Frogspawn dying help

boxerzz · 01/03/2010, 08:46 PM

I have this coral for more than 2 years already, it has been growing well. The circled areas in the picture shows the area that starts to RTN. The top and bottom corals are actually from the same coral that was separated into 2 a year ago.

It started a month ago, the heads at 1 started to RTN and then a week later heads at 2 also started to RTN. Now 2 weeks later, both are RTNing together.

When it started, the calcium level was low at 300ppm, however, the other specs were ok, sg 1.025, mg 1280ppm, alk, 9.5dkh, NO3 5ppm. I raised the calium back to 400 ppm over a week period and now the remaining areas start to RTN. So it seems to be that this has nothing to do with the water quality ?

longdangler · 01/03/2010, 09:01 PM

Sounds like brown jelly disease. I would frag off the non-affected head ASAP before you lose them all.

boxerzz · 01/03/2010, 09:15 PM

It was not brown jelly I think because I never see the brown jelly on them. They just start to RTN and exposing the insides.

Playa-1 · 01/03/2010, 09:15 PM

How are you checking the Sg?
Do you have other corals?
What is the pH level?
Have you changes flow or lighting lately?

singold · 01/03/2010, 09:17 PM

I agree, check PH, ALK, & CAL levels

boxerzz · 01/03/2010, 09:28 PM

I measure SG with a refractometer calibrated with RODI water, sg at 1.026 now. The other corals I have are together for more than a year, including zoas, colt, yellow polyps, lobo, bubble, xenia, yumas, etc. Those stinging corals are kept away from each other.

pH is at 8.2, no changes to flow or lighting.

Sk8r · 01/03/2010, 09:35 PM

Try running carbon, in case your softies are on the warpath. And check your alkalinity: these stonies like 8.3-9.3 alkalinity, 420 calcium, 1280 magnesium. It may be starving for these.

boxerzz · 01/03/2010, 09:53 PM

I have carbon running 24/7 and all the above parameters are in check. I don't know what is going on at all.

sedor · 01/03/2010, 10:08 PM

Its probably continuing to RTN because of all the constant parameter changing. Try and stabilize the environment, and like longdangler said, frag the dying parts from the coral and cross your fingers. To be honest, it looks like its in pretty shape.

boxerzz · 01/04/2010, 04:33 AM

The coral has no more hope now, thanks for all the input.

01/03/2010, 08:46 PM	#1
boxerzz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 606	Frogspawn dying help I have this coral for more than 2 years already, it has been growing well. The circled areas in the picture shows the area that starts to RTN. The top and bottom corals are actually from the same coral that was separated into 2 a year ago. It started a month ago, the heads at 1 started to RTN and then a week later heads at 2 also started to RTN. Now 2 weeks later, both are RTNing together. When it started, the calcium level was low at 300ppm, however, the other specs were ok, sg 1.025, mg 1280ppm, alk, 9.5dkh, NO3 5ppm. I raised the calium back to 400 ppm over a week period and now the remaining areas start to RTN. So it seems to be that this has nothing to do with the water quality ?

01/03/2010, 09:17 PM	#5
singold Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lake Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 1,827	I agree, check PH, ALK, & CAL levels __________________ "If there is no wind.....row." Current Tank Info: 75gal Reef w/29gal Refugium

01/03/2010, 09:35 PM	#7
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Try running carbon, in case your softies are on the warpath. And check your alkalinity: these stonies like 8.3-9.3 alkalinity, 420 calcium, 1280 magnesium. It may be starving for these. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

01/03/2010, 10:08 PM	#9
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	Its probably continuing to RTN because of all the constant parameter changing. Try and stabilize the environment, and like longdangler said, frag the dying parts from the coral and cross your fingers. To be honest, it looks like its in pretty shape. __________________ Ryan

01/03/2010, 09:01 PM	#2
longdangler Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Omaha,NE Posts: 224	Sounds like brown jelly disease. I would frag off the non-affected head ASAP before you lose them all.

01/03/2010, 09:15 PM	#3
boxerzz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 606	It was not brown jelly I think because I never see the brown jelly on them. They just start to RTN and exposing the insides.

01/03/2010, 09:15 PM	#4
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	How are you checking the Sg? Do you have other corals? What is the pH level? Have you changes flow or lighting lately?

01/03/2010, 09:28 PM	#6
boxerzz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 606	I measure SG with a refractometer calibrated with RODI water, sg at 1.026 now. The other corals I have are together for more than a year, including zoas, colt, yellow polyps, lobo, bubble, xenia, yumas, etc. Those stinging corals are kept away from each other. pH is at 8.2, no changes to flow or lighting.

01/03/2010, 09:53 PM	#8
boxerzz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 606	I have carbon running 24/7 and all the above parameters are in check. I don't know what is going on at all.

01/04/2010, 04:33 AM	#10
boxerzz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 606	The coral has no more hope now, thanks for all the input.