I have a 25 lagoon (approx. 21 gal. actual water vol.) that is packed with SPS, 28 to be exact. They all started out as 1/2 to 3/4 inch frags which contributed to my shortsightedness, but I was bit by the bug. As the corals have continued to grow over the past 7 months the colors have looked spectacular. Recently I have begun to lose colors on virtually every coral, good news is there is no tissue damage on any of the corals, polyp extension is great, growth is still steady.
My parameter have been stable for the entire time:
Ca = 400-440 Hanna
Alk = 8.4-8.7 Hanna
Salinity = 1.025-1.026
Temp = 78.5-79.0 Apex controlled
pH = 8.0-8.3 Apex probe
Mg = 1340-1380 Salifert
NH3, NO3, NO2, PO4 = 0 Salifert
My lighting schedule has not changed and I change 1 t5 bulb every 2-3 months so i don't have any significant light diminishment over time. My flow has not changed at all and the MP10 is working as it should. I perform weekly water changes with Kent salt mix. I am currently dosing 18 ml a day to maintain ALK and Ca using 2 part using Bightwells, I also dose Mg.
Sorry for the long intro but I figured that at some point in the discussion I would be asked all these questions. I am trying to figure out why everything is beginning to brown out.
Is it possible that the corals are consuming all the other elements in the water to the point that weekly water changes are no longer sufficient in replacing them?
If yes, what should I start dosing to bring the colors back?
I have a Kamoer 3 channel doser along with the 4 channel doser which is a total of 7 pumps so adding things to the dosing regiment is not an issue. I just don't know if its necessary and if so what?
There is also the possibility I am completely off base. Before I digress any further, I will end here.
My parameter have been stable for the entire time:
Ca = 400-440 Hanna
Alk = 8.4-8.7 Hanna
Salinity = 1.025-1.026
Temp = 78.5-79.0 Apex controlled
pH = 8.0-8.3 Apex probe
Mg = 1340-1380 Salifert
NH3, NO3, NO2, PO4 = 0 Salifert
My lighting schedule has not changed and I change 1 t5 bulb every 2-3 months so i don't have any significant light diminishment over time. My flow has not changed at all and the MP10 is working as it should. I perform weekly water changes with Kent salt mix. I am currently dosing 18 ml a day to maintain ALK and Ca using 2 part using Bightwells, I also dose Mg.
Sorry for the long intro but I figured that at some point in the discussion I would be asked all these questions. I am trying to figure out why everything is beginning to brown out.
Is it possible that the corals are consuming all the other elements in the water to the point that weekly water changes are no longer sufficient in replacing them?
If yes, what should I start dosing to bring the colors back?
I have a Kamoer 3 channel doser along with the 4 channel doser which is a total of 7 pumps so adding things to the dosing regiment is not an issue. I just don't know if its necessary and if so what?
There is also the possibility I am completely off base. Before I digress any further, I will end here.