Learning/rebuilding from my epic fail

Thanks, Andrew.
The bugs seem to like the smooth skinned acros- or maybe it's just easier to see them on smooth skin..
Better idea! Let's meet in Hawaii!
Nobody can say no to Hawaii.
We should have an sps conference in Hawaii every year and all cites rules should be suspended for that week...
 
I have never experienced bugs before. Do you spot them or the symptoms first?

For me it was a little of both. I didn't have the common red bugs but instead these little white bugs that would start to irritate some corals and then explode in population. I had a mass of hundreds of them in a branch crotch of my Lokani when i decided to interceptor the tank. Since that first dose my polyp extension has been extreme to the point of annoying. :)

I noticed a few of these bugs again 2 months later when coral color started to decline and had to interceptor a second time. Supposedly red bugs are live bearers so one treatment works, but the white bugs might be egg layers so I suspect it takes more than one. I don't really know, though.
 
Hawaii hey Matt.......... :facepalm:

It's got an active volcano on it Matt........ yeah lets go sit on what is basically a rock with a bomb inside it and wax lyrical about acros until we're vaporized by a passing pyroclastic flow!

I shouldn't have to be the bad guy in this, it should be simple Matt. No places that are likely to explode, sink into the ocean or anything that might kill us please buddy :thumbsup:

(#$#%@ Canadians :mad2:)

Are you coming to the meet Mark, i'll make sure it's safe mate and bring you guys a few eskies filled with this stuff........

7_zpszr5w9yte.jpg
 
Fine.... Oz... You drive a hard bargain, lazy arse.
I guess if cites rule will be on hiatus for the meet, your backyard is the place to be.

I think I have a couple more shots..
Random stuff





 
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Hey Josh, thanks! it's the shooting star.. Although, if you look at watchguy's you'll see that the polyps could be more purple..
I had this in my frag tank for a long time and finally decided to add it to the display way down at the bottom where it will take ages for it to hit and grow over any acros.

Here's anothe acro shot..

And my Cali tort. Just though his was kind of cool. Reminds me of some one eyed sea monster about to strike..

Here's a closer shot of the monti

Oh and another plana..
 
Thanks! Based on Mark's experience, I think I'll need another dose for the little bugs. The real red bugs usually only need one shot but I think the others need a second.

Well, my eyes are not what they used to be. They are not so good at seeing minuscule things on corals that are a few inches from my face. I did not now I had bugs until somebody pointed it out to me. Then, I got out the macro lens and some reading glasses and reluctantly agreed that I was infected. In my tank there were no concrete signs. Other than several of my corals being stagnated.
I've seen corals live just fine with bugs on them. As an example, my jaw dropper which was clearly infested with true red bugs has been growing and doing well. But some of my seriously stagnated corals had the other smaller and grayish bugs, as shown in the pic above.
People usually report corals that lose pe, then lose color and then shut down. It's not a bad idea to have a seriously close look a coral that follows that pattern.


Thanks Mark! I hope it was worth it. I guess I'll know as the next week passes. I hope I see a few non performing corals break out and start growing.
Mark, feel free to add any insight to Kevin's question above.

Here's a couple more pics
Plana in the bottom, desalwi on top (I think)

Plans:

Another plana shot.

A deep water that looks a lot like a pacman

Thank you for the education. I have a couple of pieces that are just sitting there doing nothing. I also have a couple pcs with reduced PE. I have been struggling to get nitrates up and believe that may be the issue. I will keep an eye on the bug possibility.

Excellent blue and purple Plana pic. The Cali Tort is a favorite of mine as well. I look forward to that kind of growth and color.
 
Not only a beautiful corals but awesome photography!

It's damn near impossible to get half-way decent shots from a bad cell phone camera
 
Thank you for the education. I have a couple of pieces that are just sitting there doing nothing. I also have a couple pcs with reduced PE. I have been struggling to get nitrates up and believe that may be the issue. I will keep an eye on the bug possibility.

