Random RTN/SRTN

[108reefer]

Not sure if this is where to post - but here goes -

I have a very mature tank - about 7 years old now, It is a 176 bow, with just a ton of LR (I'm thinking close to 250 between the DT and the huge).
For about the last 8 months or so I have been loosing a random colony or frag to what seems to be a slow rtn - it started with a huge colony of green slimmer that got attacked by astrina stars - that took a long time to get under control - had to catch a wrasse that kept eating the shrimp that would eat the starts - a vicious cycle! Anyway, I ended up loosing that whole colony - then a huge hyacinth BN (a foot in diam) ever since, at least once a month - in random spot, another one starts to go???

The tank params are just stunningly perfect (and have been for a very long time) I have a large Deltec skimmer (old, but great), I do run a small amount of O3 through the skimmer, I top off with Kalk (bright well Kalk plus), run a korallin CA Rx, have Carbon and GFO in a large MR1, a midwest sulfur denitrator, all run on a ACIII - great lighting (3 radium 250's on lumenmax elites, and 36 3 watt crees).

It all started with that slimmer, but I just can't seem to stop it?? what can I do to stop this cycle? I have some other great colonies I just don't want to loose to this!

Thanks for any advice! please feel free to ask any other questions!
Matt

 

[ghostman]

Tagging along as I have experienced something similar recently. Mature tank (2 years old), nice sized colonies of SPS having STN for weeks. Can't be AEFW as it is acros, montis, and pocilloporas. STN is from the base up. Also saw an outbreak of small asterinas recently as well. LPS and softies are doing great.

Please post all tank parameters, especially PO4, ALK, Ca, salinity, and temp. I'd also be interested to know what salt you are using as I am suspecting a bad batch of my salt for some of my problems. Just bought a new batch.

 

[108reefer]

I have no astrinas now - the harlequins have done their job a while ago..
Tank params;
Alk 8 stable
Ca 430 stable
Ph 8.2 stable
Po4 undetectable
No undetectable
mag - 1350
temp 77 +- .5
lights are in range (about 6months old)
I have been using TM bioactif for the last two years...
water changes - 30 gal every 4 weeks (sometimes 3, sometimes 5 - depends on schedule, but just out of habit, not nitrates).

 

[ghostman]

My tank parameters are similar:
Alk 7.5 salifert
Ca 440 salifert
pH 8.1 AC3
PO4 .06 Hanna
NO4 5 salifert
Mag 1440
Temp 80 AC3
I'm using the same salt:-( No pellets. I'm using GFO in a reactor, and carbon passively in a bag. My STN starts slowly at the base, but sometimes in the middle of a mature colony. I was suspecting flow issues since the colonies are larger, and installed another MP40.
What are your TDS of your makeup water?
Do you test your makeup water for alk/ca/mag? This is what I'm looking into...
Any new additions that could have brought in a pest?
I hope we you can figure it out before losing any more corals. It really sucks:-(

 

[108reefer]

No new additions - been afraid too... I have a few sitting at a friends house in his frag tank that I don't want to bring in yet. Truthfully I have not tested the makeup water after mixing, I know that my TDS going in is 0 (running a typhoonIII) and keep the filters clean/fresh (I have really good city water as well).
Mine do the same, start near the bottom and work up/out slowly... no pests - been very lucky there over the years! (knocking on wood).
I don't use pellets either...
I feed with spiralina20 for the most part, and feed misis once or twice a week.

This tank has been amazing for several years - but over the last several months has me scratching my head...

 

[ghostman]

I measured my freshly mixed up saltwater, and got a fairly low alk, and higher mag than I had measured in the past. I am i the process of supplementing my water prior to adding it to my tank. I also installed another MP40 for greater flow, and changed out my carbon. I hope this helps. I also removed 4 asterinas last night, so I guess I am not rid of them. I never had problems with them in the past, but their recent appearance has coincided with my recession. Say goodbye to the little stars!!!