SPS didn't like a temp spike... What now?

[srusso]

So the other day my temp spiked to 83 degrees. (First time I had to put AC on in the house, a door was closed... Blah blah blah)



Everything else in the tank handled the temp spike fine but my blue tipped acro isn't looking so great... It's also very close to the water surface...



Polyps aren't extending, blue tips are now purple/tan and as you can see it's starting to die...

What now?!

 

[firebirdude]

Nothing you can do now. Just a water change and time.

On a related note, it looks like you have some serious temp swings from day to night. A solid 5 degree swing every single day is quite a bit. And although I'll agree 83 degree is high, it's nothing crazy. My tank is over 81 every single day of the year ( ) and my SPS do just fine.

 

[travis32]

I wouldn't worry about the temp swings as long as they are relatively consistant. I think temp swings are actually good for tanks, it improves the viability of corals and other livestock living through a crisis such as power outtages and the such.. 83 may be approaching the too warm temp though...

 

[srusso]

Nothing you can do now. Just a water change and time.

On a related note, it looks like you have some serious temp swings from day to night. A solid 5 degree swing every single day is quite a bit. And although I'll agree 83 degree is high, it's nothing crazy. My tank is over 81 every single day of the year ( ) and my SPS do just fine.

Yeah, didn't notice the temp was swinging like that until my MH wasn't on that day when it should have been... If you look at the next days later in the week that is what my tank temp is normally...

 

[firebirdude]

Yeah, didn't notice the temp was swinging like that until my MH wasn't on that day when it should have been... If you look at the next days later in the week that is what my tank temp is normally...

Ever occur that maybe the MH malfunction was the cause of your problem?:frog:

And I noticed the stability in the later days. Figured that was when you started running the A/C in the house. Consider yourself lucky. My A/C runs a solid 10 months of the year. High seer ratings ftw.

 

[srusso]

Ever occur that maybe the MH malfunction was the cause of your problem?:frog:

And I noticed the stability in the later days. Figured that was when you started running the A/C in the house. Consider yourself lucky. My A/C runs a solid 10 months of the year. High seer ratings ftw.

No the MH is set to turn off when the tank hits a temp, as a safety... It's the first time it's happened.... Love my apex controller.

 

[srusso]

You think I would have seen the temp! It's showing 24/7 on a screen!

 

[firebirdude]

Ahhh gotcha. Looks like you have temps under control now. Nothing you can really do about any coral damage that may have been done. Just keep water/flow quality up and give it time.

 

[srusso]

Ahhh gotcha. Looks like you have temps under control now. Nothing you can really do about any coral damage that may have been done. Just keep water/flow quality up and give it time.

Thanks

 

[srusso]

Well it seems like it has stopped getting any worse. A few polyps are back out again and tips seem be changing back to blue. I think this was a combination of two things.

1. The temp spike... As stated before

2. A does of Alk (let me explain)

I looked back at my maintenance log and remember that I had a fish in the sump at the time and felt it would harm the fish if I dosed in my normal spot. So I tried to dose into my power head but had to stop b/c I saw how close the Acro had grown to it. The alk appeared to disperse rather fast but the damage must have been done already.

Here is a picture of it today.

 

[firebirdude]

Looks worse in places. And better in other places. Since ANY places look better, that means it's on the up swing.

 

[lordofthereef]

I doubt that was caused by the temp spike of only 83 degrees unless it was a very long period of time and I find, even that, dubious. Likely a result of the alk you mentioned.

 

[srusso]

I doubt that was caused by the temp spike of only 83 degrees unless it was a very long period of time and I find, even that, dubious. Likely a result of the alk you mentioned.

Totally a live and learn moment... Sucks and there is little I can do now I guess... Should I try and remove dead stuff?

 

[tmz]

I would snip off the dead branches a quarter inch into good tissue. Be sure to look under the branch for dead spots too. I'd also snip a clean frag and keep it just in case the colony rtns.

 

[srusso]

I would snip off the dead branches a quarter inch into good tissue. Be sure to look under the branch for dead spots too. I'd also snip a clean frag and keep it just in case the colony rtns.

Thanks