Rescued some SPS from the store

[reggiepe]

I was at my LFS today and saw that he had some SPS that continued to look worse each week that I would come in. I offered to help him out in my frag system since I had the tools. There are 4 corals that I have pics of. One of them I am pretty sure is a Hydnophora (sp?) and the other three are unknown. All but the Hydno are browning out and the tissue is receding. Can I save them as they are, or should I frag the tips off and mount. They have been slowly receding for weeks. The Hydno is the only one that really has any color to it. Is the browning out a symptom of too little light or too much light? So, my ultimate question is....should I frag them to save them?

SPS 1

SPS 2

SPS 3

SPS 4 (Hydno?) It's the one in front of the Zoas.

 

[myaerica]

Better frag em before they are compleatly dead.

 

[reefinder]

i hope you quarantined those first before putting them in your display

 

[reefinder]

I hope you quarantined those first before putting them in your display

 

[reggiepe]

They're not in the display. They are in a frag tank that houses mostly Zoa's, GSP, and Xenia. There are a couple of small frags of Orange cap and some pavona that were from broken off pieces from the display.

 

[reggiepe]

I have one for fragging them before their demise....anymore?

 

[Ricunger]

Frag them they will just spread.

 

[reggiepe]

Ok, now I have 2 for fragging them. That was my gut feeling. I have never fragged sps before when it is in this shape. So, I assume I should cut them just above where the tissue is receding. Anyone know why they have turned that dark brown color? was it the subpar lighting that they were under? (too little light) They were at the very top of the stores tank about 6 - 8 inches directly below a 150 watt metal halide. Could it mean too much light (too much photosynthesis going on?)

 

[Kataro]

I'd say nutrient level too high

 

[grego]

I think it was an Alk problem.