Hey all,
For a little back story on my tank I have a 120 Gallon reef which is LPS dominant. Has been up and running for 2+ years now. I am not running a refugium at this time as I took it out due to charging not growing and filling up with algae. My LPS, Torches, Zoas, frogspawns, Xenia, etc are all very happy and thriving.
Now, Why can’t I keep SPS? I have tried SPS multiple times and so far all I end up with is white bleached dead coral. Granted I have concluded that my first attempt at SPS I had a Dino outbreak at the same time which I think may have killed them due to high PO4 and Nirate at that time which was over a year ago. I decided to shoot my shot at SPS again about a month ago. I picked up birdsnest, a green slimer, and another piece that is not named. When first introduced the polyps were out for the first few days and then nothing after that. Green slimer and birdsnest are bleaching and the other piece looks ok other than no polyps coming out. I did have an alk fluctuation due to a dosing error which wasn’t my fault at the time I introduced these pieces but since then everything is under control. I do consistent weekly water changes of about 25%.
Levels are as follows:
Alk: 8.7
Calcium: 420
Mag: 1500
Nitrate: 30
PO4: .02
PH: 8.2
Potassium: 370
The last ICP test I did was over a year ago after my Dino outbreak I am going to do another one.
Lights: Photon v2+ Reefbreeder lights with 12 hour peak schedule.
Flow: Sicce X Stream x2 running at about 50% at the moment each.
What do you guys think may be my problem because I don’t understand!
Thank you!
For a little back story on my tank I have a 120 Gallon reef which is LPS dominant. Has been up and running for 2+ years now. I am not running a refugium at this time as I took it out due to charging not growing and filling up with algae. My LPS, Torches, Zoas, frogspawns, Xenia, etc are all very happy and thriving.
Now, Why can’t I keep SPS? I have tried SPS multiple times and so far all I end up with is white bleached dead coral. Granted I have concluded that my first attempt at SPS I had a Dino outbreak at the same time which I think may have killed them due to high PO4 and Nirate at that time which was over a year ago. I decided to shoot my shot at SPS again about a month ago. I picked up birdsnest, a green slimer, and another piece that is not named. When first introduced the polyps were out for the first few days and then nothing after that. Green slimer and birdsnest are bleaching and the other piece looks ok other than no polyps coming out. I did have an alk fluctuation due to a dosing error which wasn’t my fault at the time I introduced these pieces but since then everything is under control. I do consistent weekly water changes of about 25%.
Levels are as follows:
Alk: 8.7
Calcium: 420
Mag: 1500
Nitrate: 30
PO4: .02
PH: 8.2
Potassium: 370
The last ICP test I did was over a year ago after my Dino outbreak I am going to do another one.
Lights: Photon v2+ Reefbreeder lights with 12 hour peak schedule.
Flow: Sicce X Stream x2 running at about 50% at the moment each.
What do you guys think may be my problem because I don’t understand!
Thank you!