Whats causing STN or Burnt Tips?

[cleverbs]

I have one frag that is losing the flesh on the very tips. It is a Mariecultured Coral and I know they can be tricky. I have had it for a few months and it looked great up till a few days ago. Its PE has decreased however its still got good color. Its got good PE on the bottom half of the coral and a little pe on the top but none on the tips and it looks like the flesh is dying off on the tips.

I checked my params and they look good.

Po4 - .05
Po3 - 0-5ppm
Cal - 430
Mag - 1360
Alk - 8.0
Ph - 8.2

Lighting is MH

 

[1MP3R1AL]

Burnt tips usually means high ALK, or ALK spike.

 

[cleverbs]

Well my alk isnt high and I havent had a spike. I just cant tell whats really happening to the coral because its so minimul but I know its happening. i can see a little bit of flesh peeling away in the flow. But its just a tiny amount right on the tips.

 

[1MP3R1AL]

For what it's worth, try testing a few different times during the day. It could be when your testing params are normal, but right after dosing is when your ALK could be high and your corals consume fast to balance it.

 

[cleverbs]

I am not dosing right now though. I have a 270g system with about 15 frags in the frag tank and thats it for corals so I dont need to dose yet.

 

[Nibrown9]

too strong of flow or direct flow ripping the flesh away?

 

[cleverbs]

That is what I think it may of been, I have moved it out of the flow to see if that helps. Its still in strong flow but not direct in anyway

 

[cleverbs]

So the coral isnt having any more tissue loss but its tips still are without tissue. I am thinking maybe I should break the tips off of the coral to get it to start healing? This is a wild colonie so I am thinking its just being touchy. The base and about half way up the branches it has PE.

What do you think of breaking off the tips?

 

[Nibrown9]

Wait and see what happens, if it starts growing algae the cut off but I'd leave it alone right now

 

[cleverbs]

It is growing algae well kinda? its just a hint of green.

 

[Nibrown9]

If it starts to get coraline algae then it's not salvageable

 

[cleverbs]

its not its just some little green fuzzy stuff. I just notice it happening and well dont you think breaking tips would be the best way to go? I dont see how it will just rebound in its current state.

 

[eskymick]

I've seen burnt tips having been caused by an overdose of ozone. If you're using ozone, the ORP should be carefully monitored.

 

[cleverbs]

nope no use of Ozone

 

[cleverbs]

Last night I BROKE the tips of instead of cutting them. I broke them off right under the area that was dying off and put them in a bit lower light. We will see how it heals/ if it heals.

 

[thanhreef]

do you use activated carbon? you might watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvP0686gLWc

 

[JayVIP]

Wow that is very interesting. I suppose this would be the case if you are using excessive amounts of high grade carbon in newer tanks. Also the same case for running GFO in new tanks.

 

[cleverbs]

I do run carbon but I run very little and the tank is 1.5 years old

 

[cleverbs]

Watched the video however and maybe ill try to remove the carbon and see what happens.

 

[cleverbs]

Iv got to say the coral is looking better. Its not losing any more flesh and has much much better PE.