Help: LPS Bleaching After Water Change/ Maintence

[firstlight10]

I did a water change yesterday on my tank per my usual routine, this morning I have noticed my trumpet coral, candy cane and encrusting monti were all bleached. My xenia appears to have been melted, and some of my zoas and mushrooms won't open. The only thing I did differently than normal was I replaced two of my powerheads with similar replacement units, one of the new powerheads was new in box, the other had been used in the past in my mixing container.

I did kill aptasia yesterday using Tropic Marin Aptasia X, I put a total of 5ml into a bunch of aptasia over a 15 minute time frame. Could this have caused the issue? I have used this product in the past without any ill effects, normally I run carbon during and afterward but I neglected to yesterday.

I replaced my carbon as soon as it happened and I am on my way to the pet store to get a new polyfilter.

Does anybody have any idea what could have caused this and what I can do to save the rest of my animals?

[mike_cmu04]

Did you not mix your salt to the right salinity? Also test your alk i know high alk can couse those problems.

[firstlight10]

I mixed my salt the way I normally do to a salinity of 1.022. My hardness is 150ppm.

Update- no other corals died and the ones that are left aren't showing signs of stress.

[ritter6788]

Originally Posted by firstlight10

I mixed my salt the way I normally do to a salinity of 1.022.
.

I'd shoot for 1.026

[Peter T]

Did you use a new mixing container for your water? Did you switch salt brands? Did you have anything on your hands that could of gotten in the mix when you mixed the salt including soap/cleaning agents? Sorry lots of questions but for something to happen that drastic so quickly I think something big had to affect your aquarium. I would wait and watch for a few days to see if your corals recover. If they do not I would do another WC with all sterile equipment. I do not have any experience using aiptasia-x so I do not know if too much of it could do that.

Also as ritter stated, I would shoot for .026. But bring that up slowly and do not go from .022 to .026 all at once.

[firstlight10]

I used the same mixing container and same bag of Instant Ocean Salt I had been using. As far as I know I didn't have anything on my hands and I don't allow any soap/ cleaning agents anywhere near my tank or equipment.

I am also confused as the damage seems localized, some unaffected corals are right next to affected ones.

[KeMo]

Did you turn the lights off ? When you take water out of the tank and leave the lights on . It does tend to get stronger. You should turn the light off when you do a water change.

[firstlight10]

I did not turn my lights off and usually don't. I did a 20% water change as usual. I run 98 watts divided as follows, 48 watts of 12k T5 and 40 watts ofT8 actinic.

[Peter T]

Hmm...maybe did you not mix the salt thoroughly and poured it in at that specific spot at the tank? If that is the case the salt could of burned the corals and hence the localized damage.

[mscarpena]

Originally Posted by KeMo

Did you turn the lights off ? When you take water out of the tank and leave the lights on . It does tend to get stronger. You should turn the light off when you do a water change.

This would not cause that issue. Your water change take a few minutes to do. Slightly more intense lighting for 5 minutes would not hurt any corals or anything. I have been reefing for 8 years one tank had a 250 MH on it and never turned the lights off for a wc and never had any issues. Think about it its a much large change when your lights go off then flick on in the morning. I have no dawn to duck effect on my tank and run 175 MH and 3 watt cree LEDS and no issues at all.

[firstlight10]

Update- My xenia and soft corals are recovering. The LPS and SPS frags that were affected haven't recovered. I still haven't been able to pinpoint a cause but I am going to do a better job of ensuring my water is mixed before putting it into my tank.

[Jarret]

Maybe it's possible that either the new or used powerhead you put in there leaked out some electricity into the tank?

I know you said everything is starting to recover but just a thought that crossed my mind.

[firstlight10]

That is a good idea however I don't think its likely. All of my powerheads are Maxi-jets which are one piece housings. I didn't notice any damage on any of the cords or housings. I also didn't feel a shock when my hand was in the tank.

I am pretty sure it was either the salt not being mixed long enough or the Aptasia X or a combination of the two.

[kduen]

I accidentally got some Aptasia X on one of my mini SPS colonies and in that spot the dissue pretty much disentagraded. After about two weeks the tissue was back with polyps. Aptasia X says it wont do any damage and is completly reef safe which just isnt the case.

[firstlight10]

Originally Posted by kduen

I accidentally got some Aptasia X on one of my mini SPS colonies and in that spot the dissue pretty much disentagraded. After about two weeks the tissue was back with polyps. Aptasia X says it wont do any damage and is completly reef safe which just isnt the case.

First off sorry for your loss, I am glad to know I am not the only one who has had trouble with Aptasia X. I will definitely be more careful when using it.

[andrewk529]

Originally Posted by ritter6788

I'd shoot for 1.026

+1, I've noticed stress on corals from low salinity levels.