Unexplained Coral Issues

[Wall_Tank]

Hopefully explained!

So a few of you know that I've had problems with my SPS for some time now, never could put my finger on what is going on.  After the meeting yesterday, listening to stories, I decided to take another good look around the aquarium.   In the overflow of my frag tank, I saw something with a slight hint of orange on it.  So I pulled it out.   It made my finger turn black when I crumbled it in my fingers.   This morning I used a little muriatic acid to clean up what I pulled out.  Very little of the material dissolved.....but here is what I found.

Note that if this was calcium based deposits, it would have mostly disappeared, and the residue would not have been yellow.

[Gary]

The piece at the bottom looks like threads of a screw. Maybe steel, the yellow might be iron oxide?

[Wall_Tank]

I agree Gary, probably a stainless steel bolt that has been degrading in the saltwater.... Not sure where it came from

[lazylivin]

Makes me want to tear down my sump and look. It will be interesting to see your Triton Results.

[Gary]

But how did it get into the over flow?

[Wall_Tank]

My frag tank is not covered

[Gary]

Merlin3 has had a small radio controller helicopter in his main tank! It was quickly removed because helicopters do try to mix with the salt water but it is harmful for them too.

[Wall_Tank]

Makes me want to tear down my sump and look. It will be interesting to see your Triton Results.

I think I'll take a water sample today, and then do a big water change.

[Steve]

Paul and I were having some of the same issues. After doing some digging, I read an article about someone with the same issues. He found a fish hook in his sand bed. Then a light went on, feeling kinda embarrassed here, I had been using a penn plax algae scraper with razor blades. I would use it from time to time, but had been leaving it in the tank some. Which could explain why things would get better then worse again. I pulled it for good about a month ago and my SPS have definitely started looking better. I will keep up with this post also. Paul, I surely hope we have found the issues. I know we both had become very frustrated.

[Steve]

Sorry to report that I am having another bout of STN and have completely lost one more acro. I haven't did a water change since the last post, waiting to see what my Triton results are. It is really strange how whatever this is, just comes and goes. Seems like it effects different corals each time and some it doesn't seem to effect at all.  After seeing Reefkeeping Magazine's TOTM I am seriously pondering going with a no or very limited SPS tank.  I love growing SPS, but this experience has really tested me.

[Steve]

Just continuing with this thread. Woes continue. One day things seem to be getting better, the next day I lose more corals. All SPS seem effected, everything else seems fine. Anemone split, LPS growing, though I did lose my green blasto in my avatar. Acans, zoas, favias lobo goni trumpets and such all growing and looking healthy. Looking at some additive options. Kinda at a loss.

[Fishfreak]

I lost all my SPS to stray electricity. Added a grounding probe and everything seem better. Just a thought.

[Kenn]

J though I did lose my green blasto in my avatar.

Wow, so sorry to hear that Steve

I lost all my SPS to stray electricity. Added a grounding probe and everything seem better. Just a thought.

Indeed. It wouldn't hurt to check.

[Steve]

I lost all my SPS to stray electricity. Added a grounding probe and everything seem better. Just a thought.

Any thoughts anyone, and does anybody have a meter and know how or be willing to help me check?

[Wall_Tank]

I always run titanium ground probes.  In my book it's a must for safety..... my safety more so than the inhabitants.

[Kenn]

If no one is available in the next couple days I will happily come over and check that out for you

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Steve]

If no one is available in the next couple days I will happily come over and check that out for you

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

I accept your offer.

[Kenn]

I accept your offer.

I'm tied up this weekend, but they untie me this coming week so I will PM you to set up a time

[Steve]

I'm tied up this weekend, but they untie me this coming week so I will PM you to set up a time

Thank You Sir.

[Steve]

Paul, any updates from You? I am still going through the same up and down, mostly down issues with my SPS. I am looking at doing an almost complete water change to see if that helps. I am continuing to lose corals and the rest of my SPS look pretty sick. Everything else seems to be doing good.

[delta1190]

Not being and expert on corals Steve i was reading about water changes personally i don't think that will help you you will be depleting the minerals you have built up in the tank ----once again i am no expert Good Luck my friend!!!

[Agame43]

  Steve,

  I'am no expert on SPS myself and yes they are rewarding and frustrating all at the same time. I had a very similar issue awhile back where my Pocillapora were being attacked by something, turning white and it would come and go. My Nitrates were on the high side so I did some heavy dilutions with the water and I used a product called "RTN Destroyer" by Reef Grow. Not sure if we are talking like issues, like I said I'am no expert. Have a look at Reef Grow website and this product is sold at Aquarium Artisans as well. The above post is interesting, in that same timeframe I did get zapped by a broken glass heater in my sump, hummm. Like I said I had a few things going on, not really sure what the fix was but it has been gone for awhile now.

Good Luck,

[Wall_Tank]

Paul, any updates from You? I am still going through the same up and down, mostly down issues with my SPS. I am looking at doing an almost complete water change to see if that helps. I am continuing to lose corals and the rest of my SPS look pretty sick. Everything else seems to be doing good.

Things have been pretty stable lately, but I personally have been in a mode where I've not been taking care of the tank.   Probably because I have a ton of dead coral skeleton's from before.....bummed out every time I look at it.

[Steve]

Things have been pretty stable lately, but I personally have been in a mode where I've not been taking care of the tank.   Probably because I have a ton of dead coral skeleton's from before.....bummed out every time I look at it.

I know the feeling.