Lobos - do I need to worry?

[dbaulch83]

Hiya, had this one for about a year and it’s gradually grown seemingly from strength to strength (have pictured when I first got it).
Recently - the last month or so, it’s developed this discolouration in the centre. It appears clear. Nothing significant in the parameters, and no change to a stable 2 year old system. I run very low nitrate and phosphate and KH around 8, but always have. Have pictured the entire tank for general assessment of health.
Is this normal or should I take action?
TIA

 

[Tahoe61]

Low N/P, how low?
It's a beautiful piece that looks hungry, are you target feeding it?
The side effects of chronically low nitrate and phosphate values may take along time to become apparent.
Looks like a gorgeous tank.

 

[dbaulch83]

Thanks for the reply. Nitrates have been below 5 but detectable for about 18 months and phosphate kits says 0. My eye test kit says some is available as I have the occasional small tuft of GHA.
You may be onto something with target feeding. I had, about 3/4 months ago moved from target to broadcast feeding. Hadn’t noticed any issues (can still see active growing) but had not made the connection with this one. I’ll start that up again!

 

[Shirak]

Thanks for the reply. Nitrates have been below 5 but detectable for about 18 months and phosphate kits says 0. My eye test kit says some is available as I have the occasional small tuft of GHA.
You may be onto something with target feeding. I had, about 3/4 months ago moved from target to broadcast feeding. Hadn’t noticed any issues (can still see active growing) but had not made the connection with this one. I’ll start that up again!

Well that would certainly do it. Test kits have a margin of error so even a low reading might be 0. I aim to keep PO4 between .05 - .1 and NO3 around 10-15ppm. Even with those numbers my LPS always did better when I target fed them a couple times a week. But I never had a really large fish load and did heavy broadcast feeding so I found target feeding my corals was helpful.

 

[BryanM]

Running low nitrates and phosphates is almost certainly starving your critters.

Target feeding seems necessary in this environment.

 

[dbaulch83]

Just thought I’d update on this one from a while ago, I was worried but seems this was actually an early sign of splitting, never seen it before so showing you guys in case you’re in the same position. Seems the paler area is where the split will be. Very happy to have more soon!