SPS developing a thick tissue

[HudsonReefer2.0]

The drastic changes in Nitrates from prior to August to October are most likely showing their effects in full force on the system right about now. You main big 3 have also been all over the place over the last 6 months.

Probably not what you want to hear, but the system most likely just needs a long steady period of stability without anymore drastic changes in parameters, lighting, flow etc.

What Dan said.

 

[TCK Corals Verified Sponsor]

If the rest of the corals look good I wouldn’t chase things for a frag. Some do well and some don’t.

This. In the end, trying to chase for a single coral, could ultimately be detrimental to all of the other tank inhabitants, and stress them out. a fully stressed system with too many changes happening usually leads to one place - and a place no one wants to go or experience - a system crash.

 

[Chee-tomorpha]

The drastic changes in Nitrates from prior to August to October are most likely showing their effects in full force on the system right about now. You main big 3 have also been all over the place over the last 6 months.

Probably not what you want to hear, but the system most likely just needs a long steady period of stability without anymore drastic changes in parameters, lighting, flow etc.

There is a wealth of information and methods to keeping SPS. I would pick one methodology, and stick with it without trying too many different things at once.

I appreciate your help. I agree parameters have been all over the place. I try not to interfere as much as possible and has been paying off with keeping SPS alive.

If the thick tissue isn't a concern I will practice more patients and slowly get my parameters more stable since I have maxed out my lighting.

 

[TCK Corals Verified Sponsor]

I appreciate your help. I agree parameters have been all over the place. I try not to interfere as much as possible and has been paying off with keeping SPS alive.

If the thick tissue isn't a concern I will practice more patients and slowly get my parameters more stable since I have maxed out my lighting.

The thick tissue may be more of a symptom, and should resolve once the tank stabilizes, though IME when corals start to look funny like that, it's usually a longer road to recovery for those pieces.

edit: There is always a chance though once the damage is done, it may not ever recover. But providing the piece the best habitat ensures the greatest chances that it starts thriving once again.

Happy reefing,
Dan

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

Are you still using nopox @Chee-tomorpha

 

[Chee-tomorpha]

Yes, dosing 2ml daily. I've redone my dosers and tubing. Before the incident I had super long runs of tubing. Not they're direct and short.

 

[Chee-tomorpha]

I stick my dosers at the top of the cabinets but here's my new tubing work. Seems to be working fine for a month now. I don't have to check if there are air bubbles in the lines anymore.

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

Yes, dosing 2ml daily. I've redone my dosers and tubing. Before the incident I had super long runs of tubing. Not they're direct and short.

So you’re dosing no3/po4 just to have the nopox reduce them again? Doesn’t make any sense to me.

 

[Perry]

Holy smokes,
What and why are you dosing so much stuff? I get 2 or 3 part, but the rest, huh? WHAT???
1ST off, carbon dosing at 1ppm N03 and .04ppm P04 and hardly a bioload, not a great idea. This looks to be a case of the mad scientist looking at too many variables whole overlooking the basics. Strong lighting, good flow, lots of fish, food, a means to export, and a means to replace minerals used in skeletal building. Maybe a bit of passive carbon, too remove incidental chemicals. All that other stuff is just leading you on a headless, wild goose chase ;) Try the KISS method

 

[Chee-tomorpha]

So you’re dosing no3/po4 just to have the nopox reduce them again? Doesn’t make any sense to me.

I guess that doesn't make much sense hehe. I had it on since I had a spike to 15 nitrate. I also dose reef energy AB+ so I thought it may help to keep a little going so nitrates don't get too high.

Should I stop completely?

 

[Chee-tomorpha]

Holy smokes,
What and why are you dosing so much stuff? I get 2 or 3 part, but the rest, huh? WHAT???
1ST off, carbon dosing at 1ppm N03 and .04ppm P04 and hardly a bioload, not a great idea. This looks to be a case of the mad scientist looking at too many variables whole overlooking the basics. Strong lighting, good flow, lots of fish, food, a means to export, and a means to replace minerals used in skeletal building. Maybe a bit of passive carbon, too remove incidental chemicals. All that other stuff is just leading you on a headless, wild goose chase ;) Try the KISS method

Yeah it's a bit crazy in there lol.

So I have the basic stuff, alk, ca, mg. Then I have NOPOX, reef energy, and RS colors program.

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

I guess that doesn't make much sense hehe. I had it on since I had a spike to 15 nitrate. I also dose reef energy AB+ so I thought it may help to keep a little going so nitrates don't get too high.

Should I stop completely?

I’m a known nopox hater. I believe it’s an sps frag poison…..but even if it’s not….you should take a look on the side of the bottle and read what range Red Sea recommends for sps frags. Its much higher than what you’re running.

 

[Perry]

Yeah it's a bit crazy in there lol.

So I have the basic stuff, alk, ca, mg. Then I have NOPOX, reef energy, and RS colors program.

