind of guess. I tried taking from the same angle, but it's difficult.

Balitricolor B4

After

Hugo Insignis B4

After (hi-lighting tissue loss)

Superman monti B4

After (although a different angle, the polyps are not fully extended)

 

[imaqt4utoo]

what is the photo period at?

The same as the main tank ~5 1/2 hours of MH.

can you see the AEFW? maybe they are starting to get worse.

Nope I don't see anymore AEFWs, I didn't have a huge infestation, but the corals are definitely not happy in their QT env.

 

[imaqt4utoo]

Ok, some of the browning on the sps lead me to believe that there are some phosphates in the tank despite running GFO. I can't test for phosphates as it doesn't register on any of my test kits.
I think doing a 25% water change may be the way to go with these guys. What do you all think?

 

[imaqt4utoo]

I'm going on a week with issues on polyp extension on a few of the corals. I still can't figure out why despite my params being good.
The only thing I can think of is the lighting being the issue in terms of too much light because the corals are a bit closer to the light than before, even though its similar lighting.
Can someone tell me what are some reasons for no polyp extension on corals and if the corals start to brown out are they dead?