Pipe Organ question

[firewill65]

Just received a pipe organ coral from Liveaquaria....when I opened the bag, the water smelled very bad and there were a few dead worms floating in the water. I've drip acclimated the coral and placed in tank...When should I know if it's completely dead? Should it start to open at least?

 

[Thisseemsfishy]

I would say you should have a good idea if it's going to make it due to shipping in the next day or so, it should at least start opening then. Corals vary when it comes to acclimation time. I had a Superman Monti that didn't really color or act lively for a few weeks.

 

[chezhanks]

I would suggest a quarantine tank until you are certain, and contact the seller immediately, you may be able to get a credit.

 

[firewill65]

Well like 10 polyps came out but never fully opened. The rest remained closed. I guess thats a sign that it's still alive, probably still adjusting and repairing from the shipping. Hopefully tomorrow more come out.

 

[firewill65]

Came home today and notice my green star polyps weren't open...something seemed strange so I checked and had an ammonia reading of .25. I did a water change nd brought it down. The pipe organ is opened up...could there still be enough die off to cause a spike?

 

[Thisseemsfishy]

Possibly. Did you get any of the bag water in your tank? Another guess for an ammonia spike is a member of your CUC possibly died? Just a thought.

 

[firewill65]

Yes I did get some bag water in the tank although i tried not to. My tuxedo urchin had been under a rock for 2 says now...but he is still carrying all his belongings so I'm assuming he's alive. If I lost a crab or snail I wouldn't know because I really don't keep track of them.

What do I do? Keep doing a water change every day and keep checking my water? I have a new anemone in the tank and I don't want to lose it due to ammonia. Thanks for all the advice

 

[Thisseemsfishy]

I would continue WC's daily until it comes down. Are you using RO water? If so how old are the filters, could this be the problem? What type of filtration are you using, could there be a build up of waste there?

 

[firewill65]

I just checked the ammonia today and the vial isn' t bright yellow which would = 0 ammonia but it isn't really green either which would = .25 I'm going to do another water change and I think I will be back on track. I reduced my feedings and I'll keep
monitoring.

Also, could taking a 2lb piece of rock out of my sump cause the spike? Maybe the bacteria had to build up more when I took it out, thus causing the spike. I know when people want to get rid of their bio balls, they are supposed to take them out slowly over a long period of time. I'm guessing my ammonia spike was a combination of many factors...piece of rock taken from tank, crap in bag go into water colum, die off from new coral, feedings etc.

My GSP appear to be spreading a bit...do they stay closed when they start to spread sometimes?? Thanks agian!

 

[jimmy frag]

a small ammonia reading sould be gone after a day with out a water change.

 

[Thisseemsfishy]

I just checked the ammonia today and the vial isn' t bright yellow which would = 0 ammonia but it isn't really green either which would = .25 I'm going to do another water change and I think I will be back on track. I reduced my feedings and I'll keep
monitoring.

Also, could taking a 2lb piece of rock out of my sump cause the spike? Maybe the bacteria had to build up more when I took it out, thus causing the spike. I know when people want to get rid of their bio balls, they are supposed to take them out slowly over a long period of time. I'm guessing my ammonia spike was a combination of many factors...piece of rock taken from tank, crap in bag go into water colum, die off from new coral, feedings etc.

My GSP appear to be spreading a bit...do they stay closed when they start to spread sometimes?? Thanks agian!

Yes, taking LR out could cause the spike, your bio ball comparison is correct. I believe it was a combination of things, but now knowing more of the story, I would attribute most of it to the LR removal.

As for the GSP....I have two different kinds and both spread with a light purple mat, then it turns to a deep true purple. The polyps will not fully expand until its matured a bit and turned deep purple, until then you may see small polyps or white bumps. Stay on top of it and trim it back, when its under control its beautiful with random current.