SPS losing tissue from the base up. Why?

[X-37B]

Hey my friend...
1.024 is the result of a skimmer issue.
I'll be re-adjusting that back up to 1.026 today.

As far as p04, I have no real idea. I use API which frankly SUCKS for p04!
I've figured that if I can get any reading at all from ambient API p04 test then my p04 is probably too high.
My test reads pretty much zero. Just a slight hair above zero which should put me in a pretty good range.
I also know I'm not at zero because I have bubble algae (different fight, different thread).

Overall, the reef is doing great!
If I can get my alk stable with the kalk reactor, I should be back on track!

Sounds good. I would recommend a Hanna ulr po4 unit. Same for nitrate.
I use my upper po4 target level as a way to keep it between .1-.2. When it hits .2 I adjust with gfo down to .1.
I ran po4<.1 & no3<5 for years.
Now po4 sits between .1 & .2.
No3 just hit 25. I used to run a sulfer reactor to keep it <5.
No difference seen running the higher levels. Just started vodka dosing to bring it to 10 and plan to keep it close to that number.
This way both are always in range.
I do the same for SG. In my 150 I run 2 skimmers and have to add 2 tbs salt weekly to the overflow to keep it between 1.026-1.027.

I also run kalk on a Kamoer at 4mlm 24/7 along with my carx.
Just some food for thought.
My 2 skimmer sump.

 

[Hedgedrew66]

You dose traces or check for pests too ? id like you to be stable at 8dkh and not shoot from 7s to 9 what are your phosphates nitrates

 

[Dj City]

You dose traces or check for pests too ? id like you to be stable at 8dkh and not shoot from 7s to 9 what are your phosphates nitrates

I dose trace elements.
I like my alk to sit at about 9 but I'm good 8.5 to 9

P04 and n03 look good (enough).
P04 just above zero
N03 around 10ppm

I don't see any pests but that doesn't mean too much.
I have a good sized melanurus wrasse that should take out any unwanted bugs.

 

[Catawba_Valley_Reef]

In my experience burned tips and or an overnight RTN event can be caused by an alk swing. When I’ve had them STN from the base up it’s generally a bottoming out of po4/no3.

Of course there are a million other reasons why this could be happening (pests, parameter swings, pollutants, etc).

If it’s only those two corals I would just try to keep things stable. If it’s all the SPS, then it’s time to start figuring out why.

 

[Dj City]

As I'm looking more closely, it doesn't appear to be tissue loss.
It looks more like color loss.

I still don't understand why though.

I'm monitoring my alk and as soon as I hit 8.7, I'll be starting the kalk reactor.
Alk is at 9 right now.

 

[Dj City]

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

That's tissue loss. Notice the algae beginning to form on the skeleton.

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

I keep saying stop the kalk reactor and simplify for awhile. I see a Jebao dosing pump that would work perfectly for that in your cabinet.

 

[NeutronMan]

The skin looks really thin. I think this might be a low nutrient issue. I’d get the Hanna ULR and make sure phosphate is present.

I too had these same issues and couldn’t keep any acros alive. Once I started assuring that phosphate and nitrate were always present, my problems went away.

After that, plenty of PAR AND coverage along with pH consistently above 8.1 (had to use a scrubber) and my sps started taking off.

 

[Dj City]

I keep saying stop the kalk reactor and simplify for awhile. I see a Jebao dosing pump that would work perfectly for that in your cabinet.

I haven't started the kalk reactor yet.
The dosing pump is hooked up to the kalk reactor waiting for me to put it online but I needed to test before starting.

My testing is complete as far as alk consumption and I burn through approximately 1dkh a day.

I've had alk swings while testing. Letting alk drop to see how much it drops per day.
Conclusion...
About 1dkh a day.

I wanted to start the kalk reactor to stabilize my alk and cal but...
I ran into the problem of gravity vs angle of outlet hose.
I have fixed that and made sure the calibration is correct so...

My plan is to let alk drop back into the 8's and start kalk dosing from there to keep alk stable.

 

[Dj City]

The skin looks really thin. I think this might be a low nutrient issue. I’d get the Hanna ULR and make sure phosphate is present.

I too had these same issues and couldn’t keep any acros alive. Once I started assuring that phosphate and nitrate were always present, my problems went away.

