Trouble with Acropora spathulata

[crlmn11]

Is anyone else having trouble keeping the Aussie Acropora spathulata corals alive long term. They seem to do fine in my tank for 2-4 months, good color, polyps extended and then they suddenly start bleaching from the bottom of the colony or one of the side branches and are gone in a few days. Even if I frag one of branches away from the bleaching area these bleach as well. Tank parameters, Temp 79-81, pH 8.1-8.2, Alk 10, Calcium 360, Magnesium 1450, Nitrate 0, PO4 .02, Lighting 8 hours of 400 watt radiums over a 300 gallon sps tank and 3 Reefbrite LEDs on 12 hours per day. Strong water movement and water changes 20% every month. All other sps are doing fine, growing, and encrusting, some colonies over 7 years old in the tank with them. Would appreciate hearing ideas of what I might be missing and if anyone is keeping them long term?

 

[SneekaPeek]

Is anyone else having trouble keeping the Aussie Acropora spathulata corals alive long term. They seem to do fine in my tank for 2-4 months, good color, polyps extended and then they suddenly start bleaching from the bottom of the colony or one of the side branches and are gone in a few days. Even if I frag one of branches away from the bleaching area these bleach as well. Tank parameters, Temp 79-81, pH 8.1-8.2, Alk 10, Calcium 360, Magnesium 1450, Nitrate 0, PO4 .02, Lighting 8 hours of 400 watt radiums over a 300 gallon sps tank and 3 Reefbrite LEDs on 12 hours per day. Strong water movement and water changes 20% every month. All other sps are doing fine, growing, and encrusting, some colonies over 7 years old in the tank with them. Would appreciate hearing ideas of what I might be missing and if anyone is keeping them long term?

my little frags are having a hard time of light acclimation and nutrient control. if something bugs, they seem to be the first to react. just my opinion. their tolerance is not as comprehendible compared to other acros.

 

[LawmanRob]

I've been able to keep them alive, just no luck keeping the pastel colors. The need high light and very strong direct flow.

 

[crlmn11]

I am keeping them at the top of the tank and have tried using 10K lamps instead of the Radiums and they are getting blasted with current, but still no luck.

 

[SneekaPeek]

I am keeping them at the top of the tank and have tried using 10K lamps instead of the Radiums and they are getting blasted with current, but still no luck.

are they bleaching out or brown? that'll give you a sense to start from. Mine have been low in the tank with pastel colors, but my system is very light bioload. Im fighting for nutrients atm, and am thinking about adding more fish to compensate.

 

[crlmn11]

They turn white, but before they have for the most part kept their colors. The tank has a heavy bioload with lots of fish

 

[SneekaPeek]

They turn white, but before they have for the most part kept their colors. The tank has a heavy bioload with lots of fish

with polyp extension? I have noticed when they fade they still have polyp extension, I contribute that to a lighting nutrient issue. next pests or alk swings causing tissue necrosis. You really have to look at the details from day to day change. All of a sudden, if its an overnight change, chances are the change in the environment happened overnight. if its decreasing health over a period of time, then there weren't right conditions from the get go. You know your tank better than anyone else. sounds to me it needs more nutrients and lower light placement.

 

[tfp]

mine is only about 1.5 years old. the wild colony was huge (crazy, scaly coralites!) but I started off with less than a 1" frag. it laid down a large base before it began branching. its up high but I only run 250w MH's and vho's.
no way I can get them huge, scaly coralites back

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