Help w/ Montipora digitata!

[reefknight]

I just received this frag a week ago. Its a 1" monti. digi and was already mounted. I am noticig that there is a growing white patchat the base of the frag. Please compare the two photos. My tank recently finished its cycle and all parameters are in check. I replaced my Mag 7 with a Pan World 30 yesterday. i am concerned that this maybe the startof bleaching or RTN. This is my first reef and am concerned. Tank also inhabits a ricordia/ zooanthid rock, zooanthid colony, 6 Astrea, 4 Cerith, 4 Margarita snails and 4 Blue-leg hermits. None of the corals are anywhere close to the monti. I noticed some white stuff emerging from a polyp, is it expelling its zooanthellae? Any help is great, thanks.

Bill

ph-8.2
Temp-78.2F
S.G-1.024%
NH4-0
NO2-0
NO3-2.5ppm
Ca-400ppm
kH-12.8

Berlin sump w/ EuroReef CS80(dry skim), 1/2 cup of Hydrocarbon, return via Pan World 30 via SCWD(4 outlets), 250W MH w/ 56W PC actinic and 1W lunar lamp. All water is RO/DI. Addatives are Sea Chem Reef buffer for make up water and B-Ionic.

 

[mntl]

do you have a p04 reading? It also looks to be receeding where the puddy is touching it, it does not appear to be receeding much further up from the base, but it is definately retreating from the putty for some reason. I would take it off the puddy, make sure it is in an area with decent (not too strong) flow and glue instead of using puddy.

If you have not tested p04 give it a try, it doesnt take much to upset sps.

-John-

 

[Rurouni Kenshin]

Re: Help w/ Montipora digitata!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6999412#post6999412 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefknight
My tank recently finished its cycle and all parameters are in check.

I did not have much luck with Sps untill about 8 months after having a very stable system. IMO your tank is too young, and you might be having some type of significant swing in one level or another.

 

[sps_addict]

Looks like the epoxy is killing it. 98% of the montipora's I have had that I set in my tank with epoxy died. For monti's it is best to use superglue gel.

 

[sidog1]

i have had luck with epoxy and digi's. i superglue the digi to the epoxy and the superglue the epoxy to the rock. Mine have encrusted over the whole epoxy...

 

[UFreefer]

my guess would be the epoxy as well, i would be that the coral will be fine and that it will grow over that dead spot
i wouldnt worry about it too much

 

[david8956]

Agree epoxy caused this damage. The chemical reaction the epoxy has when it cures can cause coral tissue damage where it is in contact with the frag. I use the rubble / super glue gel / epoxy / super glue gel / frag method of mounting frags and have never had a problem. (You can also use about 1/4 as much epoxy when you mount this way)

 

[reefrick.M]

I use AquaMend Epoxy all the time to attach my frags, no problems like that with my corals.

 

[reefknight]

Thanks to all of you for your replies! I really appreciate the assistance. I have spoke to a few other individuals as well today and that is the general conclusion. After speaking to the owner of the lfs, I am sure that this is the cause. The sister frags are all having the same issue. Can you purchase the super glue gel from any local retail stores?(ie. Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot, etc.) If I am able to purchase the glue can I remove the frag and attach to a rock? I would like to try and save this piece if possible.
BTW, PO4 is at 0.03ppm. I did not think to include it at the time.(Oops!)
I have really dedicated myself to this tank, as in the past I did not always keep up with things the way I should. Since I began this tank I am meticulous with testing and maintenance. I did not think I was ready(system wise or experience) to handle SPS's. After my lfs assisted in the design of the set up, its stocking and viewing my daily maintenance sheets he sent me home with the Monti. frag, as a gift. It meant alot to me tonight to realize that I did not cause this problem. I am sure that I will have issues from time to time and it's great to have individuals like yourselves to lend your advice. Thanks to all again for your support.

Bill

 

[Purple Haze]

you can buy the gel just about anywhere.

If the epoxy is set and the frag is not removeable, you could either a.) leave and and keep an eye on the stn event or b.), cut the frag above the necrosis and mount the healthy piece on something else with the gel leaving the receeding side to live or die in its current location.

 

[sps_addict]

You can purchase the super glue gel at any location. I purchase mine from home depot in the paint section. It's two tubes for $1.25 at the home depot near me.

Also make sure the glue is Cyanoacrylate

 

[dznuts007]

Walmart has a 4 pack for like a buck or something. Black and yellow tubes / packaging.

 

[damienkee]

If I am able to purchase the glue can I remove the frag and attach to a rock? I would like to try and save this piece if possible.
Bill [/B]

ofcoz u can....
cheers...

 

[SuperNerd]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7003474#post7003474 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sps_addict
You can purchase the super glue gel at any location. I purchase mine from home depot in the paint section. It's two tubes for $1.25 at the home depot near me.

Also make sure the glue is Cyanoacrylate

This may be a stupid question...but do you superglue the coral inside the water or outside the water?

If you superglue it outside the water how long do you wait before submerging the coral back in the tank?

Is Cyanoacrylate the only glue that will work and how do you know if the glue you get isn't toxic?

 

[Freed]

This is the quick fix for you so you don't have to worry anymore about the recession of the monti and trust me I know what I am talking about: Take the piece out of the water, apply super glue to the edge of the frag where the dead skeleton and the live flesh meet so that the live tissue is all you see on one side of the glue and the dead skeleton is all you see on the other. This will stop the necrosis and the day will be saved. WOOOOHOOOOO!!

Please throw money and not gifts as I am losing my job in NOV.