sps and red bugs

[Jeff]

i am just starting to get some sps and i keep hearing different things about red bugs. what i would like to know is are the red bugs killing the corals or is there something wrong with the corals and the bugs are reacting to it. according to mike palleta all sps have them and why do they only seem to attack the more delicate acropora species but others( green slimers) they do nothing to. reports are that after using interceptor the corals color up and look healthier, but is that a by product of the interceptor or of doing such a massive water change and extra carbon.people will claim that they keep great water quality and all parameters are on but there is much more in the water than we could ever test for. i look forward to a response.

[::pete::]

Good poaint and questions ... Im going to say the water changes have a big part in the corals looking better as I am a big fan of constantly changing my water and my corals love it!! ;)

[NaCl_H2O]

This is a great debate thread to start! I personally have had a thriving tank, redbugs, treatment, massive water changes, and the tank is beginning to thrive again.

I don't know that every tank has Redbugs, but I do think Mike Paletta's logic makes sense. In reality, I think my tank began to decline due to my lack of dKH an PH maintenance (I got a little lazy). Maybe this weakened the coral's immunities/defense, or maybe Redbugs thrive in different water conditions than corals? Anyway, I know the Interceptor killed the bugs (most of them I hope) cuz I watched the little buggers falling :skeezy I also experience great coral coloration and polyp extention afterwards (the ones left anyway), but I really expect this was due to a near 100% water change within 24 hours.

Since the Plaetta presentation I have renewed enthusiasm in my water quality, and the corals are glad I attended ;) Not that my water quality was WAY off, just slightly off "ideal".

Interesting discussion topic, looking forward to seing some other thoughts!

Thanks for starting this one Jeff!

[thedude]

I agree with the water quality comments but do also think that the red bugs hurt the coral. It's almost like a clown goby. A clown goby is a fairly good reef inhabitant but when it perches on SPS, the polyps retract, giving that particular section that much more reason to become infected at that spot. If red bugs reduce the polyp extension of a SPS coral, you don't have much to lose getting rid of them.

[::pete::]

I disagree with the clown goby as I have one and when it perches in the corals the polyps still remain out. Trust me I have "great" polyp extension ....