Sps RTN’s when Fragging

JAMSOURY · Mar 26, 2020

Anyone know why sometimes when you cut sps, the frag just rtn’s overnight? Even if it’s a good clean cut, seems to just happens sometimes

dwest · Mar 26, 2020

I’m far from an expert here. But Ive heard there are some acros that you should leave the frag on the mother colony for period of time. I’ve never needed to do that but it might be something to research or try.

bobby.w.hodges · Mar 26, 2020

Are you dipping the frags? Do you keep them in the same column of water or move to a different system?

gatorbait01 · Mar 26, 2020

I have had the same issue. It has mostly been 2 specific tenuis in my tank. No dipping and they remain in the same tank.

ycnibrc · Mar 26, 2020

JAMSOURY said:
Anyone know why sometimes when you cut sps, the frag just rtn’s overnight? Even if it’s a good clean cut, seems to just happens sometimes

The key word is sometime it's happened. Sps will rtn when they feel stress or change in the environment from fragging or moving it to different place therefore changing the flow or light intensity.

Crustaceon · Mar 26, 2020

I believe the theory behind rtn is bacterial infection generated by stress, whether it’s from parameter swings, light intensity or fragging. It kinda makes sense considering many of us dip our corals in iodine or other medicated solutions after fragging to help them heal faster.

bobby.w.hodges · Mar 27, 2020

Are you fully covering the cut with glue? I always try to make sure that I seal the cut so that it doesn't get infected.

JAMSOURY · Mar 27, 2020

bobby.w.hodges said:
Are you fully covering the cut with glue? I always try to make sure that I seal the cut so that it doesn't get infected.

That’s a good idea, I’m going to give that a try.

When it did happen to me last, it went from high light intensity to low light intensity. Should be less stressful that way than the other way around, right?

ScottB · Mar 27, 2020

JAMSOURY said:
That’s a good idea, I’m going to give that a try.

When it did happen to me last, it went from high light intensity to low light intensity. Should be less stressful that way than the other way around, right?

Intuitively yes, high to low. I really try to keep the new frag adjacent to where the mother colony is / was.

In general, I don't have issues but sometimes... hard to explain. I find the mother colonies actually kinda do better after trimming.