What is irritating my SPS?

[Brandon McHenry]

Hi all,

I am trying to figure out what could be causing this irritation on my sps corals. I’m assuming they are sending out mesenterial filaments but I can’t pin down what is causing it. It doesn’t seem to be related to any foods that I put in because I frequently see them late at night and in the early morning but I also see them throughout the day. It happens to both montipora and acropora which I have kept in the past and never had this issue. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Sweet Reef Corals Verified Sponsor]

My experience with the extended filaments is due to stress. In fact I just had a MattV Orange Envy frag start doing it about a month and a half ago. He was only in about 350 PAR but directly under a LED puck. I moved him about 4” and he’s been recovering ever since.
Any time that I’ve had these show, there has been a stressor to the coral. Either too low nutrients, too high PAR, etc.

 

[Brandon McHenry]

My experience with the extended filaments is due to stress. In fact I just had a MattV Orange Envy frag start doing it about a month and a half ago. He was only in about 350 PAR but directly under a LED puck. I moved him about 4” and he’s been recovering ever since.
Any time that I’ve had these show, there has been a stressor to the coral. Either too low nutrients, too high PAR, etc.

I agree I feel like something has to be stressing/irritating the coral. The PAR and nutrients has been mostly the same for the last several months. I run an ATI Sunpower 6x24w with PAR at the top around 550 which I don’t think is too much for T5’s. As for nutrients they’ve always been on the lower side with NO3 around 5 and PO4 around 0.03 ish but I have 5 fish in an IM Nuvo 40 and feed 5 times a day with a mix of pellets and frozen foods.

 

[Brandon McHenry]

Managed to take two close-ups just now of two acros that are currently showing filaments. Any thoughts?

 

[Sweet Reef Corals Verified Sponsor]

I am assuming a lot based on your other thread about Florida corals I follow. But how about the basic questions....
1. Your parameters
2. I also had a theory on a bad batch of salt causing this at one time as well; Did you happen to change salts or start on a new batch fairly recently?
3. Any possibility of a contaminate getting in the tank like you using a new lotion or shower soap, etc?

 

[Brandon McHenry]

I am assuming a lot based on your other thread about Florida corals I follow. But how about the basic questions....
1. Your parameters
2. I also had a theory on a bad batch of salt causing this at one time as well; Did you happen to change salts or start on a new batch fairly recently?
3. Any possibility of a contaminate getting in the tank like you using a new lotion or shower soap, etc?

First off thanks for following my other threads! I guess the first big difference is that those are work tanks and this is a home tank so I have slightly different approaches but nothing crazy.

Parameters are as follows from this weekend’s water test.

Ca-410 (salifert)
Alk-7.0 (Hanna)
Mg-1320 (salifert)
K-410 (salifert)
NO3-7 (salifert)
PO4-0.006 (Hanna ULR phosphorus)
Salinity-35ppt (refractometer calibrated with BRS Refracto juice)
Temp-78-81F (digital thermometer)

Ive had the same batch of Brightwell NeoMarine Salt for the last few months. I do shake the bucket up to remix the crystals before mixing with water.

Not aware of any potential contaminants, I always rinse my hands with warm water before going into the tank. I usually don’t have anything on my hands anyways. Unless the contaminant is inside the tank but I run BRS ROX 0.8 carbon in a media bag for any potential contaminant. I have noticed quite a lot of particulate material floating around the tank and am not sure if that could be impacting anything?

 

[Sweet Reef Corals Verified Sponsor]

First off thanks for following my other threads! I guess the first big difference is that those are work tanks and this is a home tank so I have slightly different approaches but nothing crazy.

Parameters are as follows from this weekend’s water test.

Ca-410 (salifert)
Alk-7.0 (Hanna)
Mg-1320 (salifert)
K-410 (salifert)
NO3-7 (salifert)
PO4-0.006 (Hanna ULR phosphorus)
Salinity-35ppt (refractometer calibrated with BRS Refracto juice)
Temp-78-81F (digital thermometer)

Ive had the same batch of Brightwell NeoMarine Salt for the last few months. I do shake the bucket up to remix the crystals before mixing with water.

Not aware of any potential contaminants, I always rinse my hands with warm water before going into the tank. I usually don’t have anything on my hands anyways. Unless the contaminant is inside the tank but I run BRS ROX 0.8 carbon in a media bag for any potential contaminant. I have noticed quite a lot of particulate material floating around the tank and am not sure if that could be impacting anything?

