SPS Help

[zemuss]

Happy Holidays everyone.

 

I am seeking some help with the SPS corals I have in my tank. Here is a list:

1. Red Planet (2 Frags)

2. Purple Acro

3. 2 X Green Acro

4. Orange Acro

 

I am not into designer names and only know one of the names of the corals I bought.

 

Here is the issue:

All SPS corals except for the Green Acro's are turning brown.

 

Dosing: Alkalinity because it was 7 and Natrureef Kalk dripped in with ATO water.

 

Parameters:

Calc = 450 (Steady)

ALK = 7 (Last time I checked) Slowly raising the level and my goal is to get this to about 9 to 10.

Mag = 1360 ppm

Phos = 0

Nitrate = 0

Ammo = 0

Nitrite = 0

Ph = Steady at 8.2

 

Equipment: 30 g Solana (Modified, took out false wall), 10 G Sump, Sunpod 250 MH with Phoenix 14k bulb, TUnze 9002 skimmer, MP 10ES (I used different modes TSM, NTM and Reef Crest), Eheim 1260 return pump, BRS ATO for Top off

 

What could be causing the SPS losing its color? I have LPS coral and all of the frags are full of color. I don't think it is a water chemistry issue because i believe I have enough light.

 

Any help is appreciated.

[Trolldoll]

What do you feed them? My alk is 7-8 and I have good color. How is the polyp extension? Could be to much light.

[zemuss]

I use Oyster Feast and feed if to all Filter Feeding animals weekly. What do you recommend I feed the SPS with?

 

What is the acceptable ALK levels? Because I have read anywhere from 9 to 10 is the target?

The Polyps are extended on all coral its just the RTN and Color i am concerned about.

[basser1]

Usually SPS turning brown means high nitrates and phosphates. I would definitely check phosphates. Also how often do you do water changes? How old is your bulb? And yes, I would raise your Alk to 8 or 9. What is your water temps? Do you dose, what and how much? These are just some things to consider.

 

SPS corals are not as forgiving on water params as other corals. My SPS corals will look fine, then if one thing gets out of whack, I do notice a change in their appearance, i.e. color change, little or no polyp extension, etc.

[zemuss]

I need to take new readings tonight. I do have an abundance of GHA right now which could be causing the Nitrates and Phosphates to read zero.

 

Water is a constant 78.

 

The Metal Halide is 2 months old.

 

I dose Natrureef Kalk to maintain my Calcium and Dose a 1/2 cap of ALk every other day because my ALK was 7. I will be testing the ALk tonight and reduce the dosing if the ALK is now within acceptable levels.

 

I do a 5 gallon water change every week.

 

"Z"

[CoralHeaven]

how long have they been in the tank? A lot of times sps will brown out when introduced to a new system and then color up again after a few weeks.

[zemuss]

All have been in the system for about 1 to 2 weeks.

[d9hp]

How old is the tank?

 

Sounds like nitrates....GHA wouldn't grow without some dissolved nutrients to feed on

[zemuss]

Tank is about 6 month old and is transferred from a 14 g biocube (1 year old). Everything else is thriving and multiplying but the Sps.

 

 

 

If it is nitrates I will be doing a 50% water change tomorrow.

[wrasseWrangler]

It is a water chemistry problem. If you are having a GHA issue then your water has a higher nutrient level than allowed by SPS. The good news is, if they are only turning brown and not dying than all hope is not lost. Just "clean" up your water.

[d9hp]

It is a water chemistry problem. If you are having a GHA issue then your water has a higher nutrient level than allowed by SPS. The good news is, if they are only turning brown and not dying than all hope is not lost. Just "clean" up your water.

 

+1

 

I had an API nitrate kit and it always read 0. I assumed I was fine but all my SPS were brown. There was SLOW growth and it was driving me absolutely insane. So I got a salifert kit and they were actually 2.5ppm. Did a 15% water change every day for 5 days and got them <1ppm and guess what? Color is back!

