Help!

[ebencic2]

I recently got this new acro colony two weeks ago. It has been fine until today woke up and it looks like the flesh is falling off of the skeleton. All my other acropora are fine. Does anyone know what is going on and how to help?
Tank has been running about 1.5 years.
Ca-420
Mg-1280
Alk-9.2
No3-20
Po4-0.25

 

[Formulator]

Your parameters look good. Was that a ‘divers den’ colony from the wild? They tend to be hit or miss even for the most experienced reefers.

How is your flow and what lighting?

 

[ebencic2]

Your parameters look good. Was that a ‘divers den’ colony from the wild? They tend to be hit or miss even for the most experienced reefers.

How is your flow and what lighting?

I have 2 Red Sea 160s over a 75 gallon. Running the red sea 5500 at 60% (roughly 870 gph) and an mp10. I’m not 100% on if it was from the wild.

 

[Reef Jedi]

That’s a nice colony! Is it getting hit with direct flow on the bottom half? That could possibly cause tissue damage.

 

[ebencic2]

That’s a nice colony! Is it getting hit with direct flow on the bottom half? That could possibly cause tissue damage.

It definitely is getting hit more on the bottom now that you say that. I am going to move it and see if it improves. The flow causing damage would make sense as the top of the acro looks amazing.

 

[Formulator]

Direct flow maybe a problem, but I have a feeling we could be dealing with a lack of flow based on the OP only having an MP10 in addition to the return pump. I suggest adding another powerhead for SPS in a 75 gallon.

For comparison, I have an MP40, plus 2 maxspect gyres, and a cheap jebao in my 120g. That’s all in addition to my Iwaki return pump running at about 1000 GPH. My reef is mixed and everything does well with the high flow.

 

[Formulator]

It definitely is getting hit more on the bottom now that you say that. I am going to move it and see if it improves. The flow causing damage would make sense as the top of the acro looks amazing.

Ok, try adjusting so it gets more random indirect flow. Along the lines of my previous comment, it still may be a good idea to invest in a second pump. This way you can aim them at each other and get the turbulent random flow the acros love.

 

[UMALUM]

While a lot of us can get away with 20 + nitrate growing out our aquacultured sticks it can be quite the shock to a wild piece that hasn't been properly acclimated. I would also guess it's not appreciating the p04 either. Unfortunately SDR is usually not treatable but I would still try and cut a couple chunks off the top and place them in low light.