Brown jelly ID/ question

rmlevasseur · 01-21-2009, 10:29 PM

If you read a recent thread of mine, you know I added a new sump this last weekend and in the process I really disturbed my tank. The water is almost back to normal, but I did a lot of damage to several of my corals.

I have a very large show-piece frogspawn, probably 50 heads. The froggie has still not opened up. I've noticed brown streaks not on the "tentacle" portions but rather on the fleshy part that attaches the head to the calcium base. I've never had brown jelly before so I don't know what to expect. The brown streaks are on the bases all of the heads. Here are some pics and what it used to look like.

Does this look like jelly to you, and if so what should I do? I couldn't bring myself to toss this out. The brown does kinda blow off, but requires a decent amount of flow. Some of the head on the very edge do seem to be deteriorating a little.

This is really breaking my heart. Anything I can do besides wait it out?

seafansar · 01-21-2009, 10:40 PM

That does not look like brown jelly to me. Brown jelly really looks like clear/brown jelly growing on top of the coral and blows off easily. You could try dipping the coral in iodine solution. If it does have a disease, that should help. Sorry about your coral. Hope it recovers soon! That's a nice piece!

BigAl07 · 01-21-2009, 10:42 PM

Honestly I've never seen those "Streaks" but that doesn't mean it's NOT that dang BJD. Hoe large is that colony?

If it does turn out to be BJD you'll want to FRAG that colony, do IODINE/FW dips and increase flow. If it were my tank and it does come out to be BJD I'd remove some un-affected heads to another tank somewhere ASAP! It's FAST so keep an eye on it.

What a LOVELY animal.

ReefLady · 01-21-2009, 10:55 PM

I'd say no. Brown jelly is more like a mass of gelatinous "goop" on the coral. Keep a close eye, increase the flow if possible. Personally, I wouldn't move it, dip it, or anything. Maybe do another WC, blow it off with a turkey baster. Watch it closely.

Best of luck!

rmlevasseur · 01-21-2009, 11:11 PM

Thank you all for the replies so far. I think I'll just wait it out. I did an iodine dip on some zoanthids once and lost the whole rock, so I've been kinda soured on the iodine dips. I have increased flow a tad, although I'm sure that will hinder it opening up. Its been 4 days now since its been closed up, and it has always been a trouble free coral until now. I also hate the thought of fragging it up, but I'll do what I have to.

ReefLady · 01-21-2009, 11:14 PM

Please keep us posted. All params test okay now?

I'd look at dipping/fragging both as a last resort. IME/IMO, both stress the coral.

(fingers crossed for you)

rmlevasseur · 01-21-2009, 11:31 PM

Yea, params are all perfect. Tested everything last night. Water is still a little cloudy, but almost back to normal. Something is still a little weird though. Normally my ORP is around 400, but i've been pumping in ozone and can only get it at 305. I'm also having a hard time getting the skimmer readjusted in the new sump, but otherwise i'm not sure why it isn't back to normal yet.

funkpolice · 01-22-2009, 12:49 AM

vdituri · 01-22-2009, 01:21 AM

My view would be that you disturbed the tank (and sandbed?) like you said.
This caused particals to enter the water column and this irritated the frogspawn.
This caused them to slime up a little bit extra.
The slime caught extra particles out of the water causing them to look brown.

I say wait it out and run some carbon.
Do not toss that beautiful colony.

With brown jelly an entire head will melt into brown goo.

sasquatch · 01-22-2009, 01:50 AM

allelopathy?

BLAKEJOHN · 01-22-2009, 03:21 AM

Brown jelly looks like this......

reefer4200 · 01-22-2009, 04:38 AM

i would definately be running carbon, and imo it is not BJD....i hope that colony recovers asap its a beautiful piece!

kospaintball · 01-22-2009, 07:13 AM

Wow, how long have you had that Frog spawn? How many heads were there when you acquired it? Also what do you feed it?

Do be careful about the flow you put towards it as i have read that frog spawn can cut its self on its on coralites under heavier flow and in a period of stress could develop a disease.

rmlevasseur · 01-22-2009, 02:24 PM

Thanks. There was no sand bed disturbed. All I did was add a new very large sump and plumb it in. The cause of the cloudiness is a complete mystery to me. I don't think it was the TFE paste, but I won't use it again anyway. What is bothering me the most is that the colony is making no attemp to reopen at all. I have been running extra amounts of carbon nonstop since the addition of the new sump. The skimmer is still foaming like crazy, but it is a very clear foam. I'm not pulling much out via skimmer at all. Water is a lot clearer but the corals still haven't responded.

