Sps tank crashing, bleaching, algae

[johnacharles93]

Hello everyone,

Over the past couple weeks I've been having a lot of trouble with my fish tank. A lot of algae started to grow on all the rocks, sand, and on the sides of the glass. I test for nitrate and phosphate but it shows up as 0. My alkalinity is on average 11dKH, and my calcium is around 425.

I have 3 SPS. One of my favorite pieces looks like its dying or bleaching. Can anyone confirm that it's dead or alive. Could it still be able to come back? Solutions?

I'll attach some pictures but I really need the help. I appreciate it thank you in advance.

 

[nazzman]

Those can still make a comeback if all parameters are good and steady and good lighting

 

[johnacharles93]

So is that piece dead? Iv had it on top of the highest point getting the most light and flow.

 

[Reefing Madness]

Whats Salinity? PH? What kind of lighting? Magnesium?
Its not dead yet. Its also got white tips, meaning it was growing.
Looks like you have Dinos there, not good, not good at all. Get your Mag up around 1600, that should take care if it for you.

 

[JMSKI333]

Your favorite SPS looks still alive. It can still come back under proper conditions.

1) Are you using R/0 water? If so, when is the last time you changes your filters?
2) Do a 15%-20% water change with 0 TDS water mixed to your ideal salinity, calc, mag, etc.
3) Borrow a friend's test kit or buy a new one just to get a second opinion on those water conditions. Algae wouldn't grow like that if it was 0 phosphates and 0 Nitrates.

 

[johnacharles93]

I never tested for magnesium or ph...

I have one AI Vega at 90%
Salinity Is 1.025

 

[johnacharles93]

I use RO/DI from the lfs. I just took out the filters last week I'm using 1 sponge no media.
Skimmer is full every week as well.

 

[Reefing Madness]

Did you acclimate those corals to that LED @ 90%? Thats pretty strong.
You need to get rid of those Dinos or your headache is going to get bigger.

 

[johnacharles93]

No I didn't acclimate any of the corals.I just plugged in and turned it on, they have been on for about 2 & a half weeks now. Switched from T5s.
What is Dino

 

[mike007]

Looks to me you have lots of excess nutrients in that tank causing these algae problems. You need to keep doing water changes, skimming,and slow way down on your feeding. Phosphates and nitrates can play havic on your tank. Maybe you can have your lfs test your water. Even ro water can have phosphates if the system has not been maintained.

 

[johnacharles93]

I'm going to do a 50 percent change on Wednesday.
How do I know if it's if it's dinoflagellts or dinotom? I don't want to treat for the wrong thing.

 

[tektite]

You might want to verify how clean the water from the lfs is, if their filters are in need of changing and its the water that's bringing in nutrients, a 50% waterchange will most definitely not help.

 

[johnacharles93]

I'll have them check. What do I ask them to look for, TDS? Nitrate or phosphate? If water changes don't work what's next?

 

[IBEW41]

what test kits are you using also when you say 11 dkh on average how far up and down from 11 dose it go.what kind of food are you feeding

 

[johnacharles93]

It's never higher then 11 never lower then 8. There's no brand on the box is purple and says alk

 

[tektite]

8-11 is a HUGE alk swing for SPS, how long does it take to go from one value to the other? Test kits can expire too, and if it doesn't even have a brand...go buy a good one like salifert. Steady alk is essential to SPS.

 

[johnacharles93]

It is salifert I miss understood the lable. How can I keep the levels constant dosing?

 

[Reefing Madness]

Dinos are a clean water algae

Problem Dinoflagellates and pH by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

 

[Diesel]

Lots of info you already got from some outstanding reefers and lots of trouble you're tank is in!
How long is this tank running and tell us the history of setting it up/cycling, what rock and sand.
How big of a sump, skimmer size GFO/Carbon.
All that sounds maybe Greek to you but we need to know in order to help you on the right track.
If all comes crashing down lesson learned but read and learn first here before you jump back in.
If you don't know TDS you don't know basics.
And as always "if you think you going slow................. go even slower!

 

[Alabamareef]

Looks to me you have lots of excess nutrients in that tank causing these algae problems. You need to keep doing water changes, skimming,and slow way down on your feeding. Phosphates and nitrates can play havic on your tank. Maybe you can have your lfs test your water. Even ro water can have phosphates if the system has not been maintained.

+1 and I'd like to add a few other things. First I think your LED are set high. It's much easier to kill a coral with to much light so I'd back off a bit. Next don't change a lot of things fast. From what I see looks like hair apace and looks like you like to feed. Excess nutrients and a strong light will make your algae growth go crazy. Also enough algae in the tank will give you FALSE readings on your Nitrates and Phaophates. I think I'd turn my light back to around 50% and even 50% is strong with some LED's. Do some water changes and suck out as much algae as possible. This will take some time but be aggressive and weekly 10% water change/getting algae out along with a change in feeding would be a good start. A more close up photo of the algae will help better ID it. Remember a lot of people give up because of things like this but if you stay the course it can be beaten, I speak from experience and understand the frustration. Hope this helps.