Signs of dying or growth?

[mikeintosh]

I got these pieces a few weeks back and they were doing well. This past week, though, I noticed some white growing on the tips. At first I thought it looked like new growth, but now I'm not so sure. Can anyone help identify if what this is?

Thanks

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[Ross33]

That looks like STN. Have you checkec your alk or had any swings lately?

 

[mikeintosh]

I was afraid of that. Last water change I did switch salts so in hoping that's it. What is stn btw?

Ill have to check alkalinity and see if it did swing. Thanks for response.

 

[jerpa]

STN is slow tissue necrosis

RTN is rapid tissue necrosis

It's a symptom and the causes can be just about anything but I'd start with the basics like alkalinity and proper flow and lighting first.

 

[Dmorty217]

STN is slow tissue necrosis

RTN is rapid tissue necrosis

It's a symptom and the causes can be just about anything but I'd start with the basics like alkalinity and proper flow and lighting first.

Figure it out quick this will more than likely happen to all of the SPS you have unless you correct your problem whatever it maybe. I would cut the dying parts off and dip the coral to give it a fighting chance

 

[MadScientistWRX]

Can you take a picture of the crests on those SPS? How new are they? They look to be fairly new frags.

 

[mikeintosh]

What type of dip do you suggest and what is the crest?

I'll try to cut them off as well as confirm the water params. Should I do another water change with the original salt or will this just cause another spike?

I've had the corals for probably a little under 2 weeks.

 

[Dmorty217]

Revive or coralRX. What is your alk now? What was the salt you were previously using mixing alk at? How big is your tank? A water change will only change out a small portion of old water as compared to new. In that it will take 8 more or so water changes to have all of the old salt water out of the tank. Lastly what salt are you using now?! And what does that Salk mix at with alk and cal

 

[mikeintosh]

Current tank alkalinity was measured at 10 but ph dropped to 8.0 since last check a week ago (from 8.2). Can a ph swing cause this?

Forgot to mention... tank is 100g, running 2 250w se mh, mp40 in reef crest mode running at 75% for flow.

 

[dkeller_nc]

Current tank alkalinity was measured at 10 but ph dropped to 8.0 since last check a week ago (from 8.2). Can a ph swing cause this?

Forgot to mention... tank is 100g, running 2 250w se mh, mp40 in reef crest mode running at 75% for flow.

The pH is largely irrelevant to a reef tank unless it's way out of whack (less than 7.9, more than 8.4, or a large swing in a short period of time). An alkalinity of 10 is pretty high, though not shockingly so. I've not personally experienced this, but there are numerous reports of issues with high alkalinity, very low nutrients and intense lighting on the forum.

 

[MammothReefer]

alk of 10 isn't anything crazy or to be worried about as long as you keep it steady. Burnt tips like that can be the result of increase your alk to quickly.

 

[Showdizzle]

alk of 10 isn't anything crazy or to be worried about as long as you keep it steady. Burnt tips like that can be the result of increase your alk to quickly.

+1. Some of my SPS got white at the tips when I corrected my alk to rapidly.

 

[mikeintosh]

Took a Mg test and was pretty low... ~980. Currently taking steps to slowly bring it up. Now making sure everything is right and consistent so I can narrow this issue down. Still have to chop off dead parts, but is it absolutely necessary? Or can the pieces recover on their own? Really hate to see the already small frag get smaller.

On a side note, is the rate of growth of coralline algae any indication how balanced the levels are for coral growth? I was using it as a rough guide initially since the coralline was spreading so fast on the acrylic and rocks.

 

[tilo]

"balanced", I think of levels that are where they are supposed to be for what corals you have. coralline algae can grow with lower perameters than what sps need from my experience and yours (mag low).

I think the right thing to say is that its staying "constant" long enough to explode on your tank and rocks.
I think the way you were using it as a "rough guide" was very safe by the way. I think I did the same thing and after I had that down I transitioned to buying quality test kits that applied to me ie. calcium,magnesium,alkalinity,phosphates, ect. Just some opinions
Sorry no good advice for you, Im going to tag along and edumacate myself as well.

*Also, when I had a coral that had recession enough to where I could trim it I did, I dont know if its a false belief of mine but at the store I would receive some pieces that had decent size of recession and I wouldnt trim it and eventually brown algae would grow over that part.
I would see that the brown algae would begin to cover the good skin of the coral and kill it (in very small amounts) as it covered or at least thats what I thought but the coral is stressed from transport so take it with a grain of salt.
This is something I seen with proper water, flow and lighting conditions and no trace of nitrates and phosphates. Thats just something I seen.

 

[MadScientistWRX]

What type of dip do you suggest and what is the crest?

I'll try to cut them off as well as confirm the water params. Should I do another water change with the original salt or will this just cause another spike?

I've had the corals for probably a little under 2 weeks.

The dip I use is ReVive.

The crest is the base of the coral. How long have you had the frag and does the crest show any growth?

Alk being 10 is not bad but the question should be how fast did it get there? I manage my Alk around 10-11 but I took about 2-3 weeks to proceed from 8.3

As for your pH. It is normal and quite common for it to move every few points. At night, with the illuminations off, your pH will typically swing.

 

[Ross33]

Did you get it taken care of? You can raise magnesium pretty quickly without any negative side effects IME. I'd just keep a close eye on your alk.

 

[mikeintosh]

Sorry, no real updates yet. Don't want to take anything too drastic since I don't want to shock the other pieces that seem to be doing fine. I'll try speeding up the Mg levels. Otherwise, just observing right now. Can STN spread to other corals like a sickness?

 

[Ross33]

Its not "contagious" like the flu is, but typically if one coral is stressed and STN'ing, more are likely to follow.

 

[trueblackpercula]

Both frags looked stressed and are dying. Put them in a lesser flow area and lower light until the recover but I am doubtful they will. What is your water at? Tell us more about your tank.

 

[Touring]

so that coral cant recover those tips once burnt?