tissue necrosis

[sowellj]

Well, I am experiencing some STN. The tank is a 180 gallon, running 3-400W halides w/20K radiums. Circulation is accomplished w/2 vortech MP40s and 2 tunze 6085s. Salinity is maintained using an Osmolator. Ca and Alk are dosed using BRS dosers. Temperature swing is between 78 to 79.5. Nitrate is around 1 ppm, a bit less perhaps. Phosphate is not detectable. Calcium is holding around 420. Alk between 7 and 7.5. I am still getting the alk dialed in. The tank is a zeovit tank. Dosing includes zeobac, zeostart, sponge power, coral vitalizer, and potassium.

The tank is pretty young, up and running since January. However, as the title says, I've got some pieces w/STN. I am having some difficulty nailing down a cause as it is not a global phenomena. Other pieces are doing well. Initially I was thinking it was a flow issue, as the ones that were affected were in high flow areas and showing necrosis on the side of the coral exposed to flow. However, other pieces were subsequently affected that were not in as high flow of an environment. Montis are losing color as well. Hopefully it will run its course with minimal casualties. Any ideas to cause?

Too much flow ... too much light ... too little nutrients in the water ... potassium off (it is around 350, though the test is difficult to read)

Thanks for the input.

 

[neoalchemist74]

I' been having a similar prob. Is your necrosis starting from the tips at all or on parts of CERTAIN acros that are exposed to high light. In my case most of my montis were affected first? I'm not running zeovite, yet, but I was suspecting potassium OD very stongly as I was dosing w/out a kit.

 

[sowellj]

Not, not from the tips. Typically from the base. However some have shown a neucrotic strip, for lack of a better description. This is what led me to beleive that it was perhaps a flow issue for some of them.

 

[neoalchemist74]

are you running GFO?

 

[sowellj]

No on the GFO. I have been testing alk and Ca every other day for the past two months and there have been no large swings in either.

 

[neoalchemist74]

what are youtesting phos with?

 

[rigleautomotive]

Your tank may be too young for SPS.4 months ,it can be tough to keep some of the more sensitive acroporas for sure.Then you dial in all the things you are dosing and it gives you many possibilities for failure.I would think going basic but diligent on maintenence along with giving it time would be good advise.

 

[sowellj]

what are youtesting phos with?

phosphate is tested w/an elos kit. I don't think it is a phosphate issue as there is no nuissance algae to speak of. However, it definately wouldn't hurt to pick up a Hanna meter.

Rigle- I agree it may be a premature for SPS and thus difficult to nail down a root cause.

Water changes are are approximately 10% a week by volume, but this is done on a daily automated basis using dual head pump.