Take it from me, I am a known carbon/bacteria source guy, and all I can say is save your $, buy better lights, fish, and more coral. Trace only consumes at fraction rate of alk/ca, heck, mg can be hand dosed. Water changes with a good salt covers you on trace. I do none of that and have 57 acros in my tank, lol

 

[Chee-tomorpha]

I’m a known nopox hater. I believe it’s an sps frag poison…..but even if it’s not….you should take a look on the side of the bottle and read what range Red Sea recommends for sps frags. Its much higher than what you’re running.

It's definitely higher than what I'm dosing at the moment. I don't know if it is doing anything but I continue to dose because of the bacteria being food for the corals. I also have two Maxima's now, just added another because I got excited the first one didn't just die haha.

 

[Reefer45C]

I would definitely listen to @Perry @TCK Corals & Charlie's Frags on what they say about nutrients... I ran my tank heavy in heavy out for a long time... then I mixed things up and it switched, the tank DID NOT like it... Long story short, these guys are the real deal in reefing, and they have the proof to show it... Get your nutrients up, find a stable spot and let it coast. Do what I do, write down everything and document with pictures on your phone. I am local to Dan and have ton of his coral in my tank, I can vouch for him, just like others can... listen to him and these guys... Happy reefing!!!

 

[Chee-tomorpha]

Take it from me, I am a known carbon/bacteria source guy, and all I can say is save your $, buy better lights, fish, and more coral. Trace only consumes at fraction rate of alk/ca, heck, mg can be hand dosed. Water changes with a good salt covers you on trace. I do none of that and have 57 acros in my tank, lol

I appreciate all the help so far.

I'm just a little hesitant to cut it off. I started using the colors program when I did my rebuild. I cant say for sure if the it is helping but one of my only surviving coral, a torch of some kind, seems to be displaying the best color I have ever seen it display.

My trace elements are dosed every 5 days I believe, dosing a single day's amount on the bottle. So it's a tiny amount.

 

[TCK Corals Verified Sponsor]

I appreciate all the help so far.

I'm just a little hesitant to cut it off. I started using the colors program when I did my rebuild. I cant say for sure if the it is helping but one of my only surviving coral, a torch of some kind, seems to be displaying the best color I have ever seen it display.

My trace elements are dosed every 5 days I believe, dosing a single day's amount on the bottle. So it's a tiny amount.

Be careful with the traces, without ICP testing, or a way to measure what you are adding to the system. The RS Colors system covers a wide array of traces, some of which can be quite deadly if overdosed. You mentioned dosing a single day's amount per 5 days... is this based on their per calcium consumption instructions? I highly recommend getting a few reputable ICP's and seeing what the levels are, and what the consumption looks like.

 

[TCK Corals Verified Sponsor]

Be careful with the traces, without ICP testing, or a way to measure what you are adding to the system. The RS Colors system covers a wide array of traces, some of which can be quite deadly if overdosed. You mentioned dosing a single day's amount per 5 days... is this based on their per calcium consumption instructions? I highly recommend getting a few reputable ICP's and seeing what the levels are, and what the consumption looks like.

Based on just looking at the photos of your tank, i'd wager the consumption isn't crazy across the board and the red sea traces are could potentially be unnecessary, and as @Perry mentioned above, waterchanges with a well balanced salt could replenish, or you could switch to a well balanced 3/4part alk/ca/mg with balanced traces.

As corals grow or new corals are added, the tank will become more densely populated as a result, and consumption will exponentially increase to where waterchanges or 3/4part won't keep up in a balanced way. At this point, RS Colors or another trace method should be considered

 

[Chee-tomorpha]

Be careful with the traces, without ICP testing, or a way to measure what you are adding to the system. The RS Colors system covers a wide array of traces, some of which can be quite deadly if overdosed. You mentioned dosing a single day's amount per 5 days... is this based on their per calcium consumption instructions? I highly recommend getting a few reputable ICP's and seeing what the levels are, and what the consumption looks like.

When starting the program I read that iodine could be deadly if overdosed. I went safe and decided on my schedule since I haven't done any ICP or home tests for the trace elements.

Yes the single dose based on the bottle dosage, but a reduced % amount since my corals are just starting. I plan on increasing the amount to full dosage when demand for calcium starts to deplete faster, then adjust interval when corals are grown and calcium uptake accelerates.

I am guessing the current small amount could be corrected with regular water changes, which is performed once a month on this tank. That is my hope anyways.

 

[Chee-tomorpha]

Based on just looking at the photos of your tank, i'd wager the consumption isn't crazy across the board and the red sea traces are could potentially be unnecessary, and as @Perry mentioned above, waterchanges with a well balanced salt could replenish, or you could switch to a well balanced 3/4part alk/ca/mg with balanced traces.

As corals grow or new corals are added, the tank will become more densely populated as a result, and consumption will exponentially increase to where waterchanges or 3/4part won't keep up in a balanced way. At this point, RS Colors or another trace method should be considered

That is my conclusion as well, and reason for such a low dose. I use instant ocean salts since I got a great deal on them. I figure maybe a small dose of trace may help. I'm transitioning to red sea salt but using up what's left before then.