SPS Help

[zemuss]

Happy Holidays everyone.

I am seeking some help with the SPS corals I have in my tank. Here is a list:
1. Red Planet (2 Frags)
2. Purple Acro
3. 2 X Green Acro
4. Orange Acro

I am not into designer names and only know one of the names of the corals I bought.

Here is the issue:
All SPS corals except for the Green Acro's are turning brown.

Dosing: Alkalinity because it was 7 and Natrureef Kalk dripped in with ATO water.

Parameters:
Calc = 450 (Steady)
ALK = 7 (Last time I checked) Slowly raising the level and my goal is to get this to about 9 to 10.
Mag = 1360 ppm
Phos = 0
Nitrate = 0
Ammo = 0
Nitrite = 0
Ph = Steady at 8.2

Equipment: 30 g Solana (Modified, took out false wall), 10 G Sump, Sunpod 250 MH with Phoenix 14k bulb, TUnze 9002 skimmer, MP 10ES (I used different modes TSM, NTM and Reef Crest), Eheim 1260 return pump, BRS ATO for Top off

What could be causing the SPS losing its color? I have LPS coral and all of the frags are full of color. I don't think it is a water chemistry issue because i believe I have enough light.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[zemuss]

Bump..

 

[tapout]

What type of test kits do you use? Browning is usually not enough light or too much nutrients. I see you believe you have enough light, how old are the bulbs? Also are the frags new? sometimes shipping stress causes loss of color then after adjustment to your tank they will color up again.

 

[zemuss]

Bulb is only 2 months old.

I posted on another site and from what everyone is saying its a nutrients issue. I will be performing water changes to eliminate the food source for the GHA problem. This could be the issue.

 

[tapout]

What test kit are you using for phosphates? I would recommend a hanna checker. Are you using ro/di water?

 

[zemuss]

I use RO/DI water and currently have the API test kits.

I also use Ocean water for water changes.

 

[tapout]

Try a hanna checker or borrow one from a friend you probably will get a different reading then 0. I was in the same boat as you a couple months back and this really changed things for me. /https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/general-sps-discussion/41018-microbacter7-vodka-dosing-guide.html

This also has some good info as well
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/reef-chemistry-forum/36899-low-nutrient-systems.html
http://https://www.reef2reef.com/fo...on/41018-microbacter7-vodka-dosing-guide.html

 

[Troylee]

i would say po4 personally... do you have any algae growth in your tank?????

 

[zemuss]

Yes i have a bunch of GHA that a Salfin Blenny was bought to control.

I have a Salfin that is attempting to keep the GHA in check. However, I will be manually pulling it tonight / tomorrow. Anyone have one of these fish and if so what is your experience with them and SPS coral? Do they nip as mentioned on Live Aquaria?

 

[schminksbro]

Bingo! API alk kits are about as effective as sticking your finger in the water, tasting it, and declaring the alk to be at 7. I have seen 5 of these kits test the same water side by side and come up with wildly different results. (5-6dkh) High or unstable alk can cause browning as well as nutrients. I would try a Lamotte kit to get a handle on where you are actually at. If you are dosing alk and nothing is consuming it then it is likely to rise with every dose. If you are dripping kalk with very little consumption the kalk is likely providing all the carbonate needed to keep your alk stable.

I use RO/DI water and currently have the API test kits.

I also use Ocean water for water changes.

 

[Troylee]

Yes i have a bunch of GHA that a Salfin Blenny was bought to control.

I have a Salfin that is attempting to keep the GHA in check. However, I will be manually pulling it tonight / tomorrow. Anyone have one of these fish and if so what is your experience with them and SPS coral? Do they nip as mentioned on Live Aquaria?

no matter what test kit you use your gonna get 0 or close to reading with ha. being present.."false readings"
if you have algae present you have po4 present... are you running any gfo??

 

[zemuss]

I am not running any GFO currently. I do have a reactor but normally run straight Carbon. I will pick up some GFO tonight on the way home. I need this taking care of.

 

[schminksbro]

Go slow with the GFO. Pulling P04 too quickly can be harmful to your corals. I would recommend using small quantities and changing every couple of days until you get the phosphate down. Then increase the quantity and change less frequently.

I am not running any GFO currently. I do have a reactor but normally run straight Carbon. I will pick up some GFO tonight on the way home. I need this taking care of.

 

[zemuss]

I also have been reading up on the Bio Pellets to remove the PO4 issue. What does everyone think about them? What reactor are you using?

ViaAqua Poly-Reactor (Multi-Media Reactor) Reviews

Would this reactor work for Bio Pellets?

 

[wdt]

How about GAC, are you running carbon? I would try GAC first before GFO which can lead to strange algae problems of its on if you have nitrates. Then add GFO after the GAC has been running for a bit. I would also take if very slow with no drastic changes with the GFO or GAC.

 

[zemuss]

I started the Poly-Reactor up again with Carbon and a small amount of ROWA.

I will see how this goes for about a week.

 

[zemuss]

Still have an Algae problem. Started another thread on what type of algae it is which i believe its GHA.

This is driving me mad!
"Z"

 

[red02]

what size skimmer do you have