BigAl07 · 01-22-2009, 03:46 PM

Something is "Off" in there. Any chance for a larger than usual water change to help dilute the "Mystery" ailment?

At least (trying to make a POSITIVE moment here) it's most likely NOT BJD or the colony would be pretty much GONE by now.

Did the new sump have any silicone (fresh or otherwise) in it?

Was it DIY or purchased built?

01-21-2009, 10:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
rmlevasseur Acropora Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,849 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Brown jelly ID/ question If you read a recent thread of mine, you know I added a new sump this last weekend and in the process I really disturbed my tank. The water is almost back to normal, but I did a lot of damage to several of my corals. I have a very large show-piece frogspawn, probably 50 heads. The froggie has still not opened up. I've noticed brown streaks not on the "tentacle" portions but rather on the fleshy part that attaches the head to the calcium base. I've never had brown jelly before so I don't know what to expect. The brown streaks are on the bases all of the heads. Here are some pics and what it used to look like. Does this look like jelly to you, and if so what should I do? I couldn't bring myself to toss this out. The brown does kinda blow off, but requires a decent amount of flow. Some of the head on the very edge do seem to be deteriorating a little. This is really breaking my heart. Anything I can do besides wait it out? __________________ Robert http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ufas-tank.html

01-21-2009, 10:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
seafansar Elegance coral Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Deltona, FL Posts: 1,191 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Brown jelly ID/ question That does not look like brown jelly to me. Brown jelly really looks like clear/brown jelly growing on top of the coral and blows off easily. You could try dipping the coral in iodine solution. If it does have a disease, that should help. Sorry about your coral. Hope it recovers soon! That's a nice piece! __________________ -Sara SW since Jan. '08 150 gallon SPS reef 20 gallon BTA/clown tank 90 gallon bowfront mixed reef 45 gallon cube 150 tank thread 45 cube thread My Reefnook

01-21-2009, 10:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
BigAl07 Do I look as lost as I am Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 21,549 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Brown jelly ID/ question Honestly I've never seen those "Streaks" but that doesn't mean it's NOT that dang BJD. Hoe large is that colony? If it does turn out to be BJD you'll want to FRAG that colony, do IODINE/FW dips and increase flow. If it were my tank and it does come out to be BJD I'd remove some un-affected heads to another tank somewhere ASAP! It's FAST so keep an eye on it. What a LOVELY animal. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Live Rock Rubble will do the SAME thing as Bio-Balls and is NOT a suitable replacement for BIO-BALLS in a Reef System! It's ALL gotta go!!* Nitrate (NO3) reduction is directly proportional to percentage of Water Change. Allen's home-made formula...currentNO3-((%WC.01)currentNO3)=finalNO3 (thanks Luukosian) This means if you change 50% of your total water volume (That's EVERYTHING) you'll get a net reduction of (NO3) somewhere around 50%. Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube Gone but not forgotten BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef

01-21-2009, 10:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
ReefLady Tridacna maxima Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 4,590 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Brown jelly ID/ question I'd say no. Brown jelly is more like a mass of gelatinous "goop" on the coral. Keep a close eye, increase the flow if possible. Personally, I wouldn't move it, dip it, or anything. Maybe do another WC, blow it off with a turkey baster. Watch it closely. Best of luck! __________________ ~ Teri -------- "You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice." ~(currently tankless)~ Our 180g sps tank / DIY adventure (taken down in late 2006): Our 180g DIY Reef Project ---What's next????

01-21-2009, 11:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
rmlevasseur Acropora Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,849 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Brown jelly ID/ question Thank you all for the replies so far. I think I'll just wait it out. I did an iodine dip on some zoanthids once and lost the whole rock, so I've been kinda soured on the iodine dips. I have increased flow a tad, although I'm sure that will hinder it opening up. Its been 4 days now since its been closed up, and it has always been a trouble free coral until now. I also hate the thought of fragging it up, but I'll do what I have to. __________________ Robert http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ufas-tank.html

01-21-2009, 11:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
ReefLady Tridacna maxima Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 4,590 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Brown jelly ID/ question Please keep us posted. All params test okay now? I'd look at dipping/fragging both as a last resort. IME/IMO, both stress the coral. (fingers crossed for you) __________________ ~ Teri -------- "You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice." ~(currently tankless)~ Our 180g sps tank / DIY adventure (taken down in late 2006): Our 180g DIY Reef Project ---What's next????

