Over the last month or so, my corals have been receding and bleaching out. Before that they were generally doing OK, but I wouldn't say thriving. But now, many of them are almost dead. I've been trying different things to try to bring them back, but so far have not stumbled across anything that helps. I know I'm supposed to keep things stable and they will adapt, but I haven't able to do that, since I'm thinking something is out of whack.
As background, the tank/system is about 2.5 years old. The parameters are within range, which was confirmed by Triton's ICP test about 1 month ago. Here's a link to the results ... https://www.triton-lab.de/en/showroom/aquarium/auswertung-b/icp-oes/88856/. I also have been running the Triton method for over a year, including a thriving 10 gallon refugium. Also, my display tank is 40 gallons and the sump is 10 gallons. I also have a Kessil A360X light, which I just reduced to 8% intensity, since I thought that might be part of the problem.
My parameter measurements are:
So what am I doing wrong? Am I not seeing something obvious?
Below are pictures of the corals, as of today:
As background, the tank/system is about 2.5 years old. The parameters are within range, which was confirmed by Triton's ICP test about 1 month ago. Here's a link to the results ... https://www.triton-lab.de/en/showroom/aquarium/auswertung-b/icp-oes/88856/. I also have been running the Triton method for over a year, including a thriving 10 gallon refugium. Also, my display tank is 40 gallons and the sump is 10 gallons. I also have a Kessil A360X light, which I just reduced to 8% intensity, since I thought that might be part of the problem.
My parameter measurements are:
- Alkalinity runs 8.0-8.5 dKh (Hanna checker)
- Nitrates generally show zero (LaMotte kit). Although, I've been doing Brightwell NeoNitro a little to try to get it to register. Could that be an issue?
- Phosphates have been running as high as 0.2 ppm, but lately have been about .04 ppm per Hanna ULR Phosphorus checker. I also use Brightwell Phosphate-E to control the phosphates.
- Calcium was 458, per my last test (Salifert) - this is controlled by Core7
- Magnesium was 1,364 per last test (Salifert) - this is controlled by Core7
- Salinity is 1.0250, per calibrated refractometer using Brightwell Refractometer Calibration Standard to 35 ppt Salinity
- Temperature is 78° F
- pH runs around 8.0-8.1, using a CO2 Buffer
Below are pictures of the corals, as of today: