Post by Carl on Jan 10, 2013 10:51:58 GMT -5
Sorry to read the problems persist.
I wish I had an easy answer or any specific answer to your problems
I do think that your method of using a turkey baster along with stirring the sand/substrate may be part of the problem
A possibility is de-nitrifying bacteria Paracoccus denitrificans and pseudomonads killed the corals.
Many Heterotrophic bacteria found in substrate and in live rock, while generally considered helpful, can also become pathogenic.
Aeromonas, another known pathogen, is also often found in substrates.
A related question is how and when you use Dr. Tim's Waste-Away?
I will note that I have had issues with Reef tanks and even freshwater aquariums when substrate is stirred.
I know the use of a turkey baster for cleaning is popular, but other than very cautious use to blow out live rock (even then I personally question this practice) it should not be used for cleaning.
Feeding corals would be my only use for this kitchen tool.
I did a long term study in the late 70s to early 80s with different cleaning methods and found a higher disease incidence among even fish with methods that stir up the tank (including use of basters) versus a careful use of a gravel vacuum.
For some reason these methods appear to be making a comeback even in fish only tanks.
Another thought is your sand depth, while I have kept reef tanks with just 2 inches of sand, I usually kept more than 4 inches of sand.
In this substrate; I used primarily #00 Oolitic sand with 1/2" of #3 crushed coral sand on top.
This yielded me the best results and also made for much easier cleaning.
See also these articles:
Marine Aquarium Care (Substrate section in particular)
Hydrogen Sulfides
Carl
I wish I had an easy answer or any specific answer to your problems
I do think that your method of using a turkey baster along with stirring the sand/substrate may be part of the problem
A possibility is de-nitrifying bacteria Paracoccus denitrificans and pseudomonads killed the corals.
Many Heterotrophic bacteria found in substrate and in live rock, while generally considered helpful, can also become pathogenic.
Aeromonas, another known pathogen, is also often found in substrates.
A related question is how and when you use Dr. Tim's Waste-Away?
I will note that I have had issues with Reef tanks and even freshwater aquariums when substrate is stirred.
I know the use of a turkey baster for cleaning is popular, but other than very cautious use to blow out live rock (even then I personally question this practice) it should not be used for cleaning.
Feeding corals would be my only use for this kitchen tool.
I did a long term study in the late 70s to early 80s with different cleaning methods and found a higher disease incidence among even fish with methods that stir up the tank (including use of basters) versus a careful use of a gravel vacuum.
For some reason these methods appear to be making a comeback even in fish only tanks.
Another thought is your sand depth, while I have kept reef tanks with just 2 inches of sand, I usually kept more than 4 inches of sand.
In this substrate; I used primarily #00 Oolitic sand with 1/2" of #3 crushed coral sand on top.
This yielded me the best results and also made for much easier cleaning.
See also these articles:
Marine Aquarium Care (Substrate section in particular)
Hydrogen Sulfides
Carl