Why is it the expensive stuff dies?

[narcist21]

So it always seems to be the expensive pieces that want to die on me. I got a gorgeous Scoly and this Echinata from Will about a month ago and the Scoly melted about a week later and now this guy is starting to go. I moved him from my main tank to my 20G three days ago to see if it helps, but so far no. Here's the set-up:
20G tank w/20lb LR and 40lb LS
15G Sump
EuroReef CS6-1
150W 14K Hamilton
tank hasn't gotten hotter than 81
moderate flow in the tank (MJ1200)

Parameters are:
NO2 - 0
NO3 - 0
PO4 - 0 -.03
PH - 7.8
ALK - 5.4
CA - 380
MG - 1215

Tested about an hour ago. I've been using Red Seal Coral Pro Salt and have been lazy with testing since I haven't had any problems using this stuff in the last six months. I do a 25-30% WC every two weeks and change the socks about twice a week. I knew the PH was low and therefore a direct influence on the ALK so I started a PH buffer a couple hours ago to bring that up. I'll change out salts (based on input here) to help with the CA and MG tomorrow.

Do you guys think that those parameters are causing this or is something else wrong here? Help please as I really don't want to spend a few hundred bucks on these things again to have the same result!

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c231/narcist21/101_1859.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c231/narcist21/101_1858.jpg

[stephj03]

Might be a pathogenic situation. I don't think they know why yet, but there have been a few threads in the lps forum on RC touting the benefits of interceptor treatments on sick/dying lps even though it is generally only used as a treatment for redbugs on SPS.HTH

[Hybrid]

Looks like the big mac is no bueno as an old friend would say. Mag, Alk, and Cal are all super low. Need to start dosing and bring those up.

[stephj03]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1400291&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1623563

To clarify the above links are to threads on the LPS specialty section of RC detailiing other hobbyists recent experimentation and success with interceptor as a treatment for LPS issues similar to the one mentioned here.

[Nick_Kun]

your alk is definately super low. I think that is the main problem.

[DaveMorris]

When you go to raise your alk, I wouldn't bump it up more than 1dkh per day. Magnesium doesn't matter, bump it up too. Calcium I wouldn't raise higher than 50ppm per day.

[narcist21]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1400291&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1623563

Well that took a while to read through! Sounds like what I've got. I'll try the Interceptor dip (not the tank just the piece) if I can find some interceptor.

The Alk is definetly a problem, I'm surprised I haven't had any other issues. I'm going to switch salts and continue to monitor. I dosed some kalkwasser tonight and am trying to slowly raise it.

Anybody know where I can get some interceptor locally without a prescription?

Thanks,
Zach

[Nick_Kun]

interceptor is for red bugs usually associated with acroporas and not LPS like acans and scolys.

[JoeJ]

Interceptor for the treatment of receding LPS? Wow, it's hard to believe that the RC thread started a year ago. And, people are seeing results. I wonder what the observed "black specks" will turn out to be?


http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1400291&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1623563

[stephj03]

Yes, interceptor is a well characterized treatment for red bugs. But the threads I linked to invovled recent experimentation with it and the corresponding positive results regarding mysterious lps issues. Like I said, I don't think they know how what or why it is making a difference. But nonetheless there have been instances of interceptor helping in cases like this one as described in the links.

[Diver Dan]

Its not a "mysterious LPS issue"; his alk is WAY TOO low.

[barometer]

agreed, get the MAC balanced and all should be good. Kalk alone prolly won't be enough to raise levels. You'll wanna get them up with two part, then maintain with kalk once levels are reached and the system's uptake known. :)

[stephj03]

update?

[narcist21]

I started the Intercepter tonight at 5. I was just going to dip it in the Interceptor, but then decided if it is a parasite I might as well do the whole tank. I have to do the water change at 11 and add carbon and skimmer again. I'll do another check of the MAC after the water change and see where I'm sitting at then. I'll do another W/C tomorrow night and see how it's looking Friday when I get home from work. Thanks for everyone's suggestions so far!

[narcist21]

So I did the treatment, I couldn't see any of the black bugs like they saw on RC but I felt it couldn't hurt trying that too. I did the 50% W/C after six hours and am running two bags of carbon now. My parameters after the W/C are-
PH- 8.1
CA - 390
DKH- 7.4
MG - 1200

All from Salifert test. I know the ALK was raised too fast, but it was due to the small system size and big water change. No way around that after the Intercepter treatment. Lights are out now so I'll have to wait and see how it looks tomorrow. I'm surprised that my MG dropped though, I ordered bulkreef supplys two part this morning so I can start dosing more regularly to make sure this doesn't happen again.

[Diver Dan]

Try to get your dosing schedule to at least once a day by testing regularly and changing dosages to get to the desired 7-12 range; this will keep things, especially Alk, from swinging around as much as they did.
I hope you didnt have any prized shrimp, snails, or hermit crabs with the interceptor dose as they are most likely gone now.