Acro die off?

[fishcrazy]

When a branch of an acro sps starts to die off, should you cut the dead part off or leave it alone? I had one that started to die off and left it alone hoping that it would recover but it just spread and eventually the hole thing died. Don't want this one to die!

[Instar]

Cut the dead part off at least a quarter inch into the living tissue. The healthy tissue will slime up for protection and if the tank conditions are optimal, it will heal over and grow that branch back. If you fail to get all of the unhealthy tissue, it will continue to spread even if the dead part is cut off. Use some kind of cutter (like dykes) to make a clean cut.

[fishcrazy]

Thanks

[fishypets]

There is a reason that branch died off. What are your parms?

[SueT]

especially if this has happened to more than 1 acropora piece... Best check for red bugs, AEFW's or water thats out of balance.

[gjuarez]

Since the acro receeded from a branch and not the vase, it will most likely be from alkalinity. How does your alk look?

[fishcrazy]

The cause maybe one or two reasons. One the colony wasn't directly under the HQI lights and the branch furthest from the light was where the die off started. Or two, my sleeper goby jumped to dealth causeing my sand to build up algea, which in turn I sifted manually causing a nitrate spike (don't know what else could have caused the nitrates to rise) that could have been the cause.

[fishypets]

Fishcrazy,

Can you report what your tank's parms are?