I have a 5x2x2 litre system bare-bottom with an ATI 4 x 80w Hybrid Powermodule lighting and 2 x Tunze 6105s. I'm running chaeto under a grow light and a skimmer and that's about it. System has een up over 12 months and is currently fallow (ich). Most of my sps, once settled are growing. Not sure it's considered fast growth but I'm new to this so happy with that. Here are my parameters -
7.7-8 ppm dKH
450 cal
1400 mg
Nitrates and phosphates undetectable or nearly undetectable with Salifert test kits
My problem is that most of my SPS (not all) seem to be getting browner. This started well before I went fallow 8 weeks ago but has continued since and possibly got worse. Even before I went fallow I had a low bio-load. My understanding of the theory is that it could be due to low light or high nutrients increasing the amount of zooxanthelae in the tissue causing the brown look. I don't think I have either of these issues. In fact, I'm struggling to keep any nitrates or phosphates despite heavy ghost feeding and I have a lot of light between the LED clusters and T5 happening.
Clearly my corals are stressed, but I can't figure it out. Happy to answer any questions if it can help me troubleshoot.
This was the tank about 6 weeks ago (have removed sand since).
7.7-8 ppm dKH
450 cal
1400 mg
Nitrates and phosphates undetectable or nearly undetectable with Salifert test kits
My problem is that most of my SPS (not all) seem to be getting browner. This started well before I went fallow 8 weeks ago but has continued since and possibly got worse. Even before I went fallow I had a low bio-load. My understanding of the theory is that it could be due to low light or high nutrients increasing the amount of zooxanthelae in the tissue causing the brown look. I don't think I have either of these issues. In fact, I'm struggling to keep any nitrates or phosphates despite heavy ghost feeding and I have a lot of light between the LED clusters and T5 happening.
Clearly my corals are stressed, but I can't figure it out. Happy to answer any questions if it can help me troubleshoot.
This was the tank about 6 weeks ago (have removed sand since).