Another In Tank AEFW Treatment Gone Bad

[Lasers Reef]

FYI.:applause::applause:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2464227

[Lasers Reef]

With great pain I must now post that we are experiencing losses of the sps colonies. The nutrient swing was too much for the tank evidently and the ammonia and nitrates were both elevated. We attempted several water changes to bring down the levels but no luck. In the last 2 days we have lost approximately 25% of the remaining SPS stock with a majority of the remaining colonies also effected already at the bases. The RTN is happening in an accelerated fashion and a total loss of sps is now expected by morning, although we do still have about 10 colonies that look perfect so go figure.. In a ray of good news the ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites are now in check as well as phospates but it appears too late. All other corals remain totally healthy and the chalices and LPS are actually seeing an accelerated growth rate due to the nutrient explosion. We will give updates on further losses but at this point I cannot promote this in tank method until further research from Kate and her team yield better results. I am convinced, and even took out several sps for observation and cannot find any signs of aefw, that we killed the aefw but the nutrient explosion proved to much to handle through usual means of nutrient export (I.E. skimming, filter socks, water changes, gfo, carbon).

SO UNFORTUNATELY CAN THE MODS PLEASE CHANGE TO TITLE OF THE THREAD!! (maybe to ANOTHER AEFW in tank try gone bad) No further losses need to occur. I believe that this is a tremendous weapon as a dip against aefw but then again the eggs remain the question... ****!!!!!!!!!Sorry for the vent but to watch all the losses brings tears to my eyes...

[Dkray944]

I'm so sorry to hear about this. Knowing how much work and money goes into getting a good sps collection I'm starting to tear for you. I'm now looking at all of my acros and going to implement a quarantine tank.

[Lasers Reef]

all of our stock went through QT with a bayer dip weekly for 6 weeks prior to introduction into the main system. We have fought this 3 years ago (losing that battle as well but it only wiped out part of our stock at that time) and were very diligent with all techniques that are currently accepted in the industry. Unfortunately I now believe that the aefw can actually get under the SPS skin and not be effected at all by the dips or in tank treatments. We have been cutting corals and doing our best to save frags at least of most but it is not looking good. Frustrating in the fact we feel we did everything we could have to avoid this in the first place.

[Dkray944]

That's crazy. I wonder what's the best route to avoid these critters? I currently have a 220g with lots of sps frags and some smaller colonies. Im looking at upgrading to a 375- 500 gallon Sps dominated tank within the next year or so and I want to make sure I don't wipe out the system.