After that, plenty of PAR AND coverage along with pH consistently above 8.1 (had to use a scrubber) and my sps started taking off.

I only have API tests besides my Hanna dkh and Hydros probes.
I've been trying to wait for the maven to drop. So far, it's been a long wait!

I know i have p04 because I have bubble algae.

 

[Biff0rz]

So, alk swings, low SG, and undetectable p04. Def not the ideal situation for sps.

How can you stop stn? Sometimes you can't. Why is it happening? See above.

In one post you said your dkh was at 7.6 and you adjusted it to 9 -- that can cause stn. I never, ever, adjust my dkh more than 0.5dkh in a day/short period of time. I do auto-dose, with a kalk reactor like you, and I let it run day and night.

My advice -- get a test that test po4. Verify your sg and SLOWLY adjust it to 1.026. Get the kalk reactor online and dose with a continuous doser, not periodic. I prefer the versa.

 

[Tikki]

As I'm looking more closely, it doesn't appear to be tissue loss.
It looks more like color loss.

I still don't understand why though.

I'm monitoring my alk and as soon as I hit 8.7, I'll be starting the kalk reactor.
Alk is at 9 right now.

Need to invest in a phosphate checker

 

[Dj City]

So, alk swings, low SG, and undetectable p04. Def not the ideal situation for sps.

How can you stop stn? Sometimes you can't. Why is it happening? See above.

In one post you said your dkh was at 7.6 and you adjusted it to 9 -- that can cause stn. I never, ever, adjust my dkh more than 0.5dkh in a day/short period of time. I do auto-dose, with a kalk reactor like you, and I let it run day and night.

My advice -- get a test that test po4. Verify your sg and SLOWLY adjust it to 1.026. Get the kalk reactor online and dose with a continuous doser, not periodic. I prefer the versa.

My reef had a rough week.
New skimmer breaking in, old skimmer overflowing causing ato to add more freshwater that normal. That's how I got low salinity (fixing that since yesterday)

Is love a continuous doser.
I'll see what the future holds and what my bank account has to say about it.

 

[Dj City]

Need to invest in a phosphate checker

I agree.
Wich one?

I see
Phosphate Ultra Low Range PPM Colorimeter HI774 Hanna Checker - Marine Water

Phosphorus Ultra Low Range Colorimeter HI736 Hanna Checker - Marine Water

 

[Tikki]

Need to invest in a phosphate checker

I agree.
Wich one?

I see
Phosphate Ultra Low Range PPM Colorimeter HI774 Hanna Checker - Marine Water

Phosphorus Ultra Low Range Colorimeter HI736 Hanna Checker - Marine Water

H1774 is what I use

 

[Tikki]

Need to invest in a phosphate checker

I agree.
Wich one?

I see
Phosphate Ultra Low Range PPM Colorimeter HI774 Hanna Checker - Marine Water

Phosphorus Ultra Low Range Colorimeter HI736 Hanna Checker - Marine Water

H1774 is what I use

I believe brs has a bundle with ULR phosphate, HR Nitrate checkers and couple boxes of the reagents

 

[Dj City]

Alk is now at 8.7

Kalk reactor is now online.
I'm dosing just under 75ml every hour for 23 hours a day.
I'll monitor 2x a day to see where this puts me.

 

[Dj City]

Alk was at 8.7 yesterday evening when I started the kalk reactor.
This morning at 6:30am, Alk was at 8.6.

I'll check it again this evening to see if I need to adjust the dose.

I'm looking for stability.

 

[Catawba_Valley_Reef]

Alk was at 8.7 yesterday evening when I started the kalk reactor.
This morning at 6:30am, Alk was at 8.6.

I'll check it again this evening to see if I need to adjust the dose.

I'm looking for stability.

I think you have a low po4 problem and you won’t know for sure until you have a reliable tester (hanna). You have po4 because you have bubble algae, but maybe the algae is consuming it faster than the corals can.

Kalk can precipitate po4…so that may contribute to your low/lower po4…if it is indeed low.

I also use a kalk reactor, but I honestly don’t think it helps with stability. Every time I add in more kalk it raises my alkalinity and I have to cut back on the doser supplying water or I get a spike.

The most stable for me is 2-part dosing which I am also doing.