I’ve been through it Brandon. I battled it for a good 13 months a while ago. I honestly think I had multiple issues going on at the same time. Unfortunately, I’ve lost thousands of dollars in SPS because they were doing the same thing. The only thing I am absolutely positive will cause it, is low nutrients. Specifically, reading 0.00 on the Hanna checker. I see that you’re reading .006 on your phosphate and in my experience, anything under .03 has been detrimental to my SPS. Nowadays, I’ve learned that having phosphate at .1 is better than having it at .02. I get nervous if it gets down to .03. It also seemed to take quite a while for my sticks to recover when the PO4 would bottom out. These are just my observations and experience with it.

 

[hometown9]

I agree w/ the lighting as a potential cause. The relatively irregular locations of the stress don't suggest a parasite/infection, or even water parameters. I had a similar problem when I tweaked my lighting even a little bit. A few of the SPS had similar issues. I moved them around until they found a spot where they recovered. If you haven't done anything to your lighting, maybe it's a chem problem, alk being my best guess.

 

[SuncrestReef]

Two thoughts:

1. Consider sending a water sample for ICP testing.

2. Do you have access to a good quality macro lens? Some coral pests are too small to see with the naked eye or regular camera. I didn’t know I had red bugs in my tank until I noticed them in some macro photos I shot:

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

When is the last time anything new went in the tank? I feel there may be a pest. Also get an ATI water test to rule out a water quality issue. Great looking corals.

 

[Brandon McHenry]

I’ve been through it Brandon. I battled it for a good 13 months a while ago. I honestly think I had multiple issues going on at the same time. Unfortunately, I’ve lost thousands of dollars in SPS because they were doing the same thing. The only thing I am absolutely positive will cause it, is low nutrients. Specifically, reading 0.00 on the Hanna checker. I see that you’re reading .006 on your phosphate and in my experience, anything under .03 has been detrimental to my SPS. Nowadays, I’ve learned that having phosphate at .1 is better than having it at .02. I get nervous if it gets down to .03. It also seemed to take quite a while for my sticks to recover when the PO4 would bottom out. These are just my observations and experience with it.

That’s very unfortunate I’m sorry to hear about your loss. I am afraid that these coral may go south if something is indeed bothering them and I cant figure it out. I do know that my PO4 is low but I figured since I feed so frequently and add some amino acids that the low number is okay. Hard to compare to my previous SPS tank but I also ran barely detectable NO3 and PO4 with heavy feeding and great success. However, this tank may be different in what makes it successful, still trying to figure that out.

I agree w/ the lighting as a potential cause. The relatively irregular locations of the stress don't suggest a parasite/infection, or even water parameters. I had a similar problem when I tweaked my lighting even a little bit. A few of the SPS had similar issues. I moved them around until they found a spot where they recovered. If you haven't done anything to your lighting, maybe it's a chem problem, alk being my best guess.

I switched from LED/T5 hybrid to full T5 in the beginning of January, but I’ve seen nothing but good things from the switch. Also no changes have been made in lighting since then. As for alk it’s been fairly consistent between 7.0-7.5.

Two thoughts:

1. Consider sending a water sample for ICP testing.

2. Do you have access to a good quality macro lens? Some coral pests are too small to see with the naked eye or regular camera. I didn’t know I had red bugs in my tank until I noticed them in some macro photos I shot:

If I can’t come to any solutions with this issue than an ICP test may be in order. Unfortunately I don’t have a good macro lens currently. I was hoping to get a macro lens for my phone (which I take most of my pictures on) but the company is currently not selling anything. Is there any other signs to look for? I don’t see anything that represents bite marks and I do dip everything that enters the tank.

When is the last time anything new went in the tank? I feel there may be a pest. Also get an ATI water test to rule out a water quality issue. Great looking corals.

The last things that went into the tank were a few frags from WWC back at the end of January, nothing else since. And yes if I can’t figure out any other solutions I may have to look into an ICP test if things don’t improve.

 

[Brandon McHenry]

When is the last time anything new went in the tank? I feel there may be a pest. Also get an ATI water test to rule out a water quality issue. Great looking corals.

I forgot to thank you for the compliment! So thank you!

 

[WallyB]

Two thoughts:

1. Consider sending a water sample for ICP testing.

2. Do you have access to a good quality macro lens? Some coral pests are too small to see with the naked eye or regular camera. I didn’t know I had red bugs in my tank until I noticed them in some macro photos I shot:

Thanks for that Video. Really good to know what to look for when searching for Red bugs.
Sorry for the intrusion on this thread.

