How likely are my corals to die from hydrogen sulfide

[Newsmyrna80]

Today I noticed what appeared to be hydrogen sulfide on top (and an inch down) of my DSB in the refugium. This started because last Wednesday I cleaned out the Xenia in the main and put it in the refugium to sell to the LFS. Anyway, I turned off the return pump and closed off the valve. I then pumped the water out of the refugium's midsection out of the tank. Then I scooped up all the stinky sand and dead Xenia. I put fresh saltwater back in and let it settle. I put fresh carbon in the filter floss and a chemi pure bag in between the refugium's midsection and the return pump. I also added a little iron and turned on the refugium light per this article: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-12/rhf/
There was no rotten egg smell. I let the skimmer run for a while to oxygenate the water. Now 7 hours after all this happened I see some of my corals completely retracted. My blastos, chalices and scans are turning themselves inside out. Could the hydrogen sulfide have done this to them? All fish, inverts and most corals look good. Amphipods still running around.

 

[bertoni]

If a small amount of hydrogen sulfide got into the main tank, it might irritate animals. I suspect your corals will be back to normal fairly shortly, although I'd watch the tank for a bit. High levels of hydrogen sulfide could kill, but that seems unlikely given your description.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

Thank you! They're not as retracted this morning but I'll do a water change and keep an eye on them. Thanks again

 

[disc1]

Today I noticed what appeared to be hydrogen sulfide on top (and an inch down) of my DSB in the refugium.

What do you mean you noticed? What did you see?

There was no rotten egg smell.

That's good. There's no hydrogen sulfide then. You can't miss the smell of even a tiny amount.

 

[tmz]

If you saw black stains it's probably sulfide and hydrogen sulfide may have occured earlier and moved out and oxidized. It oxidizes and disappears so if there's no smell it's gone.You likely stirred something up taht irritated your corals when you removed the xenia or as they were dying it's possible allelopathic compounds were released.

I'd personally siphon out some of the top layer( 1/2 ich or so) of that sand in quarterly increments over the course of a week or so.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

It was a dark ashy gray substance that was in a corner and down about an inch. I'm in my fish room 10x/day and am always looking for new critters so this ashy substance hasn't been there all that long.
I definitely stirred up the sand when scooping it out but I did disconnect the refugium from the main. I pumped out every bit of water I could. I think you're right Tom, I did irritate the corals. I was worried as to how much I irritated them. Btw I'll be up in your neck of the woods next month visiting family. Could you try to arrange some decent whether this time I about froze to death in April

 

[tmz]

Where will you be; I'll point my good weather machine in that direction.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

East Aurora/Orchard Park. I'm hoping for something above 60

 

[tmz]

I'll work on it. Beware though last time I tried to use it we got the infamous October ice storm. If you have time during your visit send me a pm and you can stop by if you like. Just send me a pm.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

Ok well maybe we'll leave the weather machine out if this Thanks for the invite! I definitely will try...I'd love to see your tank!!