Tell me whats wrong.

[Surf&turf]

So the GFO reactor is off line, I'll keep everyone posted.

 

[Surf&turf]

Day 2 of the reactor being off line and the SPS are starting to show signs of improvement. Polyps are out feeding, and I haven't seen any increase in burn't tips.

 

[Der ABT]

Sorry to hear it man, i would not think the GFO would really make a huge difference unless you were just running a ton of it.
are you running carbon/have switched carbon lately....if you dont rinse it enough the dust can really bother sps.

hopefully just stopping the gfo and continuing a nice stable tank will have things recovering, sounds like you already do for that matter. I know ive had a few corals take a while to get over an issue before.

 

[Surf&turf]

As I think back, I really started seeing this when I switched to a different GFO. Their dosage calls for one tablespoon per 4 gallons. I was using another kind that called for one tablespoon per 10 gallons.

Its not like I just started using GFO.

I have been doing alot of research and it seems this condition can also be caused by high P04 numbers, although my P04 test 0 with a salifret test kit.
Nitrate also tests 0 with API.

 

[Surf&turf]

So I came home today and tank looked like crap.
Cyano in the sand. SPS with brown tips. So my gut feeling was right, my P04 in high even though I'm getting a zero reading.

My CUC must be keeping the nuisance algae at bay.

The GFO reactor is back on line, using less this time, and I'll be doing 5 gallon WC every other day. Wish me luck.

 

[Surf&turf]

So does anyone think changing 5 gallons a day would hurt anything?

 

[Der ABT]

you would do better with a larger initial water change...this way you get more of the junk out rather than the water you just put in the day before....least that my 2 cents....id test the water your putting in and make sure its clean etc (P04, alk, ca, might as well double check the salinity...)

what salt are you using...
Double check any MH bulbs when they are off and make sure the glass isnt craked letting UV out.

 

[Surf&turf]

So would 25% be to much?

I use oceanic salt.

Glass is good under the MH, hard to figure this one out.

 

[Surf&turf]

So far I've changed 30 gallons of water. Changed the GFO out after a week and added a purigen pillow that is suppose to filter out DO.

LPS are looking great, SPS ok, most are still brown, but have quit receding.

Should I continue with the water changes or slow down a little.

I was thinking of changing another 20 gallons this weekend. Which would be little over half the system volume in a week.

 

[ritter6788]

I would think high phosphates would cause the whole coral to brown, not just the tips. Are you skimming? I'm also not familiar with the salifert phosphate test, how low does it read?

Any chance you could have someone else local or a LFS to do a full range if tests to verify your numbers?

 

[Big E]

You had an alk swing, that's all.................I'd quit changing things. Run the tank the same you have always ran it when the corals looked fine before the swing. You are making too many changes right now & stressing things out.

Everytime you do something new or different the corals have to adjust. Think in terms of months when you make a change.

If things are stable it will take the acros 6-8 weeks to color up again & look good.

 

[Surf&turf]

I would think high phosphates would cause the whole coral to brown, not just the tips. Are you skimming? I'm also not familiar with the salifert phosphate test, how low does it read?

Any chance you could have someone else local or a LFS to do a full range if tests to verify your numbers?

The whole coral is brown as well for the most part, just the tips burn and then a light brown algae grows over them.

I run the large marineland skimmer rated for 300 gallons with a needle wheel impeller.

The salifert test will read down to .001 if you double the reagents. My phosphates always show 0 though I was getting some nuisance algae growing, also my mangroves had started growing again so I know their was some excess nutrients.

Our LFS store isn't the best so not really. I need to invest in a Hanna checker.

 

[Surf&turf]

You had an alk swing, that's all.................I'd quit changing things. Run the tank the same you have always ran it when the corals looked fine before the swing. You are making too many changes right now & stressing things out.

Everytime you do something new or different the corals have to adjust. Think in terms of months when you make a change.

If things are stable it will take the acros 6-8 weeks to color up again & look good.

I think the Alk swing got the ball rolling down hill, even new corals are browning out so I know something is amiss.

Today all my LPS look great, haven't looked this good in awhile, so hopefully the SPS will follow suite.

 

[Big E]

I think the Alk swing got the ball rolling down hill, even new corals are browning out so I know something is amiss.

Today all my LPS look great, haven't looked this good in awhile, so hopefully the SPS will follow suite.

Why put more corals in a tank that if it's not at it's best? New acros are browning out because things that aren't measureable are off, but not enough to kill anything...........That's why the LPS look good.

Let me try to explain again what I mean. You're making a lot of changes in a short period of time. It's not going to do your acros any good short term. If your numbers read out okay & are stable just do what was working before the mishap. The tank will stabilize..............it will take a few months. You have to be patient.

 

[Surf&turf]

I haven't really changed what is was doing. I have always ran GFO.

Have always done water changes, 5 gallons biweekely. The only thing new I have added is the purigen filter bag. I spaced the water changes out over
a week time frame.

I had to do something or everything was going to recede and die

 

[Surf&turf]

So the tank really is responding, evidently 10% weekly water changes isn't enough.

Everything is looking good again, SPS are showing better PE everyday. Now just need to wait for them to color back up.

 

[Der ABT]

Glad to hear things are doing better for you now....hopefully the trend continues. is it a new batch of salt? maybe you got a bad batch...who knows just as long as things are looking better.....also could have been some of the LPS going to war.

 

[Surf&turf]

Glad to hear things are doing better for you now....hopefully the trend continues. is it a new batch of salt? maybe you got a bad batch...who knows just as long as things are looking better.....also could have been some of the LPS going to war.

Thanks Evan, I'm glad to, it was driving nuts!!

 

[Surf&turf]

Tank is still improving everyday, colors are starting to come back in the SPS.

:clap2:

 

[ritter6788]

Sounds like you figured it out. Good Luck!

:bigsmile: