Why are my LPS's doing this?

[skinz78]

Seems all of my LPS's that I have on the sand are starting to recede from the outside in. Is there a possibility that there are critters in the sand eating them?

 

[SlackTide]

because you has copper on ya fingers lol

 

[Oiseau Reefer]

Quick param check??
Guess someone is staying up with a flashlight tonight!

 

[chappy]

whats your mag alk and salinity at

 

[skinz78]

All params are good now, my alk was at 6.2Dkh a few weeks ago.

Cal 420ppm
Alk 7.8Dkh
Mag 1400
Sg 1.026

 

[Steve W]

I have a few suggestions.

1. look for evidence of brown jelly disease (BJD). This is a frequent problem with LPSs especially if there are raw edges or irritated tissue. The sand could be irritating the edges giving the brown jelly an opening.
2. Check the water flow. The bottom is usually a low flow area. LPS usually like moderate or higher flow
3. Check for other diseases. LPSs are prone to bacterial and protozoan infections

treatment suggestions

1. Move the frags to a quarantine tank. Bacterial LPS diseases can be communicable especially BJD. Place on a bare bottom or ceramic tiles. If you can do it without overly stressing them, trim away the dead/dying tissue and seal the fresh edge with superglue
2. Blow them off thoughly but gently with a turkey baster or pipette. Try to remove any detritus as well as any infection signs. If you think it may be BJD or other infection do this in a separate container where you can throw the water away. Repeat daily until recession stops
3. If you think you have an infection, do a 3 minute fresh water dip. Repeat in 2 days unless you think it is too much stress. Don't stress them any more than you have to.
4. Check if the varieties you have will tolerate a Lugol's dip (some LPSs will not - instant death sentence) If you determine they will, then do a Lugol's or Seachem Coral Dip. Repeat every other day for a week.
5. If you determine you have BJD, after the series of dips, place them in a small container of aquarium water. Use just enough to cover them. Using neomyacin from a LFS, sprinkle it over the frag and let it settle onto the frag. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Rinse in saltwater and return to the aquarium. Repeat once in two days. This may also work for other infections. If you have access to a microscope, take a small tissue sample from the receding edge and look for protozoans or bacteria. This would be a sign that the neo might work.

I just successfully fought BJD on a Duncan which is now just about fully recovered and is starting to grow new polyps. It had receded to a half of a single polyp before I figured out what to do.

Good Luck and get yourself a copy of Aquarium Corals; Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History by Eric H. Borneman. Best money I ever spent since getting into the hobby.

Steve W

 

[skinz78]

Thanks Steve,

I have had BJD before and this is definatly not it.

My tank has like 50x turnover, my sps's are all doing great except one.

I also have Borneman's book, and I agree it is a great book to have.:wink:

 

[Alpha Aquaculture]

If it is some sort of bug/critter/worm you may want to read through my thread below.

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/ge...28-potential-lps-acan-pests-unveiled-big.html

Does it get better and then worse again all of a sudden or just steadily downhill?

 

[chappy]

no expert here but
i would treat with interceptor just in case but i think your low alk triggered this

 

[skinz78]

Hey Alpha I have viewed the thread before and I don't think I have the same thing. They just receded a little bit.