stn/rtn corals

[coraline79]

so I have had some Birdsnest for a while and it guess it has had some STN gonig on at the base(turning white), well yesterday, I noticed it sped up a little. What is the smallest frag you would take off of a 3 inch tall BN with about 10 1/4 inch branches coming off of it? Looks like I have about 1/2 inch at the top that is not effected. Also is this contageous? I have neon green milli next to it.

Thanks-Joe

[d3rryc]

Are you SURE it's STN and not simply the base of the coral receding where it's shading itself? My BN did that when the new growth up high overshadowed the base and kept it from getting enough light. Just an option to consider.

[OrionN]

Only top 1/2 inch not affected? If this the case, likely you are not going to save it. Try to break off some tip not involved, just make sure that the white area absolutly not in the frags. With only 1/2 inch to work with, I don't see how you can get any virable frag.
Good luck.

[TexasTodd]

Very small frags can survive sometimes. Cut at least 1/4" above the dead part and seal the bottom with super glue.

More importantly, WHY is it doing this? Usually top down receeding is alk issues and base up is Phosphate/nutrient issues. Usually but not always.

Todd

[OrionN]

I have had a SPS coral shipped to me died except three polyps. By nursing these 3 polyps, I eventually have a colony of this beautiful coral. Saving a RTN coral in a tank that RTN started with only1/2 inch to work with is another mater. If you going to do something, do it quick because there will not be much time.

[coraline79]

I just ran my phosphate test 2 days ago and it came in at zero. From reading online, I have found that there is no proven reason why coral STN's or RTN's. This coral is sitting about 6 inches from the top of the water directly under a Metal Halide in highflow. Everything else in the tank looks awesome w/ no hair algae or any nusiance algaes. I am running both phosban and carbon reactors.

[OrionN]

So how did the pink BN do? ID you loose it or some were saved?

[coraline79]

no it is still hanging in there for the moment.

[Texreefer]

With birdsnest, if it is slow and starts at the base or middle i would bet it is not enough flow,, once they start to go it will continue butas said before you can save a small frag and it will make it. My large colony I had started as a 1/4" tip

[coraline79]

cool thank a bunch. i had it in low flow when it started, now it has 700ghp blowing right passed it. thanks!

[gjuarez]

Its STNing, the best thing to save it is to start fragging. I wouldnt recommend putting it on high flow, it will blow the now sensitive tissue away. Its sometimes common for seriatopora hystrix and pocillipora (birds nest and cats paw) to have a little die of at the base, and thats mainly because there is not sufficient light because its being blocked by other branches. Good luck with whatever decision you make.

[ErikH]

No nipping fish? I couldnt keep birdsnest for the longest until I saw the fish that was sneaking polyp bites. my BN is right under my return...