Help .. strange STN

[SCARYBO]

I have notice a very slow tissue necrosis on a valida colony. The problem is at the base of the coral. It isnt because of lack of flow. The progress has been very slow the past 3 days. It started about the size of an pencil eraser and is now about almost the size of a dime. I have stopped all dosing today. I have been using zeo for about six months. I pulled my sand bed a little over a month ago. At that time I had an increase in nutrients but no bleaching or problems (just sps darkening) I have been using start 1 since I started and have had no problems. I am using the basic items on my tank (rocks, start, bak, and food). I was dosing the following: (40 gal tank- 6 gal sump)

2 drops bak/ food - twice a week
.10ml start - twice daily (total .20ml) (corrected typo..sorry )
Change rocks at 6 week intervals.

All tank parameters at a NSW levels. Any ideals what is wrong and what I should do would be greatly appreciated.

Joseph

[gqjeff]

20ml of start a DAY in a roughly 40 gallon system? I use .6ml a day in my net 200 gallon system...

[Aged Salt]

As jeff said, that this point hold the zeo-dosages for another 2-3 days then resume the same bak/food doses. Reduce Start1 to .25ml 2x's/day. When I used Start1 on my 450g system, I dosed Start1 .1ml 2x's/day & that was good to hold N's/P's inline[Salifert's neg.] I've since switched to Start2[no TN] & use a Hanna to measure my P's. Bob

[Orion76]

I dose about 6ml/day of Start in my 400g tank...

[SCARYBO]

20ml of start a DAY in a roughly 40 gallon system? I use .6ml a day in my net 200 gallon system...

Opps...sorry about that .. I cant type and think at the same time. .20ml a day.

[Orion76]

aha, BIG difference!

Valida is a favorite of flatworms, are you sure you don't have any?

[SCARYBO]

aha, BIG difference!

Valida is a favorite of flatworms, are you sure you don't have any?

I would really be suprised. I havent added anything in 8+ months (space issues). I havent seen any bugs of any type.

[Orion76]

They're basically invisible, but 8 months is a long time...

[gqjeff]

Opps...sorry about that .. I cant type and think at the same time. .20ml a day.

Ok thats better hehehe.. I would hold dosing for a couple days and observe.. Have you had any temp swings you are aware of?

[Aged Salt]

Joseph, low Ca or KH can result in basal tissue recession, as can bigger swings in water temp[rise in salinity?] that can occur during the summer; also excess of elements[have you changed saltmixes?] or too much bak or start1. Bob

[SCARYBO]

As jeff said, that this point hold the zeo-dosages for another 2-3 days then resume the same bak/food doses. Reduce Start1 to .25ml 2x's/day. When I used Start1 on my 450g system, I dosed Start1 .1ml 2x's/day & that was good to hold N's/P's inline[Salifert's neg.] I've since switched to Start2[no TN] & use a Hanna to measure my P's. Bob

Bob,

I should increase start to .12ml twice a day or is that .25ml twice a day. Sorry for my confusion.

[SCARYBO]

Joseph, low Ca or KH can result in basal tissue recession, as can bigger swings in water temp[rise in salinity?] that can occur during the summer; also excess of elements[have you changed saltmixes?] or too much bak or start1. Bob

Bob,

Ca and KH are on target. I havent monitored the temp/ salinity the past couple days. Let me check for swings. Good point.

[Aged Salt]

, Joseph, the .25ml 2x's/day was based on the 20ml/day typo. I would check temp/salinity frequently, & reduce Bak/food to 1 drop each 2x's/wk & Start.1ml 2x's/day, as at 6mos. your "stored-nutrients" should be depleted. The zeolites affect now with a little help from bak/food/start is all that is needed to keep your waters in good status. Bob

[SCARYBO]

, Joseph, the .25ml 2x's/day was based on the 20ml/day typo. I would check temp/salinity frequently, & reduce Bak/food to 1 drop each 2x's/wk & Start.1ml 2x's/day, as at 6mos. your "stored-nutrients" should be depleted. The zeolites affect now with a little help from bak/food/start is all that is needed to keep your waters in good status. Bob

I will check temp/salinity when I get home tonight (amazingly I still have to work for a living.. I wish I could get paid for caring for my tanK). So I will reduce Bak/Food to 1 drop each 2x/ wk. I'm still not clear on the start.
.1ml 2x a day / or .05 2x a day.

Thanks
Joseph

[Diesel3443]

Hows your Mg. For some reason my system is Mg deficient and recently with the tank move it was 99o All my coral right now have stn. I hope mine come back. Good luck.