Nursuing beautiful sick acropora - Need help -

Dive_Master · 03-17-2005, 06:59 PM

I just got a beautiful piece of acro from a friend. It has started to bleach on one side and lost some tissue on 2-3 tips.

I want to nursue it back to health.

Do I put her lower to the tank and let her acclimate?

She is in the middle of 75 gallon tank under 250 10000k lights with lots of current on her.

Do I clip the dead tips?

What are some things that I can do to get her back to normal

Samper · 03-17-2005, 07:46 PM

Some people cut off the bleaching parts with success. I bought a frag a while back that I have yet to ID and it was bleaching on one side. I started it low in the system as you have and slowly moved it up to the top. I didn't clip the bleaching part off and just today noticed that tissue had started to regrow over the area in question. I think provided the right conditions they can fully recover.

***zhenya*** · 03-17-2005, 10:56 PM

FWIW, I would definately cut off dead/affected tips or branches and place it in a not so bright area for a while to recover. If it is bleaching especially, you don't want really bright light hitting it, little to the side from the center of the bulb is where I place coral that needs recovery. Good flow is very important as well.

Topaz · 03-19-2005, 07:09 AM

I get results if i clean the dead tissue off with a old toothbrush and keep the alge off the dead areas and in time the affected areas regenerate.

***Reefland*** · 03-19-2005, 08:15 AM

Hi Topaz, Welcome to Reefland!

I agree with removing any spots that are already dead. If the coral recovers the tissue will quickly cover the cut tips.

**kevinpo** · 03-19-2005, 11:58 AM

Some Acropora corals will quickly re-grow over the tips but others will get algae growth on them and have trouble fighting the algae off. I have done both ways, cut the dead part off, and left them to re-grow over the dead tips. So it really depends on the species. If you could post a picture (or know the species) it would help to give you the best advice. If you don't know the species or if the tissue recession continues I would cut the dead tips off and place a small amount of superglue on the cut to seal it. Lower light and high flow as mentioned before are also what I recommend.

HTH,
Kevin

03-17-2005, 06:59 PM	#1
Dive_Master Citizen Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 214	Nursuing beautiful sick acropora - Need help - I just got a beautiful piece of acro from a friend. It has started to bleach on one side and lost some tissue on 2-3 tips. I want to nursue it back to health. Do I put her lower to the tank and let her acclimate? She is in the middle of 75 gallon tank under 250 10000k lights with lots of current on her. Do I clip the dead tips? What are some things that I can do to get her back to normal

03-17-2005, 07:46 PM	#2
Samper Contributing Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,768	Some people cut off the bleaching parts with success. I bought a frag a while back that I have yet to ID and it was bleaching on one side. I started it low in the system as you have and slowly moved it up to the top. I didn't clip the bleaching part off and just today noticed that tissue had started to regrow over the area in question. I think provided the right conditions they can fully recover. __________________ Keep your heart pure conceive your own dreams Respect your fellow man the earth and the trees.

03-17-2005, 10:56 PM	#3
*zhenya* Owner Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: new jersey,usa Posts: 7,836	FWIW, I would definately cut off dead/affected tips or branches and place it in a not so bright area for a while to recover. If it is bleaching especially, you don't want really bright light hitting it, little to the side from the center of the bulb is where I place coral that needs recovery. Good flow is very important as well. __________________ Kind regards, Gene.

03-19-2005, 08:15 AM	#5
*Reefland* Owner Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Bardstown, KY Posts: 13,135	Hi Topaz, Welcome to Reefland! I agree with removing any spots that are already dead. If the coral recovers the tissue will quickly cover the cut tips. __________________ Scott Z. 75 Gallon Reef Log Powered by Reefland's Personal Online Aquarium Log

03-19-2005, 11:58 AM	#6
kevinpo Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Spokane Valley WA Posts: 2,450	Some Acropora corals will quickly re-grow over the tips but others will get algae growth on them and have trouble fighting the algae off. I have done both ways, cut the dead part off, and left them to re-grow over the dead tips. So it really depends on the species. If you could post a picture (or know the species) it would help to give you the best advice. If you don't know the species or if the tissue recession continues I would cut the dead tips off and place a small amount of superglue on the cut to seal it. Lower light and high flow as mentioned before are also what I recommend. HTH, Kevin __________________ SPSguy On - On

03-19-2005, 07:09 AM	#4
Topaz New in Town Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 1	I get results if i clean the dead tissue off with a old toothbrush and keep the alge off the dead areas and in time the affected areas regenerate.

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