Cutting Off Kenya Tree Branches

lines_michael · 01/31/2007, 10:08 PM

I have a Kenya Tree Coral that all of a sudden caught something. The ends of the branches built up some goop the same color as the tree. Sort of a Brownish color.

I accidentally had a pwerhead blowing right on the tree for three or four days and I couldn't figure out why it was bending over all of a sudden and not stretching back out like it usually does.

It seems to have not been able to recover from this and I am wondering how to remove the dying tree from my tank correctly.

Cut off just dying branches?

Remove whole thing at base?

Ok to cut with scissors or razor blade?

drummereef · 01/31/2007, 10:45 PM

First, what are your water params? Hopfully we can save it before it's totally gone.

zoozilla · 01/31/2007, 10:47 PM

The brown stuff usually indicates some sort of bacterial slime infection.

If you want to try to save it:

Using a clean razor blade, try to cut off as much of the dead or dying branches (outside of the tank). Leave as much of the healthy tissue intact. Try to dip in some sort of Iodine based solution such as Loguls. Place back in your tank and give some flow (Not direct flow).

Note: when cutting with razor blade, try to make clean incisions without crushing/stressing the tissue further.

This method usually helps but if the brown slime progresses, I would suggest scraping the entire kenya off the rock and disposing of it.

Hope this helps

lines_michael · 01/31/2007, 11:22 PM

Nitrites: 0
Ammonia: almost 0
Nitrates: just under 20 and dropping
Phosphates: just under .25 and dropping
pH: 8.2
temp: 78.5

I had been battling with keeping my nitrates and phosphates down and they are finally starting to drop after a week.

I fed frozen algae, two days later fed dehydrated brine shrimp food, two days later dehydrated brine again, (started seeing it look week) two days later frozen brine. Is it possible that it was starving under the high flow of the powerhead? Only the parts under high flow seemed to get sick all other Kenya are fine.

Here's a picture of sick tree's...probably too late.

jaw969 · 01/31/2007, 11:53 PM

They don't look so happy but the powerhead could be the whole problem. It looks like the bases are changes colors (dying) from the pics. Besides for the slime are they a universal color throughout?

Wish you lived closer, cause I would say cut them all out since I have tons....

lines_michael · 02/01/2007, 12:13 AM

yeah...they seem to be pretty universal in color. the tips are a little darker where the buildup is. The whole tree is slowly growing darker and uglier as the hours go by.

Would you say cut them off at the base?

I know that they will regrow..they have been spreading like crazy over the last couple weeks.

jaw969 · 02/01/2007, 12:27 AM

If you are worried maybe you should cut them off...like you said they will regrow. I find using scissors is the easiest since they are very tough.

01/31/2007, 10:08 PM	#1
lines_michael Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 95	Cutting Off Kenya Tree Branches I have a Kenya Tree Coral that all of a sudden caught something. The ends of the branches built up some goop the same color as the tree. Sort of a Brownish color. I accidentally had a pwerhead blowing right on the tree for three or four days and I couldn't figure out why it was bending over all of a sudden and not stretching back out like it usually does. It seems to have not been able to recover from this and I am wondering how to remove the dying tree from my tank correctly. Cut off just dying branches? Remove whole thing at base? Ok to cut with scissors or razor blade?

01/31/2007, 10:45 PM	#2
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	First, what are your water params? Hopfully we can save it before it's totally gone. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

01/31/2007, 10:47 PM	#3
zoozilla Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Lake Ridge, VA Posts: 95	The brown stuff usually indicates some sort of bacterial slime infection. If you want to try to save it: Using a clean razor blade, try to cut off as much of the dead or dying branches (outside of the tank). Leave as much of the healthy tissue intact. Try to dip in some sort of Iodine based solution such as Loguls. Place back in your tank and give some flow (Not direct flow). Note: when cutting with razor blade, try to make clean incisions without crushing/stressing the tissue further. This method usually helps but if the brown slime progresses, I would suggest scraping the entire kenya off the rock and disposing of it. Hope this helps __________________ "Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit" Current Tank Info: ~180 Display + 40 NAGA Built Sump + 30 Fuge + 30 BTA & Misc Tank

01/31/2007, 11:53 PM	#5
jaw969 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Centennial, CO Posts: 1,067	They don't look so happy but the powerhead could be the whole problem. It looks like the bases are changes colors (dying) from the pics. Besides for the slime are they a universal color throughout? Wish you lived closer, cause I would say cut them all out since I have tons.... __________________ How do you kick this habit anyway.......saltwater addicts anonymous? Current Tank Info: Oceanic 120 RR-Aquamedic Ocean light-Tunze 9015-Will be a mixed reef

02/01/2007, 12:27 AM	#7
jaw969 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Centennial, CO Posts: 1,067	If you are worried maybe you should cut them off...like you said they will regrow. I find using scissors is the easiest since they are very tough. __________________ How do you kick this habit anyway.......saltwater addicts anonymous? Current Tank Info: Oceanic 120 RR-Aquamedic Ocean light-Tunze 9015-Will be a mixed reef

01/31/2007, 11:22 PM	#4
lines_michael Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 95	Nitrites: 0 Ammonia: almost 0 Nitrates: just under 20 and dropping Phosphates: just under .25 and dropping pH: 8.2 temp: 78.5 I had been battling with keeping my nitrates and phosphates down and they are finally starting to drop after a week. I fed frozen algae, two days later fed dehydrated brine shrimp food, two days later dehydrated brine again, (started seeing it look week) two days later frozen brine. Is it possible that it was starving under the high flow of the powerhead? Only the parts under high flow seemed to get sick all other Kenya are fine. Here's a picture of sick tree's...probably too late.

02/01/2007, 12:13 AM	#6
lines_michael Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 95	yeah...they seem to be pretty universal in color. the tips are a little darker where the buildup is. The whole tree is slowly growing darker and uglier as the hours go by. Would you say cut them off at the base? I know that they will regrow..they have been spreading like crazy over the last couple weeks.