Excellent blue and purple Plana pic. The Cali Tort is a favorite of mine as well. I look forward to that kind of growth and color.
No problem. For the past month, since I've been back from vacation, I have reduced carbon dosing and increased feeding to get my nitrates up to 3ppm from below 1. Doing that and going back to gfo to pull my po4 down to about .07 has produced much better coloration in several corals. I'm happily shocked by the improvements.. One of the corals hat has shown the most improvement is that plana.
Not only a beautiful corals but awesome photography!

It's damn near impossible to get half-way decent shots from a bad cell phone camera
Thank you very much!
Try putting your phone in a top down viewing box. Just lie it flat on the bottom of the box.. That'll give you some decent shots. And maybe remove some blue from the tank at the same time.
 
Thank you very much!
Try putting your phone in a top down viewing box. Just lie it flat on the bottom of the box.. That'll give you some decent shots. And maybe remove some blue from the tank at the same time.

Thanks! I've got a LEE gel filter swatch book that just showed up, none of them are perfect but they help. I also have a Macro phone lens on the way. Those and a viewing box should do the trick, if not, then I give up!
 
I'm very intrested how many acros you have stuffed in that box of water. I want in on this sps retreat, wherever it may be held at. I vote Oz. I hope you get the results you are looking for from your interceptor treatment. Locally I have seen dramatic changes almost instantly.
 
I'm very intrested how many acros you have stuffed in that box of water. I want in on this sps retreat, wherever it may be held at. I vote Oz. I hope you get the results you are looking for from your interceptor treatment. Locally I have seen dramatic changes almost instantly.

Yep.. Oz it will be.. When I win the lottery, I will bring all who want to go!
I have not seen a dramatic change in the affected corals, however... Not yet..

Sheesh, more great pictures Matt!
Thanks Mark! :)
Matt how's the tank settling after the red but treatment? Did any of the peppermint shrimp survive?

Good ol' autocorrect! The red but just required a little cortisone cream! :)
As for the bugs treatment, I'd say 70% of pepps made it as did hermits, pistol, harlequin (as of Wednesday, anyways- haven't seen it in a couple days) and emeralds.. Not too bad..
We shall see what happens after treatment number two this weekend, however..
 
Yep.. Oz it will be.. When I win the lottery, I will bring all who want to go!

And i will put tents up in the back yard for all of you :thumbsup:

I couldn't sleep if i knew you were able to steal stuff out of the tank while i slept - nothing personal :)

Fantabulous rich colors Matt, you would do justice to all the wild stuff i post pics of standing on your head buddy :thumbsup:
 
You know, Andrew, we'll outnumber you considerably...
Acro crazed Canadians can be a pretty wild bunch... Especially when drinking Aussie beer.
 
You know, Andrew, we'll outnumber you considerably...
Acro crazed Canadians can be a pretty wild bunch... Especially when drinking Aussie beer.

haha just imagined a lumberjack with a hockeystick shooting acros around the place :lolspin:

btw amazing pictures mate! ! :bigeyes:
 
Yep.. Oz it will be.. When I win the lottery, I will bring all who want to go!
I have not seen a dramatic change in the affected corals, however... Not yet..


Thanks Mark! :)


Good ol' autocorrect! The red but just required a little cortisone cream! :)
As for the bugs treatment, I'd say 70% of pepps made it as did hermits, pistol, harlequin (as of Wednesday, anyways- haven't seen it in a couple days) and emeralds.. Not too bad..
We shall see what happens after treatment number two this weekend, however..

Lol stupid autocorrect... Did you do 1 or more large water changes after the first treatment?
 
Lol stupid autocorrect... Did you do 1 or more large water changes after the first treatment?

I have only done a regular 10% wc. No carbon or anything else. I'll do another 10% wc this weekend and then treat again on Sunday. 9 days after my first treatment. A week after the second treatment, I'll add carbon and do a regular wc.
I think that's it. I may add a bit more carbon than usual next week..
 
Well.. I bought a new acro today.. It was an a shipment of mostly Indo lps softies etc..
Nothing special.. A little wild colony but as I can't resist most acros and this one looked like it may, may do something nice in the tips, I bought it..
Here it is out of water:

In the tank:

And a little closer:

It has some nice blue tips.. Not sure it'll be anything special but I decided to give it a try.. I'll post some pics in a month..
 
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