01-21-2009, 11:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
rmlevasseur Acropora Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,849 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Brown jelly ID/ question Yea, params are all perfect. Tested everything last night. Water is still a little cloudy, but almost back to normal. Something is still a little weird though. Normally my ORP is around 400, but i've been pumping in ozone and can only get it at 305. I'm also having a hard time getting the skimmer readjusted in the new sump, but otherwise i'm not sure why it isn't back to normal yet. __________________ Robert http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ufas-tank.html

01-22-2009, 12:49 AM	#8 (permalink)
funkpolice Reef Lobster Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Orland Park IL Posts: 1,396 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Brown jelly ID/ question

01-22-2009, 01:21 AM	#9 (permalink)
vdituri Excellent Guesser :D Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 6,244 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Brown jelly ID/ question My view would be that you disturbed the tank (and sandbed?) like you said. This caused particals to enter the water column and this irritated the frogspawn. This caused them to slime up a little bit extra. The slime caught extra particles out of the water causing them to look brown. I say wait it out and run some carbon. Do not toss that beautiful colony. With brown jelly an entire head will melt into brown goo. __________________ Victor ----- People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

01-22-2009, 01:50 AM	#10 (permalink)
sasquatch Brunt of all Jokes~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the very farthest west coast of canada Posts: 8,981 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Brown jelly ID/ question allelopathy?

01-22-2009, 03:21 AM	#11 (permalink)
BLAKEJOHN Elegance coral Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: KINGSTON, I.L. Posts: 1,073 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Brown jelly ID/ question Brown jelly looks like this...... __________________ 110 gallon acrylic 1 Yellow Tang, 1 Blue Tang, 2 Eng Gobies, 1 Six Line Wrasse, 1 Tomato Clown, 1 Lion fish RBTA, Longspine Urchin, Approx. 200 snails Red Monti, Purple Rim Monti, Leathers, Elegence, Yellow Polyps, various Zoa's, FrogSpawn, Ricordias, Greenbirdsnest, Pink Milli, Blue Milli, Bonzai, unknown Acropora's, Purple Digi, GSP, Bubble Coral, Staghorn, Slimer

01-22-2009, 04:38 AM	#12 (permalink)
reefer4200 Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: BG, IL Posts: 1,000 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Brown jelly ID/ question i would definately be running carbon, and imo it is not BJD....i hope that colony recovers asap its a beautiful piece!

01-22-2009, 07:13 AM	#13 (permalink)
kospaintball Scopas Tang Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 453 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Brown jelly ID/ question Wow, how long have you had that Frog spawn? How many heads were there when you acquired it? Also what do you feed it? Do be careful about the flow you put towards it as i have read that frog spawn can cut its self on its on coralites under heavier flow and in a period of stress could develop a disease. __________________ 14 gal nano 1 maroon, 1 clown goby, metalic green hairy mushroom, trumpets, Devil's hand leather, Frog spawn, kenya tree short tentacled plate, cinularis tree, zoas, clove coral

01-22-2009, 02:24 PM	#14 (permalink)
rmlevasseur Acropora Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,849 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Brown jelly ID/ question Thanks. There was no sand bed disturbed. All I did was add a new very large sump and plumb it in. The cause of the cloudiness is a complete mystery to me. I don't think it was the TFE paste, but I won't use it again anyway. What is bothering me the most is that the colony is making no attemp to reopen at all. I have been running extra amounts of carbon nonstop since the addition of the new sump. The skimmer is still foaming like crazy, but it is a very clear foam. I'm not pulling much out via skimmer at all. Water is a lot clearer but the corals still haven't responded. __________________ Robert http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ufas-tank.html

01-22-2009, 03:46 PM	#15 (permalink)
BigAl07 Do I look as lost as I am Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 21,549 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Brown jelly ID/ question Something is "Off" in there. Any chance for a larger than usual water change to help dilute the "Mystery" ailment? At least (trying to make a POSITIVE moment here) it's most likely NOT BJD or the colony would be pretty much GONE by now. Did the new sump have any silicone (fresh or otherwise) in it? Was it DIY or purchased built? __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Live Rock Rubble will do the SAME thing as Bio-Balls and is NOT a suitable replacement for BIO-BALLS in a Reef System! It's ALL gotta go!!* Nitrate (NO3) reduction is directly proportional to percentage of Water Change. Allen's home-made formula...currentNO3-((%WC.01)currentNO3)=finalNO3 (thanks Luukosian) This means if you change 50% of your total water volume (That's EVERYTHING) you'll get a net reduction of (NO3) somewhere around 50%. Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube Gone but not forgotten BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)