Believe it or not, coral warfare may be the reason you lose corals. When corals are in distress, you might quickly check chemicals levels only to find you have normal parameters. The distress may be due to chemicals. Toadstool mushrooms release terpenoids. Cyanobacteria release chemicals toxic to pods in high levels, the ocean inhabitant that normally keep it in check. They also keep oxygen from what they cover which can cause dieback. Sponges are known to release chemicals as well. I have been battling chemical warfare in my tank with carbon and water changes. It has become more pronounced after I reduce tank flow. In addition, when I removed my glass tank lids, my evaporation rate has reduced. When it drops, my Hang-on skimmer does not work as efficiently. I am still waiting to see if I have been nice so I can use an Auto top off (ATO) to keep my water level even.
Below are some examples of corals feeling the effects of coral warfare. The first is Xenia. 4 days ago I noticed a few heads looking bad. I changed and added carbon a day later, but not soon enough. Today it is gone. Well mostly gone, I did give a sample to a fellow reefer a few weeks earlier.
The first pic is the Xenia isolated on a rock front and center. My tank had too much flow to really see it pump.
Then 4 days ago I noticed it was in distress, the blue level is due to evening lighting.
Today, it is gone. I added a gallon of fresh water to replace evaporation and get the skimmer working better.
My Duncan has gone from adding heads and being a medusa to not extending and then losing heads.
Here it is starting not extending. The blue Sympodium in this picture is also mostly gone.
It is now 5 heads down now.
Here is a chalice that is dying back.
Changing and adding more carbon and 8% water changes wasn't enough. I will now do the old standby When in doubt, flush it out (with large water changes).
Lastly, fish may be susceptible. I haven't added a fish in about 1-1/2 years. My Royal Gramma died with do external signs of disease. It was caught against my filter intake grill. I don't know if toxic chemicals are to blame.
Below are some examples of corals feeling the effects of coral warfare. The first is Xenia. 4 days ago I noticed a few heads looking bad. I changed and added carbon a day later, but not soon enough. Today it is gone. Well mostly gone, I did give a sample to a fellow reefer a few weeks earlier.
The first pic is the Xenia isolated on a rock front and center. My tank had too much flow to really see it pump.
Then 4 days ago I noticed it was in distress, the blue level is due to evening lighting.
Today, it is gone. I added a gallon of fresh water to replace evaporation and get the skimmer working better.
My Duncan has gone from adding heads and being a medusa to not extending and then losing heads.
Here it is starting not extending. The blue Sympodium in this picture is also mostly gone.
It is now 5 heads down now.
Here is a chalice that is dying back.
Changing and adding more carbon and 8% water changes wasn't enough. I will now do the old standby When in doubt, flush it out (with large water changes).
Lastly, fish may be susceptible. I haven't added a fish in about 1-1/2 years. My Royal Gramma died with do external signs of disease. It was caught against my filter intake grill. I don't know if toxic chemicals are to blame.