 

[Sweet Reef Corals Verified Sponsor]

I did the ATI test multiple times when I was having issues. They always came back with no answer. I’m not saying it’s a waste of time though. Just to completely rule out PO4, I would immediately get some NeoPhos or equivalent and get your PO4 in a good range (.03+) before I’d start guessing at bugs, lighting, etc. My Hannah checker would read 0.00 if I were to test your water. Personal experience says NOTHING positive has ever come out of my PO4 hitting 0.

Just a side note, aminos won’t generally increase your PO4. They will increase your nitrate. Reef Roids, Reef Chili, etc will increase your PO4.

 

[SuncrestReef]

If I can’t come to any solutions with this issue than an ICP test may be in order. Unfortunately I don’t have a good macro lens currently. I was hoping to get a macro lens for my phone (which I take most of my pictures on) but the company is currently not selling anything. Is there any other signs to look for? I don’t see anything that represents bite marks and I do dip everything that enters the tank.

Just to be clear, the red bugs don't leave any noticeable bite marks (you can barely see the bugs, let alone any marks on the coral), and dipping doesn't seem to kill them.

I'm not suggesting you have red bugs, but just want to point out that some pests are too small to easily notice and more resilient than you'd think.

 

[ryshark]

First off thanks for following my other threads! I guess the first big difference is that those are work tanks and this is a home tank so I have slightly different approaches but nothing crazy.

Parameters are as follows from this weekend’s water test.

Ca-410 (salifert)
Alk-7.0 (Hanna)
Mg-1320 (salifert)
K-410 (salifert)
NO3-7 (salifert)
PO4-0.006 (Hanna ULR phosphorus)
Salinity-35ppt (refractometer calibrated with BRS Refracto juice)
Temp-78-81F (digital thermometer)

Ive had the same batch of Brightwell NeoMarine Salt for the last few months. I do shake the bucket up to remix the crystals before mixing with water.

Not aware of any potential contaminants, I always rinse my hands with warm water before going into the tank. I usually don’t have anything on my hands anyways. Unless the contaminant is inside the tank but I run BRS ROX 0.8 carbon in a media bag for any potential contaminant. I have noticed quite a lot of particulate material floating around the tank and am not sure if that could be impacting anything?

Did you mean .06 for the phosphate? If so, that’s not THAT low.

 

[Brandon McHenry]

I did the ATI test multiple times when I was having issues. They always came back with no answer. I’m not saying it’s a waste of time though. Just to completely rule out PO4, I would immediately get some NeoPhos or equivalent and get your PO4 in a good range (.03+) before I’d start guessing at bugs, lighting, etc. My Hannah checker would read 0.00 if I were to test your water. Personal experience says NOTHING positive has ever come out of my PO4 hitting 0.

Just a side note, aminos won’t generally increase your PO4. They will increase your nitrate. Reef Roids, Reef Chili, etc will increase your PO4.

I can certainly up my feeding a bit, I would much rather do that than dose inorganic phosphate if I can avoid it. But I agree it’s a fine line between low PO4 and no PO4.

Just to be clear, the red bugs don't leave any noticeable bite marks (you can barely see the bugs, let alone any marks on the coral), and dipping doesn't seem to kill them.

I'm not suggesting you have red bugs, but just want to point out that some pests are too small to easily notice and more resilient than you'd think.

Good to know! Luckily I have not yet had any issues with pests so aside from bites I wouldn’t have know what to look for. Thank you for the video!

Did you mean .06 for the phosphate? If so, that’s not THAT low.

On my Hanna ULR phosphorus checker it read 2ppb. If I did my math correctly I think it comes out to 0.006ppm PO4.

For everyone, as luck would have it one of my zoanthid frags just fell over. I went in to replace it and I bumped some of my Pandora zoanthids. They released a mucous-y slough that blew through the tank. The reaction on some of my corals worsened immediately. This mucus also formed little “pellets” that floated to the top of the tank. Any thoughts here? Seems very coincidental.

 

[Brandon McHenry]

So just to be safe I added some fresh carbon today to try and keep any potential irritants down while I figure out what is causing this to happen to my corals.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

Do the filaments get worst or only come out when you feed frozen food?

 

[Brandon McHenry]

Do the filaments get worst or only come out when you feed frozen food?

The filaments are not restricted to when I feed and I haven’t noticed anything that made me think the frozen food made things worse. I’ve been using the same mix of frozen foods for several months with no issues. Is there a particular type of frozen food that you’ve seen trigger this reaction?