The SPS Q&A Thread.

[kevinpratt823]

Well, CA and ALK would be the two most important elements to replace, followed by MG, Strontium, and the other major elements. Even with a low nutrient system I still conduct water changes once a month with Reef Crystals to replace any minor elements/vitamins that may be lacking. I used to go months without water changes but since I have started conducting monthly changes of 20% I have noticed increased coral health and vibrancy. You could always look into a supplement to replace the elements in your system that have been used up but this may cause more problems than it may be worth. A 20% monthly water change may be your best bet.

Thanks, I have a large diy cal reactor, and dose Mag, it's the others I'm wondering about. I've been adding a few products containing the other trace elments and vitamins also and so far so good, but I'm sure they would be more balanced if I did it with water changes, but 130g water changes is a bit much for me. I do change 50g about once a month.

 

[mbattles22]

It is very hard to diagnose the problem when all of the parameters are in line. Here are some things off of the top of my head that could be causing issues:

-Stray voltage in the tank
-Aerosols such as air fresheners
-A cracked MH bulb leaking out UV
-Temperature swings

Thanks for the continued help...support. All of our SPS are gone and our LPS are looking pretty bad. I don't know what category "plate" coral are in but we have three and they look bad as well. Its gotten to the point that even some of our zoas aren't opening! We bought a volt meter to check the tank, but aren't sure how to do it....so we haven't yet. No aerosols have been sprayed around the tank for at least two weeks. Temp is stable btw. 77-78. I'm not sure about the crack in the MH...if there is one, it isn't obvious. We have a brain coral that had grown completely off of its frag and now its regressing! Its gotten to the point where I don't even want to look at the tank! We are so desperate I asked the owner of the local LFS to come out, instead of one of his employees, and take a look. Unfortunately, the soonest he can come out is next Wednesday. Strangely enough, our bubble coral seems fine, or fox coral looks good, our cynaria still looks good and we have two chalices that are still eating. No rhyme or reason to anything it seems. Its strange to see our tank almost empty now.

 

[mbattles22]

Had a thought ... using Rubbermaid 32 gal garbage cans for water changes (one for old water, and one for mixing new salt water). Just looked at the cans and they are LDPE plastic. Should I be using HDPE plastic??? Could this be our problem with our SPS (and now other softies)? Is it possible for chemical leaching from LDPE plastic over a 8 month period that could be causing all our problems? Thoughts anyone?

 

[bamachamp92]

Thanks for the continued help...support. All of our SPS are gone and our LPS are looking pretty bad. I don't know what category "plate" coral are in but we have three and they look bad as well. Its gotten to the point that even some of our zoas aren't opening! We bought a volt meter to check the tank, but aren't sure how to do it....so we haven't yet. No aerosols have been sprayed around the tank for at least two weeks. Temp is stable btw. 77-78. I'm not sure about the crack in the MH...if there is one, it isn't obvious. We have a brain coral that had grown completely off of its frag and now its regressing! Its gotten to the point where I don't even want to look at the tank! We are so desperate I asked the owner of the local LFS to come out, instead of one of his employees, and take a look. Unfortunately, the soonest he can come out is next Wednesday. Strangely enough, our bubble coral seems fine, or fox coral looks good, our cynaria still looks good and we have two chalices that are still eating. No rhyme or reason to anything it seems. Its strange to see our tank almost empty now.

It doesnt have to be aerosols. If you use certain things to clean where you tank is you could be introducing toxins through your skimmer's air intake. Anytime I clean in my fish room at all I turn my skimmer off for hours. Mr. clean or bleach have a very strong odor and may be able to be introduced through your skimmer. The garbage can could be something but I would only think if you are leaving water in it for long periods of time. Also do you work with copper or bronze any at all? I have a friend that works at the machine shop where I work, we make bronze bushings. Then he would go home and put his hands in his tank to feed his fish or work in his tank, he was losing corals so I told him to check his copper and the levels were through the roof and could only have been from transfer from his hands. Sorry I couldnt be more help. I know its hard watching your tank in that condition.

 

[110reef]

The best thing to do when you can't find a cause is do water changes, IME. Water changes are a "reset" button. I would do 20% water changes every other day for a few weeks. Then you will know the water quality is where it is supposed to be, and all your creatures should respond positively.

 

[mbattles22]

It doesnt have to be aerosols. If you use certain things to clean where you tank is you could be introducing toxins through your skimmer's air intake. Anytime I clean in my fish room at all I turn my skimmer off for hours. Mr. clean or bleach have a very strong odor and may be able to be introduced through your skimmer. The garbage can could be something but I would only think if you are leaving water in it for long periods of time. Also do you work with copper or bronze any at all? I have a friend that works at the machine shop where I work, we make bronze bushings. Then he would go home and put his hands in his tank to feed his fish or work in his tank, he was losing corals so I told him to check his copper and the levels were through the roof and could only have been from transfer from his hands. Sorry I couldnt be more help. I know its hard watching your tank in that condition.

