Sps STN from base questions

kazikage42 · Jan 8, 2017

Hi, few of my sps started STN from the base after a good solid month of encrusting and growth on all my sps. Had a few burnt tips bc I keep my alk pretty solid around 8.5 - 9 and I guess my refugium was working overtime and made my nitrates to zero, usually around 2-5. I can understand that issue. The only thing that changed was adding a flame angel that every now and then picks at a few corals. Can fish nipping cause STN? Can they regrow over the STN parts?

Parameters now:
Temp 78
Alk 8
Cal 460
Mag 1300
Ph 8-8.25
Nitrates back to around 5 now
Phosphates .06, need to get it down just a bit

Reefnewb · Jan 8, 2017

The STN could be from the elevated nutrients (phosphates) did they bleach or turn brown at all?

kazikage42 · Jan 8, 2017

Reefnewb said:
The STN could be from the elevated nutrients (phosphates) did they bleach or turn brown at all?

No bleaching, just STN. One did turn brown a bit. Never really tested for phosphates till after this issue.

Reefnewb · Jan 8, 2017

kazikage42 said:
No bleaching, just STN. One did turn brown a bit. Never really tested for phosphates till after this issue.

how did you check phosphates??

kazikage42 · Jan 8, 2017

Reefnewb said:
how did you check phosphates??

I use the regular hanna checker, tested only a few times when I bought and was always zero so I didn't bother to test much afterwards. Don't have algae issues either so I figured I was good on phosphates. I want to blame the flame angel or nutrients got too low??