SERIOUSLY!? CANT KEEP SPS

[Shawn.B]

Well I've been keeping my NO3 between 10 & 25ppm and testing daily. It would appear lack of nutrients isn't my issue- I've seen no increase or improvement thus far :(

 

[markalot]

Well I've been keeping my NO3 between 10 & 25ppm and testing daily. It would appear lack of nutrients isn't my issue- I've seen no increase or improvement thus far :(

High nitrates is not the answer, more food is, plus you raised nitrates really rapidly which will tick everything off. #1 lesson to learn is every change must be slow. :) PO4 around .05, NO3 around 5, and feed a good coral food so they can eat. As long as you make rapid changes nothing will get better. Most important, if you stay steady now you may not see improvements in the SPS for weeks or months.

If you want SPS that's what you have to have patience.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

So you think replacing my radions with a T5 fixture or a MH would help everything... I mean I've seen tons of tanks with LEDs doing great though

I'd add that folks with LED are also using a balance of all the above and not getting fussy on oddball numbers and percentages. And dialing it up and down and all over.


Spectrum debates aside

A t5 and mh forces you to keep a constant amount of light and makes you Balance everything to that level.


I set my leds the day I put them on and have not changed them.
I will be turning them up pretty soon but I'll be doing with a meter over time.
Btw I did the same thing wage I used my halide.

BTW I use a lux meter if a par meter is not an option for you.

Fwiw and IMO the worst thing about LED is the dimmers and slidey thingys
The next part is we're still in the transition and introduction phase.

 

[Shawn.B]

hey everyone! just a little update

no really good news to report

Biopellets have been removed, Carbon has been removed, GFO has been removed - phos control has been done using a liquid remover
PO4 0.2mg/l
No3 is holding at 0.25mg/l
Ca 450
Mg 1400
Alk 7.2

my LPS and Zoas are looking quite healthy with feedings every 2-3days - no growth however?

I've lost 2 pieces (milli & stag) to STN I have a few others holding on for dear life.

I've purchased a t5 fixture 4x 24w with a 250w MH from a local. im going to strip it down and modify it to have 4 T5s with a few royal blue LEDs.. the MH would be far too much light & electricity. I will be running 3 blue plus and 1 purple plus... I hope to have this project done after the holidays.

 

[Luke Schnabel]

Sounds good. I myself have not seen much improvement on my SPS either. I run no carbon now and I put up a small 2bulb T5 fixture.
Levels have been constant for two weeks now. Cal:450 Alk:7 Mg: 1400 No3: 5-10 PO4: .02
All my SPS are about 150-210 PAR

We will see if everything starts coming back soon

 

[Aslam Abraham]

Very interresting thread.:)

 

[Kungpaoshizi]

Perhaps I missed it but what dip are you using?

 

[Shawn.B]

Perhaps I missed it but what dip are you using?

I use coral RX

 

[Shawn.B]

Good news! Today I am starting to see Color coming back to the brown pieces!

Bad news is I feed my tank.. 2hrs latter came back and my red planet was in complete melt down tissue falling off in pieces

 

[Kungpaoshizi]

Have you tested for copper? Or have you done a Triton test?
I always keep some cuprisorb in the tank and switch it out when it gets gunked up.

Situation sounds pretty odd.. You don't live near any factories do ya?

As to the light questions, what's your peak in the tank? Lowest point at the beginning of the day?

I wanna say with the new par meter from the local club, I saw no lower than 200 par anywhere in my tank. Running gen 3 xr30w's...

Peak for me at "noon":
100-100-100-25-12-8 (v-b-lb-w-g-r) at 90%
Lowest entry:
65-100-100-10-4-3 (v-b-lb-w-g-r) at 70%

11 hours from lowest to peak to lowest. Including weak blues for actinic purposes/moon, 14.5 hours.

 

[MaiReef]

Okay, so although limited, this is what I have. Proper lighting and flow is key. Get your par to 300+ IMHO. Then I think varying food to all kinds seemed to bring about change in my SPS. Some powder, some crushed flake, and a large frozen buffet. My Pavona is growing up now as well as out with and my Horn and Pavona have better Polyp extension, but I do not have Acros, so take it for what it is worth.

 

[Tautog]

Prior to my recent increase in feeding algae was non existent in my tank, I could go a month without cleaning the glass.
more recently (2-3 weeks) I have just the usually brown/green haze on the glass after a few days, with a bit extending sporadically on the sand

would high end GAC take care of that?

Well there you go, no algae growth at all isn't good at all. Feed more often
I have LEDs, and commercial guys are going that way, I don't believe it's a lighting issue, mine are on 12 hrs per day

 

[Crmddp]

I've been doubting my lights and have considered going to T5
with my modifications to ensure a wide spectrum I just cant see it being the cause.

I would agree. Usually when I see browning out and regression it's an indicator the lighting is not right. I'm guessing from what you've said that should be something to consider changing up a bit.

 

[John Carroll]

Also in my tank I use GSP's to monitor my water. They are great indicators :)

What are GSPs?

John

 

[twilliard]

What are GSPs?

John

green star polyps

 

[John Carroll]

green star polyps

That is what I figured but I wanted to be sure. How are you using them as an indicator?

 

[twilliard]

That is what I figured but I wanted to be sure. How are you using them as an indicator?

They are quick to respond to chemistry change. They tell me by "hiding" when there is change. Kinda like using a birds nest, they too are great indicators of chemistry.

 

[John Carroll]

They are quick to respond to chemistry change. They tell me by "hiding" when there is change. Kinda like using a birds nest, they too are great indicators of chemistry.

I have never paid attention to the GSP but my Birdsnest is certainly a good indicator. It is always the first thing to RTN when there is something wrong. LOL

 

[Kungpaoshizi]

My favia will show it's mesenterial filaments when nutrients are low, my goniopora will shrink to nothing if nutrients are too high.
I had another buddy in a similar scenario who couldn't keep acro's to save his life. After turning up his lights a good 30% or so they stopped having necrosis after introduction. Of course these are just a few of the numerous problems that can be seen.

 

[Luke Schnabel]

Great, Now some of my Acros are starting to do this :(