Carbon, HLLE and Zoanthids

[BadgerReefer]

My yellow tang appears to have slowly progressive HLLE. I don't think anything in my parameters is to blame (ph 8.1-8.2, temp 77-77.5, alk 8.4-8.8, Ca 440-480, Mg 1400-1440, nitrates 1-2, phos 0.1). No tankmate problems. No stray voltage. Do regular water changes. So I'm left thinking that carbon may be the problem. I've run ROX0.8 in the system since I started it (before the yellow tang). I would like to remove the carbon to see if that helps, but I have several colonies of zoanthids in the tank. I'm concerned that without carbon filtering out palytoxin that the fish and other corals may suffer from this.

Two questions for the group:
1) Have you successfully kept zoas without carbon (no harm to other fish/corals)?
2) Has anyone successfully treated HLLE by stopping ROX0.8 carbon? Everything I've read suggests that only lignite and lower-end carbons are the problem.

Thanks!

 

[Hemmdog]

My yellow tang appears to have slowly progressive HLLE. I don't think anything in my parameters is to blame (ph 8.1-8.2, temp 77-77.5, alk 8.4-8.8, Ca 440-480, Mg 1400-1440, nitrates 1-2, phos 0.1). No tankmate problems. No stray voltage. Do regular water changes. So I'm left thinking that carbon may be the problem. I've run ROX0.8 in the system since I started it (before the yellow tang). I would like to remove the carbon to see if that helps, but I have several colonies of zoanthids in the tank. I'm concerned that without carbon filtering out palytoxin that the fish and other corals may suffer from this.

Two questions for the group:
1) Have you successfully kept zoas without carbon (no harm to other fish/corals)?
2) Has anyone successfully treated HLLE by stopping ROX0.8 carbon? Everything I've read suggests that only lignite and lower-end carbons are the problem.

Thanks!

My yellow tang has the same issue, I don’t understand why either. I usually use no carbon, and when I do need to use it for nitrate control I use chemipure blue which has high quality carbon in it.
I wouldn’t worry about needing carbon for palytoxin at all. With your nitrates that low you should pull that out for sure. That may be some of the problem, tangs don’t have as good of a slime coat as other fish, if you have low nutrient and are stripping the water even more I could theorize that would escalate hlle.

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

My yellow tang appears to have slowly progressive HLLE. I don't think anything in my parameters is to blame (ph 8.1-8.2, temp 77-77.5, alk 8.4-8.8, Ca 440-480, Mg 1400-1440, nitrates 1-2, phos 0.1). No tankmate problems. No stray voltage. Do regular water changes. So I'm left thinking that carbon may be the problem. I've run ROX0.8 in the system since I started it (before the yellow tang). I would like to remove the carbon to see if that helps, but I have several colonies of zoanthids in the tank. I'm concerned that without carbon filtering out palytoxin that the fish and other corals may suffer from this.

Two questions for the group:
1) Have you successfully kept zoas without carbon (no harm to other fish/corals)?
2) Has anyone successfully treated HLLE by stopping ROX0.8 carbon? Everything I've read suggests that only lignite and lower-end carbons are the problem.

Thanks!

What are you feeding the YT? What size tank is he in?

 

[BadgerReefer]

What are you feeding the YT? What size tank is he in?

He's in a 36" 60 gallon, but he's still small (3") - plan to move him to a bigger home as he grows (if he survives ;Nailbiting)

Unlike most tangs, he's not a fan of Nori. I also feed Selcon-soaked Mysis, but when I soak it, he doesn't seem to eat it - only when I don't soak it. So, I now actually have a sheet of live sea lettuce in the tank at all time for him to eat. That he chows down on. So, I think I've also done what I can to target potential nutritional deficiencies.

Any other thoughts on the carbon, zoa issue? Thanks.

 

[Hemmdog]

He's in a 36" 60 gallon, but he's still small (3") - plan to move him to a bigger home as he grows (if he survives ;Nailbiting)

Unlike most tangs, he's not a fan of Nori. I also feed Selcon-soaked Mysis, but when I soak it, he doesn't seem to eat it - only when I don't soak it. So, I now actually have a sheet of live sea lettuce in the tank at all time for him to eat. That he chows down on. So, I think I've also done what I can to target potential nutritional deficiencies.

Any other thoughts on the carbon, zoa issue? Thanks.

What do you mean zoa issue?

 

[BadgerReefer]

One of my original questions about keeping zoas without carbon. Sounds like you think it wouldn't be a problem. Have you actually done that. All the hype about palytoxin has made me nervous...

 

[Hemmdog]

One of my original questions about keeping zoas without carbon. Sounds like you think it wouldn't be a problem. Have you actually done that. All the hype about palytoxin has made me nervous...

Oh I see. Yea my smaller tank my biocube 32 has no carbon, tons of palys and zoas. It had no issues, healthy fish, no harm to me putting my hands in the tank or anything. Marine animals are use to it as well and doesent harm them. Some fish even eat palys and zoas lol.

 

[BadgerReefer]

Oh I see. Yea my smaller tank my biocube 32 has no carbon, tons of palys and zoas. It had no issues, healthy fish, no harm to me putting my hands in the tank or anything. Marine animals are use to it as well and doesent harm them. Some fish even eat palys and zoas lol.

Good to know. It sounds like there are just a few types of zoas (much less common in the hobby) that are the real nasties. Thanks for the help!

 

[Hemmdog]

Good to know. It sounds like there are just a few types of zoas (much less common in the hobby) that are the real nasties. Thanks for the help!

Anytime! Yea the ones that are “dangerous” are the ugly fat brown ones that no one would willingly buy. If it’s bright your in the clear haha.