Recovering? Diseased or Dying?

[quest4JC]

I'm fairly new to sps and just received this piece. I can't tell at what stage this piece is in. It definitely took a hit. I can't tell what the white stuff is. Maybe dying tissue? I can't identify any type of red bug or flat worm. Will it recover, should I frag it? I would like some help or recommendations on what I should do please.

 

[ingtar_shinowa]

Looks like old STN probably from low flow or higher nutrients but that old skeleton looks really old! Im not seeing any new tissue loss so it will probably regrow and encrust a bit.

 

[MBIETZ]

^+1

 

[quest4JC]

Thanks guy! I googled stn and found out the meaning. Lol. I'm concerned since I'm buying a frag pack tomorrow and don't want to take any chances.

How can I tell if there's any new tissue loss? There's so much white stuff I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between flat worm or debri. Is there anything in particular I should look for? You can't tell from my pic but the bottom sides of the branches are deteriorated also. How can you tell its old skeleton? Sorry so many questions, just trying to learn.

 

[ingtar_shinowa]

new skeleton is clean bright white. I bet your PO4 (phosphate) level are a little high. Are you running biopllets? Alot of people have shaded areas STN with LED's and biopellets.

 

[quest4JC]

All off my levels are good right now. I was given this piece yesterday and its how I received it. Nitrates/nitrites/ammonia/phosphate 0, alk 9, calcium 440 and still need to buy a magnesium test kit. Will the dead stuff grow back or color up? It's pretty ugly looking lol

 

[ingtar_shinowa]

it may over time. it SHOULD for the most part. If it decided not to you could frag it but I would let it settle down for a couple months since its new.

 

[quest4JC]

I'll give it some time but with the new 21 piece frag set I'm getting, this piece is taking up a lot of space. We'll see how the placement goes tomorrow. If not then chop! Chop! And on to fragging 101 for me. Thanks again

 

[correctamundo]

The dead part looks like it died long long ago. Theres coraline growing on the skeleton, it almost looks like liverock..The coral should just regrow over the dying part. Its done it for me many times before. Usually a bright white skeleton is a sign that it will continue to spread and is new STN. SPS usually do not grow over the bright white skeleton, it takes a while to the skeleton to 'clog up' with stuff so that it can be grown over like liverock.

If its spreading, frag a few inches into the live tissue and reglue.

 

[quest4JC]

The dead part looks like it died long long ago. Theres coraline growing on the skeleton, it almost looks like liverock..The coral should just regrow over the dying part. Its done it for me many times before. Usually a bright white skeleton is a sign that it will continue to spread and is new STN. SPS usually do not grow over the bright white skeleton, it takes a while to the skeleton to 'clog up' with stuff so that it can be grown over like liverock.

If its spreading, frag a few inches into the live tissue and reglue.

I've been keeping an eye on it and haven't noticed any changes. Then again it might be that I look at my tank every three seconds so don't notice the change. Thanks for the edumacation on that. Appreciated.

 

[Dog boy Dave]

If you keep adding stressed and diseased pieces in your system it's just a matter of time before you get one that is still infected. If it isnt this piece it will be another. Most of the damage on this coral pictured looks old. You might be ok with this one. However, the tissue loss pattern is exactly what you would see with AEFW. Although, because there is no new tissue loss and no eggs, the coral pictured, probably doesnt have that pest this time, you wont always be so lucky. Anyone who puts diseased or stressed coral into their system is playing russian roulette with a loaded gun.

 

[Dog boy Dave]

Those are some pretty nice lil baby aptasia in that first pic. They are growing all around the edge of the dead area. If you dont allready have those in your tank, you might wanna get the piece out anyway. They will cause problems in most tanks later on.
If you want to grow this coral out, and you dont have aptasia allready, then just frag a couple of tips and put the rest in your recycle bin. Why risk your tank for a piece that should take more than a couple of months to grow out nicely anyway? Most people wouldnt want aptasia growing in their tank.

 

[quest4JC]

Those are some pretty nice lil baby aptasia in that first pic. They are growing all around the edge of the dead area. If you dont allready have those in your tank, you might wanna get the piece out anyway. They will cause problems in most tanks later on.
If you want to grow this coral out, and you dont have aptasia allready, then just frag a couple of tips and put the rest in your recycle bin. Why risk your tank for a piece that should take more than a couple of months to grow out nicely anyway? Most people wouldnt want aptasia growing in their tank.

I'm most likely going to do that. I haven't been comfortable with it since I got it but felt bad cutting up such a big piece. On to fragging 101, first I have to find me some frag plugs locally. Thanks Dave

 

[ChicagoReefOne]

I'm most likely going to do that. I haven't been comfortable with it since I got it but felt bad cutting up such a big piece. On to fragging 101, first I have to find me some frag plugs locally. Thanks Dave

You an glue right to the rock or small rocks, you don't need frag plugs necessarily. Best to get the aptasia out ASAP IMO.

 

[rogerwilco357]

what type of coral is that ?I know it's sps but is it acropora or monti?