LPS question

[okkiedokki]

I'm having an issue with my frogspawn and I don't really know how to describe it so I'll try my best. I've been noticing over the past few days that the hard outer part of frogspawn, i think it's skeleton, is slowly wearing away. I see a blue legged hermit crab on it from time to time and I knock him off. I don't see any signs of the tissue itself deteriorating at all either, in fact the two heads on the frogspawn recently split. Furthermore, none of my other LPS are have their hard outer later deteriorating.

I'm wondering if it's possible that something in my tank is eating the hard part, and if so could it be pyramid snails, my blue legged hermits, or something else? I do have pyramids in my tank but my since I have a 24g NC I don't think it's big enough for a sixline so I've been picking them out manually. I'll try to get a picture but it's at a bad angle, any insite would help.

 

[Mrs.kbmdale]

I would have to say that is "semi-normal".... The reason I say this is because my frogspawn, trumpet and candycane, as well as my favites brain all look like this. It doesn't "continuously" happen though.

You need to check your water parameters (post them too) and make sure your calcium is up between 420-450. LPS use lots of calcium to build their skeleton, especially during splitting/regenerating, so this may be your problem.

Good Luck and Happy Reefing!
Brianna:rollface:

 

[Mrs.kbmdale]

Also, check out these links they are very informative.

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters
A Simplified Guide to the Relationship between Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium and pH
DIY 2 Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement
DIY Magnesium Supplement

All of these can be found at Reefkeeping Magazine


Good Luck and Happy Reefing!
Brianna:rollface:

 

[okkiedokki]

Thanks for the reply, I will post my water parameters when I get home.

 

[okkiedokki]

ok here is how my water tests:

Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrates: about 2ppm or less
Alk: 1.7 meq/L
pH: 8.4
Calcium: 350 ppm

I know my alk is a bit low, and so is my calcium. Could that cause the skeleton to deteriorate?

 

[CaveManNOhio]

I to would say you need to get your Calcium levels up. How much of that area had tissue on it?

 

[okkiedokki]

None of that area had any tissue, just skeleton. I have the two part calcium made, my next question is should I boost both my calcium and alkalinity or just the calcium?

 

[Large Polyp Dave]

that looks normal to me. Just looks like skeleton that has been cut/snapped there

 

[blange3]

Boost them both. They are both low. You want to get that ALK up over 2.5 meq at least. The Ca should be over 400. And don't do it all in one day!

 

[okkiedokki]

Thanks for your help. I've started dosing both daily a little at a time according to that online calculator i found in one of the reefkeeping magazine articles. I think I might be going too slow cuz so far the last 3 days my calcium and alk still haven't gone up despite the amount I've dosed.

 

[blange3]

Well now you have figured out your daily consumption rate.

Take the number that the calculator came up with, divide it by 5, and add the number you have been dosing and you should be able to raise your levels over the next 5 days.

 

[okkiedokki]

sweet. Thanks a ton.