Things that can shock corals...

[Ed Hahn]

I keep hearing different things that put corals into shock or protective mode, sometimes the corals never recover.

I know that Softies can affect growth of SPS. Corals are always fighting for terrritory.
I know that temperature can shock corals.
Too much direct current can shock corals..
What else?
Thanks in Advance,
Ed

 

[NaH2O]

I think any big parameter swing will cause some stress (i.e. pH swing), and change in lighting (improved lighting - acclimate the corals).

 

[MikeS]

On the pH swings....I've been doing some reading on that as of late, and there really isn't a great deal of information out there on the effects of pH swings on corals. I think the effects of pH swings on corals are subject to quite a few varibles, like how rapid the swing is, how great the swing is, what actually caused the swing, ect. From the reading I've been doing it seems that as long as the pH stays within "normal" parameters, there really isn't much to suggest that there is necessarily a negative effect on corals when talking about swings. I'm sure there are of course exceptions, like corals that are more pH sensitive like xenia, but would adverse reactions be due to the swing in pH, or the actual pH value itself?

On shocking corals...I think Light is a good area to look at...ie sudden changes in intensity or spectrum compared to what a particular coral is currently adapted to in the tank...that can cause stress and shock...

MikeS

 

[MikeS]

How about this one....pushing up specific chemical levels substantially over NSW values, like Ca, alk, borate alk, Mg, ect ect....

MikeS

 

[Scooterman]

Want sudden shock, add one cat, works every time (I know this)!

 

[MikeS]

oh yeah....I forgot to mention adding cats to the tank :lol: I bet that was a shock...for everybody involved... :lol:

MikeS

 

[NaH2O]

MikeS - interesting about pH. I suppose the cause of the pH swing would be the stressor.....like a big change in alk? What about the stress of accidentally dumping in a couple of gallons of Kalkwasser to the water too fast?

pushing up specific chemical levels substantially over NSW values, like Ca, alk, borate alk, Mg, ect ect....

Agreed these would cause stress to the coral, as we've learned that the coral is trying to get rid of calcium and does so by depositing it....too much calcium then the coral has to work extra hard.

Maybe we should define what "shock" is? Something that would cause irrepairable damage, or just "stress"?

 

[CarlaW]

Want sudden shock, add one cat, works every time (I know this)!

I'm not sure about this, but I don't think that cats really acclimate well to saltwater.

 

[MikeS]

MikeS - interesting about pH. I suppose the cause of the pH swing would be the stressor.....like a big change in alk? What about the stress of accidentally dumping in a couple of gallons of Kalkwasser to the water too fast?

Exactly Nikki...in that particular case, we'd likely be looking at a pH substantially above normal NSW values...now say if the amount of kalk added only raised the pH from 8.3 to 8.5 or so, I'd doubt that much harm at all would come of it, even if it was a pretty rapid shift...

Maybe we should define what "shock" is? Something that would cause irrepairable damage, or just "stress"?

good question...off the top of my head I would define shock as a condition where the normal biological functions and reactions of the animal are significantly disrupted...obviously there are going to be varying degrees of this state...

MikeS

 

[Ed Hahn]

I was thinking of things that could possibly kill a coral or start the RTN process. I am sorry for late response.