SPS Issues

[terry4505]

Hey all,

I'm experiencing weird STN on a few (but not all) of my SPS colonies. The tissue is receding from the middle of the colonies, not the base as I have seen before.

Where the issue is receding, I am getting what look like little brown tube worms growing on the skeleton.

My Alk is a constant 9.0 dosed throughout the day
Cal 420
Mag 1400

Lights are two Gen 3 radions and 4 48" T5s (two daylight, one actinic, one fiji purple)

Flow is provided via Gyre, MP-10 and Jebao WP-25.

Many colonies are growing and flourishing, just these few seem to be having issues.

I added a sixline wrasse, thinking it might be a pest of some sort. I also was thinking it might be one or both of my Potters or Flame angels.

A good look at the brown tube worms:

And a few of the really healthy colonies:

Thanks for the input

 

[polywise]

looks like flatworms to me..
they could be agitating that coral & creating the issue..

Also pic 2 looks like you have a new colony glued in place -- maybe you picked something up with that purchase. Do you Dip your coral treating for pests before putting into your tank?

 

[fishguy597]

I'd take a turkey baster or powerhead to the corals and see what comes off. If you have an ATO I'd check your salinity.

 

[Raven_aus]

Flat worms be my guess. Check the flesh of the stn corals for circular bite marks. Flat worms usually leave a trail that makes your coral look like it has white spots. If you have a coral dip take the coral out and dip it to see what will fall off. Best to cut it from the dead base before the necrosis takes the whole piece.

 

[g0rilla]

I would be any money acropora eating flatworms

 

[rovster]

Not saying it's not AEFW but definitely does not scream it to me. This sort of STN is usually a chemistry issue. Usually when AEFW cause that much recession, the coral looks more ragged overall. I'd also expect to see a ton of bite marks with that much damage as well. Any recent temp spikes? Alk spikes?

 

[catman78]

Are u running GFO?

 

[Spaul]

Flatworms visible

 

[jjoos99]

I am seeing the exact same issues with some of my corals lately. Some are happy but most have decreased p/e and some with the same stn. How are your colors? Mine are still really well on most of the corals. There are a few that have faded out. Right now I am thinking nutrient levels are too low. I had been running a sulfur reactor for nitrate along with an strong skimmer. I probably can get away with not cleaning the glass in a good week or more. Mine have stopped growing also. I have tested my phos and it is at .07ppm and nitrate shows some color change (salifert kit) but not matching the color on the color chart. The only thing that I see with my test kits is my calcium it high at 500.
You didnt mention what your phos and nitrates levels are? Might need to dirty things up some. I started feeding alittle heavier and shut down my skimmer last night.
Please post up if you find anything else causing your problems.
Jeff

 

[ReefBum]

Not saying it's not AEFW but definitely does not scream it to me. This sort of STN is usually a chemistry issue. Usually when AEFW cause that much recession, the coral looks more ragged overall. I'd also expect to see a ton of bite marks with that much damage as well. Any recent temp spikes? Alk spikes?

Agreed. I never had that much recession when I had AEFW.