Euphylia Issues

[Jimmy G]

I have 3 species, Torch,Hammer,FrogSpawn. All have been in the tank for at least 2 years, FrogSpawn longer. Out of the blue the Torch has lost a head and the Hammer (Wall Type) lost a few polyps on the left side. FrogSpawn is fine but it has lost heads in the past .
Both the Torch and FrogSpawn were grown from 2 headed Frags to large colonies. A few years ago I lost a large Torch Colony for no apparent reason.
No other corals are affected when this has happened, only the Euphylias.
Tank is a 125 Gallon mixed Reef running for over 6 years. Other corals include, Acropora,Montipora,Caulastrea,Brain corals,Ricordia,Zoos,Hydnophora,Galaxia(no its not near the affected corals)
Lighting is 3x250W Hqi MH, DSB, ASM skimmer.
SG 1.025
Alk 10 dkh
Cal. 400
maintained by Kalk for all top-off though LiterMeter III
Turbo Calcium and Baking soda when needed

Any thoughts?

Thanks, Jimmy

 

[Len]

Hmmm. Interesting mystery indeed. I've had some people ('experts') tell me that strontium could be the issue here. I think your best course of action is to switch from using CaCl (turbo calcium) and baking soda to a full-range two part supplement like bionic.

 

[Anonymous]

Where is the Hydnophora located? They're pretty aggressive.

 

[Jimmy G]

Well, I've never dosed Strontium nor have I tested for it. Figured water changes would keep that where it should be.
Really don't want to spend the money on the B-Ionic. I think Kent Strontium is pretty inexpensive maybe I'll try that.

 

[Rikko]

I was under the impression that B-Ionic was just calcium and carbonate.. Should have the same net effects as CaCl/NaCwhatever.. Is there any extra goodness in it?

I had a few heads of my various Euphyllia die from time to time.. I suspected light and/or flow in each case.
I think flow because the powerheads which provided the majority of the current around those corals had become clogged and the flow was quite a bit lessened. My lights had also gone quite a while without changing (to the point where it was noticeably a different colour coming off the bulbs).
No scientific data, I'm afraid, but maybe something to think about...

 

[FragMaster]

I was under the impression that B-Ionic was just calcium and carbonate.. Should have the same net effects as CaCl/NaCwhatever.. Is there any extra goodness in it?

Yep.
It provides all other major and minor trace elements.
I have used it for 5 years or so now. Never an ill effect when used as directed, and nothing but good things to say about it.
My corals love it ( sps and lps).
My coraline has grown off the charts on a regular basis.
I have to regularly scrape the front of the tank off where new coraline growth has occurred.
My sps are growing steadly and staying thick and healthy. My hammer has grown from 1 head to 9 inside of 1.5 years.

I have two retracted and dying polyps on it ( not included in the count of 9) but I know exactly what its from. The only postition it can be housed in inside my over crowded tank leaves those particular polyps partialy eclipsed.

I have never dosed strontium solutions or mag. solutions by them selves but this means nothing as I am sure my other additives already have it in them. Like B-ionic.