At Wits End....SPS dying. NO2 and PO4 Low

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InkedReefLady

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Don't you add the Alk separately with ESV? Just mix up a batch with low alk (around 6-7).

I use IO so im not familiar with all the fancy new salt. I ventured out of my comfort zone with a box of Fritz and had a bad experience. Ive heard great things about ESV though. I used to get it from a local fish store premixed back in the day when i had a pico on my desk at work.

Yes, everything is added separate. I guess I could use even less of that one part to get an even lower starting alk for the change.

The ESV came on a reccomendation from a friend in the business. I really like it. No crummy slime in the brute can and quick mixing!
 
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InkedReefLady

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Just for companion sake, here's the left side of the tank, middle, right and full tank shot. You'll see the worst are on the right. Those 3 especially. They've been the ones to tank the last week or so. The left side seems to do fine. Middle lost all of its purple and blue.Not sure what the issue is.

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TheHarold

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No. I haven't done one in months, but did one just a few days ago when we did 30 gallons. But same salt we've had.

Roger. So you think it’s nutrients? I would HIGHLY suggest trying an icp test- earlier one identified rust in one of my tanks.
 

Biglurr54

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High all is most likely your issue. Get that down over a week and then stay your course. Aim for 8.0. Don't change anything for 2 months when all gets to 8.0.
 

Flippers4pups

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Or as others have stated with excessive alkalinity or very low alkalinity, swings in water parameters that can stress corals.
 

DesertReefT4r

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dKH is too high for such low nutrients. Lower all to like 8 ish. I run 9.5 with 5-10ppm po3 and .06po4. Good luck.
Yeah for sure. 12dhk is way high for that low of no3 and po4. Now dont get me wrong you current no3 and po4 levels are fine where they are so dont go chancing numbers. You just want to have some detectable no3 and po4 in the water. Get you alk dow to 7.6-8.0 and see if that helps. Do it slowly.
 
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InkedReefLady

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I would reduce your light intensity some during this time. Paling corals could be a sign of low nutrients and or too much light intensity.

I have 3 ReefBrite strips on this system and 2 Kessils (Kessils are all tuned to blue, though). Unfortunately, there is no way (I know of) to control the ReefBrites. I can turn 1 off but as far as I know, I cannot ramp them up and down.

Thoughts?
 

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Dont force your alk down. That will.cause more problems. Let it come down naturally. Even if it takes a few weeks. It's not insanely high. I've had a calcium reactor take off on me when I first set it up(my own fault) and my all hit 24dkh. Yes 24... I didnt loose 1 sps. Uea they faded in color. But I didnt freak out I didnt force it back down. I gave it a month and a half and let ic come back down naturally with small water changes and natural uptake. When it was all said and done everything survived (I obviously didnt add anything during this period) I personally run my alk at 10dkh normally with calcium at 450 mag t 1400 and my po4 is roughly .05-.12 nitrates are at 4. And I've had amazing color and growth. But it really didn't start till the tank was about 2 yrs old. (For sps anyway)
 
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