Slowly losing all of my SPS - please help

[gideon2086]

Not sure what’s going on here. My tank is nearly fully automated and runs a CALrX. The only change is dosing Tropic Marin trace elements after an ICP showed my trace elements were low. One of my largest colonies is nearly completely gone and covered in algae now. It started with paling out and then browning tips. The adjacent coral is started to retract and pale on the tips as well. I’ve lost three other colonies in the last two weeks.
The tank is super stable - 8.5 dkh, 450 calc, 1350 mag, 15 ppm no3, 1.026 sal, 78 degrees.

I did a 60 gallon water change a few days ago and have seen no difference. The LPS in the tank seem to be completely fine.

I’ve been doing this for years, and this is one of the few moments where I’m truly stumped…

 

[vetteguy53081]

While they dont look terrivble, what lighting are you using and what PAR levels.
Numbers look satisfactory- what test kits are you using?
Medium light and water flow sufficient and what is your Phos level ?

 

[ss30]

Po4?

 

[gideon2086]

While they dont look terrivble, what lighting are you using and what PAR levels.
Numbers look satisfactory- what test kits are you using?
Medium light and water flow sufficient and what is your Phos level ?

Hard to tell in the pics, but they’re bad. The large colony is nearly completely dead. I use Neptune primarily, and Salifert + Hannah as backups. I have not tested po4 as it’s been stable for years and I can usually judge a rise by an increase in film algae. Will test it later to be sure, though.

 

[chipchipbro]

@Charlie’s Frags Maybe you can help here with your experience.

 

[Max93]

I would start with checking your PAR. Have you changed bulbs ?

 

[GarrettT]

Low Po4 generally results in STN, which causes paling starting at the base.

I would suspect possible led burn.

 

[gideon2086]

I would start with checking your PAR. Have you changed bulbs ?

Low Po4 generally results in STN, which causes paling starting at the base.

I would suspect possible led burn.

My lightning has not changed in two years. I doubt my po4 is low - if anything, high.

 

[Waters]

I think you might have answered your own question....if the only thing that changed was dosing the trace elements, I would look towards that. It appears you obvouisly know what you are doing so I would be suprised if nutrients or lighting all of a sudden caused all of your colonies to start dieing.

 

[chipchipbro]

tbh. I also had only issues when I dosed elements as suggested by ICP tests.
Not detectable by ICP does not mean they are not present.

 

[jmoneyyy703]

I would stop dosing trace elements. How much tm trace did you dos?

 

[gideon2086]

I would stop dosing trace elements. How much tm trace did you dos?

I only dosed trace for about two weeks and stopped a month ago. I did the large water changes after stopping. Still seeing a rapid decline.

 

[chipchipbro]

I only dosed trace for about two weeks and stopped a month ago. I did the large water changes after stopping. Still seeing a rapid decline.

And you didnt use a new batch of salt? I mean just to be sure...

 

[gideon2086]

And you didnt use a new batch of salt? I mean just to be sure...

It was a new batch. I do 5 gals a day so it goes pretty quick.

 

[chipchipbro]

It was a new batch. I do 5 gals a day so it goes pretty quick.

And what salt are you using?
Some had issues with bad batches...

 

[gideon2086]

And what salt are you using?
Some had issues with bad batches...

Tropic Marin Pro - mine is from germany, though.

 

[chipchipbro]

Tropic Marin Pro - mine is from germany, though.

Well, still I've read one user had a bad german batch.
I mean that could be a possibility though.

 

[gideon2086]

Well, still I've read one user had a bad german batch.
I mean that could be a possibility though.

Meh… I’m concerned about the thought of switching salt right now with everything already dying. May be worthwhile though… I’m awaiting results on another ICP

 

[dwest]

Sorry. This is a long shot, but in the second pic, it looks like there is possibly some brown stuff on the rocks. Is it possible dinos?

Also, I’m guessing you have done this already, but I would check all my pumps and heaters for possible exposed metal.

 

[ZombieEngineer]

I would check all of the following.

1. Test for stray voltage. This can give a possible indication of a heater or pump starting to fail and leaching small amounts of metal.

2. Test for copper

3. If you aren't running carbon, I would do so in case the problem is some sort of heavy metal or toxin like dinos.

4. Check your PO4 levels. If these are tanked near zero this can cause RTN.

5. Snap off a branch that has started to die and place into a white bucket. Use a coral dip of your choice and inspect the bucket for flatworms, redbugs, nudis, etc. Repeat in a dark bucket with another specimen to better see white pests.

6. Stop dosing anything you didn't do previously.