Thank you! All thoughts and suggestions are always helpful and appreciated! Brainstorming is really all we have left at this point. Neither my husband or I work with heavy metals. We did place a copper absorbing pad in the sump just to see if "somehow" copper had gotten into the tank....nothing. The only chemical around the tank is when we clean the glass with glass cleaner. We have been doing water changes weekly since we started the tank in Nov., we are thinking of trying to do them twice a week but it is hard with our work sched. With the water changed regularly and the parameters clear with thought things would be turning around. Unfortunately they keep getting worse. I think the not knowing why this is happening is almost as bad as watching everything die in front of my eyes and not being able to stop it. Anyway....keep the ideas coming, we will keep doing the water changes and see if anything is left at the end of the day.

 

[solitude127]

The only chemical around the tank is when we clean the glass with glass cleaner.

I think you may have found your problem. Glass cleaners have ammonia in them. Usually when I clean my glass I just take a damp cloth and the wipe it with a dry one. I would definitely stop the glass cleaner around the tank.

 

[mbattles22]

I think you may have found your problem. Glass cleaners have ammonia in them. Usually when I clean my glass I just take a damp cloth and the wipe it with a dry one. I would definitely stop the glass cleaner around the tank.

Will stop ASAP! Thanks!!!:bigsmile:

 

[solitude127]

Will stop ASAP! Thanks!!!:bigsmile:

I would try to do a large water change as well. Good luck and hopefully that was the cause.

 

[ryanjiang]

Also, have you tried a different brand of salt? Maybe it is just a bad bag of salt.

 

[solitude127]

Will stop ASAP! Thanks!!!:bigsmile:

How's the tank mbattles22?

 

[KingRicky]

OK, I have a few questions. I have just upgraded from a 55 to a 75. The 55 was predominately softy/LPS and I am wanting to add more SPS. I have a few frags already and have decent growth. My parameters are.
Salinity= 1.025
PH=7.8
NO3=10
PO4=1
Calc=500
ALK=9
MAG=? I don't have a test kit and the LFS doesn't either.

I am currently using 4X54 T-5 with 2X10,000 and 2X Actinic. I have just purchased a 2X350 MH with Radiums. Just waiting for it to come in. I am running an ETSS Reef Devil Deluxe skimmer in a DIY sump.
My PH seems low? The Calcium seems high for the ALk. I plan on dosing DIY 2 part. Any and all help that I can get will be greatly appreciated.

 

[KingRicky]

I meant to include a couple of pictures.

Also, I am running 2 Korila 4's and a Mag 5 return.

Thanks again

 

[Troylee]

that ph isnt to bad if it stays stable and dont drop.... po4 @1 is bad real bad for sps you need to get it down to 0 to .04 at the most from my exp.....
cal and alk is fine no sweat there..... i would work on the no3 and po4 get those to 0 and you will be sitting pretty....;)

 

[TopNotchCorals]

P04 plays a very important part in keeping sps and if your p04 is at 1.00 then you might want to run some GFO,as far as no3 I know a lot of people (not me) that like to run their nitrates up a little but 10 is off the chain dangerous.I think your in need of a water change.Also get yourself a mag test kit too,your params are very important in avoiding a tank crash.

 

[TopNotchCorals]

Also I really dont think 4xT5's is gonna be enough light on a 75g IMO.

 

[KingRicky]

Thanks for the replies,

P04 plays a very important part in keeping sps and if your p04 is at 1.00 then you might want to run some GFO,as far as no3 I know a lot of people (not me) that like to run their nitrates up a little but 10 is off the chain dangerous.I think your in need of a water change.Also get yourself a mag test kit too,your params are very important in avoiding a tank crash.

I am going to get a Mag test kit, went to get one today and LFS said that he was out and should have some next week.

Also I really dont think 4xT5's is gonna be enough light on a 75g IMO.

The 4 T-5's is from my 55 and is just until the MH come in on Monday or Tuesday.

 

[TopNotchCorals]

Thanks for the replies,



I am going to get a Mag test kit, went to get one today and LFS said that he was out and should have some next week.




The 4 T-5's is from my 55 and is just until the MH come in on Monday or Tuesday.

Oh missed the 2x250w,that will be perfect for that tank.;)

 

[drainbamage]

sort of as an aside, 4xt5s are currently running a 100 gal reef in my place. it's a suntek fixture, 48", and SPS's are looking nice. Just for what it's worth dropping in.

 

[SunnyX]

So, any new questions? Its that time of year and I am back, hitting the forums hard! Summertime fun is over, time to get down to business. :D Hit me with your best shot!