Tank melting down... need advice

[bfliflet]

This is the first rapid RTN I've experienced. Corals looked fine in the morning and a frag was gone in the afternoon. Similar symptoms showing on 5 to 7 other mini colonies. Tissue loss happening fast and not only at the base. I've never experienced AEFW but it's happening so fast I suspect it's something water contaminant related. Nothing was sprayed nearby. No fumes. Water parameters fine. Strangely, my integrated frag tank frags showing no issues (yet). No changes in lighting recently. Symptoms on acros, favias, stylos, etc. I'll post pics this afternoon.

Current plan: changing 15% water daily (~45-50g), replace carbon.

A few suspicions:
- I added a landscaping irrigation gate (when I ran into Tim at Home Depot) into the water flow (long story behind why).

- I had some chelated iron supplements in my RODI ATO bucket that was left unused for about a week. Not sure if a burst amount of iron was introduced into the system. Not sure how fast the chelate breaks down in RODI water. I normally add the same amount on a weekly basis for ATS (last 6mos plus).

Does it make sense to try and frag healthy pieces if necrosis is occurring randomly in a coral? Even if it ends up in the frag tank w/ same water? Risk spreading biological issue to frag tank?

Rational thought has faded so I am looking for advice who's weathered this type of storm... Thanks in advance.

[greenhead]

Large water change. As much as you can and new carbon..

[HV1990]

The description of the gate says "UV inhibitor reduces the damaging effects of exposure to the sun". Generally it is an additive that may leaching out into the tank.

[TigeBell]

^^ +1 That gate doesn't look like it is NSF approved.

[79chopperdr]

UV inhibitor jumped out at me too.

in situations like that I've filled those nylon media bags with carbon and slid them over the returns to improve carbon contact time.

Good luck Brandon.

[psykobowler]

I hope for the best. You'll pull through.

[bfliflet]

Thanks for the advice and encouragement. The condition doesn't appear to have worsened. As soon as things went bad, I removed the suspicious grate, changed the carbon and initiated water changes. That might be enough. Hopefully with these photos it doesn't appear to be something biological (ie. pests).
Copps Hulk Milli
Unknown tort
Same tort different colony with dead ORA Plum Crazy behind leopard wrasse
ORA Tricolor Valida and Green Stylo in the background

My gig and BTA anemones haven't shown any symptoms.

[robert s b.]

I feel your pain Brandon, hope everything turns out ok for you and bounces back to normal.

[tfp]

Oh man.... just ride it out...

[Saltwaternooby]

Wishing you a quick rebound, i am experiencing similar issues just very slowly.

[psykobowler]

At least your tank is in good hands. I am out of the country for 2 weeks starting now and I might come back to lush white sticks when I come back. I feel powerless right now. You still have control so all is good.

[nashorn]

Is temp good? maybe a large swing in one of your parameters?
Good luck

[bfliflet]

Well. I've learned something new. There are certain blennies, specifically Exallias brevis, that ABSOLUTELY LOVE and need to eat SPS. I can't tell you how devastating adding a fish like this can be. I saw them (yes two) nip at a coral that had already died. I assumed it was eating a copepod or piece of algae. The sad part is that these are on RC's Difficult and Special Care Species List and I neglected to double check this list nor did the LFS know anything about these striking fish. Even worse is that these poor little guys are going to die rather quickly in captivity. I've given them the rest of a few SPS colonies that were devastated but needed heavy pruning anyway. Hopefully, my story prevents someone else from buying these. I plan to let the LFS know so they prevent another hobbyist from making a similar mistake. I know the batch I bought from sold very quickly. So, other local hobbyists beware. Tim can vouch for how quickly they can devastate a small colony. In a little less than an hour they turned my 3" GARF bonsai micro-colony from normal purple to virtual white. I suspect they contain enzymes or bacteria that seriously irritate corals beyond just the bites.

On a positive note, tearing down the rock work to catch these guys forced me to redesign the rocks which I have been wanting to do for a while. It's amazing how a tank can go from looking its best to its near worst in such a short amount of time. Appreciate what you have. It could be a LOT worse...

[psykobowler]

I got a tribal blenny before not realizing it loves to eat the skin of Acropora. Fortunately blennies love to hide in holes in the rock. I was able to remove mine. I am glad you got yours out too.

[RonMidtownStomp]

At least you were able to solve the problem!