[zemuss]

Ok here is my proposed solution:

 

Day 1 (Dec 23rd) 50 % water change which is roughly 15 gallons.

Day 2 Back to 10% water change.

Every other day perform another 10% water change

 

Also, manually pull the GHA out of the tank. (man this is going to piss off my Sailfin Blenny off!)

 

Any ill affects by doing this drastic of a water change process?

[wrasseWrangler]

Any ill affects by doing this drastic of a water change process?

 

As long as your water change water has equal PH and salinity than change as much as you possibly can

[zemuss]

I appreciate all the help with this because I do not wish to keep buying SPS until this is fixed.

 

Any suggestions on the Salfin Blenny? Should I keep him? I did read that they are known to nip SPS corals but have not witnessed this. Anyone have experience with this type of behavior?

[d9hp]

I am weary of doing water changes that large because I lost two shrimp on two occasions but in theory you shouldn't have any issues. I would honestly just do 4 20% changes every day straight.

 

I'd also remove as much as possible by hand. I don't know naything about the blenny sorry!

[zemuss]

Thanks for the help. I will change my plan than and not be so aggressive.

 

20% water changes it is.

[wrasseWrangler]

I have had a red lip blenny eat SPS before, I also have heard many stories of other blennies eat SPS.

[lakshwadeep]

As long as the water change water has the same parameters (i.e. temp, salinity, pH), you should have no problem doing large percentage changes.

[Mojorizn]

If ya got GHA then ya got a nutrient problem.

 

I learned a lot of concepts from this thread:

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=254352

[driftsaru]

SPS are tricky, it comes down to stability. if one thing changes, they react, so try to keep everything consistent.

fluctuations in Lighting, nutrients, water temp, SG, flow, have all played a part in my SPS looking different.

[Dnic]

How old is the tank?

 

 

I have had a red lip blenny eat SPS before, I also have heard many stories of other blennies eat SPS.

 

How old is your tank?

 

I bought several SPS corals when my tank was only like 3 months old and they looked like #### forever. They lost color and NEVER had polyp extension.

 

Ever since I have just kept doing as normal, doing once weekly 13.7% water changes (4g out of 29g)

 

After about 4 more months, my SPS started looking great. Polyps always extended everywhere. Color alright (only T5s), but look great.

 

Perhaps your tank is still a little immature?

 

Additionally, I had a linear blenny that would nip at my clowns (unheard of to my and my lfs knowledge). And since they're known for nipping SPS, just be ready!!

[zemuss]

Dnic,

 

I might just give the Blenny back if I get the GHA under control. Not fair to the fish not to have a "natural" food source. This thing came to me skinny and is now nice and fat. The fish actually has contributed to the reduction of the GHA but it isn't enough because of the abundance of what appears to be a Phos and Nitrate issue.

 

If I want to keep the SPS its time for me to get serious about eliminating the water chemistry issue. I been researching this all day and multiple people say that same thing "Water Chemistry".

 

I have had this tank running for at least 6 months.

[Mojorizn]

Get your nutrients as low as ya can ( Nitrate 0/ Phos 0 ), keep them there however you choose ( frequent WC's or Carbon+GFO ) or however works best, feed your fish and your corals ( keeping the nutrients in check ) and they should start to color up again provided all else is good. It's just gonna take time ... no quick fix.

[Dnic]

Yeah man my lfs took back my blenny. I was sad to see him go but my picasso pair were priority.

 

I guarantee you that blenny would love some frozen brine if you can spare $5. GHA I don't think is enough for him.

 

Your sps will get better in time if all of your params are in check.

[zemuss]

I know it will not be a quick fix but need to address it and stay on top of the issue. What do you think about runnin Bio Pellets? I have this reactor ViaAqua. Would it be better to purchase the Two Little fishes or the BRS reactor?

 

"Z"