Tank a little unhappy....not sure why.

[Addicted2Acro]

My tank has been look ok but not great for the past couple weeks. Nothing is super unhappy. But acros polyp extension is not like it has been and things just seem a bit off. A couple acros bleached which is not common. Wondering if there is some kind of pest or something bothering them. Have about 8 torches in the tank and they all seem to look fine although a little pale. Not quite as vibrant as I would be used to. Tank stats are below and also a pic of one of the acro colonies. There is a little string with a little bubble hanging onto it. The pic sucks, but that is what it is. Are there any acro pests that create little bubbles on strings?

Oh also....I have noticed Mycetophyllia filaments out a few times on some acros which would indicate a stressor.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Do you do water changes? I find everything looks lively after a water change.

 

[bubbgee]

I'd do a manual test of ALK and PO4 via hanna or salifert to see what is up. From my experience when my SPS is acting up even if Trident says it's in range, it's either of these two.

 

[ZC aquatics]

Hey bubbgee I haven’t seen you for some giveaways lol

 

[Rixar]

Don't you think the ratio between No3 and Po4 is a bit unbalanced?

 

[mook1178]

Calcium looks to be a bit on the low side and temp a bit on the high for me.

 

[Addicted2Acro]

Good points. I manually tested all elements this morning and they were fine. Yes No3 is not aligned with Po4 but I am skeptical that would cause acro unhappiness. More likely that will cause algae in the future. I did adjust to raise both Alk and Ca this morning. Will be doing a water change later today actually.

 

[bubbgee]

Good points. I manually tested all elements this morning and they were fine. Yes No3 is not aligned with Po4 but I am skeptical that would cause acro unhappiness. More likely that will cause algae in the future. I did adjust to raise both Alk and Ca this morning. Will be doing a water change later today actually.

Check for bugs at night then. That's the last check if all numbers line up.

 

[bubbgee]

Hey bubbgee I haven’t seen you for some giveaways lol

Should I do giveaways? lol

 

[Rixar]

My goniopores don't like the imbalance between NO3 and PO4, I try to keep these two aligned 100:1, even though I think the imbalance is too large at 450:1. According to theoretical science, zooxanthellae become inefficient.

However, if you always have the values like this and everything is happy, maybe it's time to do water changes or an ICP.

 

[CHSUB]

The new tread is high no3, which you have…however, “nitrogen enriched water has a immediate effect of stimulating a larger zooxanthellae population which, in turn, creates a higher demand for carbon dioxide that may not be met” Borneman. Try lowering your no3 to 5ppm or lower with WC…

 

[Addicted2Acro]

Check for bugs at night then. That's the last check if all numbers line up.

This tank is at my office so I am never here at night. Super annoying.

 

[bubbgee]

This tank is at my office so I am never here at night. Super annoying.

Try blackout? Cover in black plastic (garbage bags maybe?) and see what comes out?

 

[Addicted2Acro]

Try blackout? Cover in black plastic (garbage bags maybe?) and see what comes out?

Interesting. Never thought of that. How long doyou think it would have to be dark? And what may pop out? Like what would I be looking for?

 

[ZC aquatics]

Hey bubbgee I haven’t seen you for some giveaways lol

Should I do giveaways? lol

Yes lol

 

[ZC aquatics]

I just won $300 gift card

 

[vetteguy53081]

Dont depend on trident for accuracy, and occasionally do manual tests to confirm those numbers which I find at times off

 

[gbroadbridge]

My tank has been look ok but not great for the past couple weeks. Nothing is super unhappy. But acros polyp extension is not like it has been and things just seem a bit off. A couple acros bleached which is not common. Wondering if there is some kind of pest or something bothering them. Have about 8 torches in the tank and they all seem to look fine although a little pale. Not quite as vibrant as I would be used to. Tank stats are below and also a pic of one of the acro colonies. There is a little string with a little bubble hanging onto it. The pic sucks, but that is what it is. Are there any acro pests that create little bubbles on strings?

Oh also....I have noticed Mycetophyllia filaments out a few times on some acros which would indicate a stressor.

The numbers are all fine.

If you haven't recently changed flow or lighting, I'd just keep an eye out to see if anything shows obvious signs of distress.

In the mean while, a water change or two has never caused any harm but may help perk up the coral.

 

[bubbgee]

Interesting. Never thought of that. How long doyou think it would have to be dark? And what may pop out? Like what would I be looking for?

Here you go. Normally they are more visible at night using a flashlight.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/acropora-bugs.890404/https://tidalgardens.com/articles/coral-care-articles/pests.html