SPS problems

[salty01]

I have 100gallon reef tank that I have had up and running for over year. Having problems with SPS burning at the tops with no polyp extension and some have strings as if they're unhappy.
I have tried everything I possibly can and have read so many different opinions but I am at a loss.Im hoping That somebody can lend a hand.

I have put my latest parameters on the board and was taken yesterday

I am currently dosing Aquaforest system and using probiotics Salt

Lighting PAR is monitored by APEX system and during the brightest times of the day I'm getting 180 par from the bottom of the tank.
Thank you

 

[salty01]

Oh the temp is really 78

 

[chewie]

Low alkalinity is usually one of the culprits. What are your parameters?

 

[Tahoe61]

The temperature is actually 87 F?

 

[chewie]

Oops. I see your alk is 7.8. What kit are you using to measure?

 

[chewie]

Po4 seems a bit high also.

 

[twilliard]

Low alkalinity is usually one of the culprits. What are your parameters?

High alkalinity is usually the culprit with low nutrients :)

OP.. add some nutrients :)

 

[StikHedRon]

How old is the system? SPS have a hard time in a young system, just a thought. If temp is 87, thats pretty high. 77-79 is usually the norm. I don't think the po4 is the issue, I think there is something else going on.

 

[StikHedRon]

One other thing would be, Alk stability, whats been the high and low reading over say the last 2 weeks?

 

[salty01]

The temperature is not 87 it is 78 I have a complete automated dosing system which allows me to keep all parameters pretty consistent

 

[salty01]

I have a chiller as well so that keep temp in the 78 Area would it be a prop of it that fluctuates between 78.4 to 77.8 sometimes? With the apex system with my heater. I don't know quite how to get an exact temperature.

 

[FarmerTy]

To me, your only problem is you have too high phosphates and not enough nitrates. I aim for 0.03-0.05 ppm phosphates and 5 ppm nitrates.

This assumes you are getting the appropriate amount of light and flow.

 

[salty01]

Why don't I have nitrates? GFO?too much skimming? I don't have ver much bio filters

In the sump are 3 filter socks, large skimmer, GFO and carbon in reactors and UV sterilizer. That's it

 

[FarmerTy]

How deep is your sandbed?

Nevermind, doesn't look like you have one.

 

[salty01]

No sand

 

[chewie]

What test kits are you using for alk and po4?

 

[salty01]

What test kits are you using for alk and po4?

Hanna

 

[chewie]

Checkers?

Verify with salifert for alk, and use the low range colorimeter.

 

[bkelley02]

High alkalinity is usually the culprit with low nutrients :)

OP.. add some nutrients :)

Would 7.8 be considered High Alk? I'm fighting low nutrients myself and am struggling a bit to get it lower than 8.6. :(

 

[roosterchef]

What about the lighting? You said 180 at the bottom (how deep?) And the tops are burning. Couldn't that be too much light at the top burning the tips?