SPS Help

[wranodj]

Unable to keep SPS. Zoas good, BTA good.

pH = 8.3
NO3 = 2.5
Phos = 0
Ca = 450
Alk = 7.2

Tank 1 year old. SB Reef lights, 70% blue for 10 hours, 50% white for 8 hours. Feeding Reef Chili. Sump with Chaeto & light for 8 hours from midnight. 2 gyres for flow XF250 and XF130 on opposite ends of a 6 foot 135 with a 40g sump.

Any advice greatly appreciated. Pictures attached.

 

[bif24701]

What happens exactly to them when you add the corals?

 

[wranodj]

They brown and eventually die.

 

[Ricktang]

Are u using an accurate test kits, like a name brand?

 

[mcarroll]

My guess:

PO4 of zero + BTA = starving corals

Browning is an attempt at nutrient gathering, but anemones are much larger and quite voracious.

Feed more, use less (or no) GFO, stop carbon dosing, etc. And if you have fish, feed them more and hold or cut back on the reef chili. (Unless you're feeding it to the fish.)

Is the tank brand new?

Also, how are you testing and controlling alkalinity?