big polyps, no zooanthella...what's my problem?

saline solution · Dec 17, 2015

Symptom- sps bleach, polyps live, some for 8 months without growth, just huge polyps.some sps just die over a few months.
Sometimes sps tips bleach and skeleton structure gets muddled like low PH or alk swings, but those aren't happening.
Most zoas and xenia don't grow well, but live. Chalice very happy.

Specs:
50 gal cube
Started w dry BRS reef saver and tonga shelf
Salt IO RC, just changing to Red Sea Pro
ATI PM Hybrid 12 inches above tank par 200-300 for most corals
Sca 302 skimmer
Sg 1.025
PH 8.1-8.35 apex calibrated
Dkh previous 8-9, changed to 9-10, no help
Water- BRS Ro/dI TDS 0-3
No3 previous 0, added nitrates, stopped cheato let climb to 30, no help...started ATS, now down to 12.
Tried vinegar doseing w brs 1.1 doser for 3 mo, corals darkened, browned, white slome, backed off, no skeletal growth...stopped vinegar doseing 10/2015
Po4-0 red sea, but some GHA on ATS. And some cyano currently ( little)
Ca 420-440.
Temp rock solid 79.8-80
Feeding 1 frozen cube, 1 scp reef chili daily.
ATO is kalk of varying strengths, currently 1tsp/gal.

Anyone look at these corals and see what's going on? Heavy metals? Chemical warfair?

This is a green plate and rainbow undata

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Rob.D · Dec 18, 2015

Welcome to R2R!!! Can you try to re-post the other pics?

saline solution · Dec 19, 2015

saline solution · Dec 19, 2015

This is a frag that lost all zoanthella, and kept polyps over a year ago. Still just polyps, no new skeleton. Sits about 200 par.

Nano sapiens · Dec 19, 2015

Hmmm, Chalice doing very well. They are generally lower-light loving corals (as evidenced by their plate like shapes) and can to do well in somewhat nutrient enriched tanks. Also prefer lower flow areas...

With odd problems like this I'd personally try going back to basics. Weekly 10% water changes, quality water with consistent parameters within the accepted ranges for SPS. I'd remove the ATS (to rule out algae leachates as a factor). Just a bit of carbon to keep the water clear and the skimmer. I'd also look carefully at the flow characteristics in the tank to make sure that the SPS are getting sufficient flow ('polyps swaying in the breeze')

How old is the setup? Do you clean the substrate regularly or do you not touch it? Full tank pic would be helpful to assess the state of the system.

saline solution · Dec 19, 2015

Tank is 14 mo old, flow is good, but not too much. I just ordered a passive bag for carbon as my reactor and rox carbon seem too strong in the past. No yellowing of the water, even in a white 5 gal bucket.
I appreciate your recs to go back to water changes, and I started 3 wks ago w 10%, and did a 30% (biggest ever) yesterday when I changed to Red sea coral pro salt.
I have my alk doser I run manually when needed, and calculate amount when needed. I will do this more often.
Here are more pick, everything is the size I bought it, except the chalice, blue ridge, gsp, and a few shrooms.

I ordered a new set of bulbs today, going to switch to 5 b+, and 3C+, (replace actinic and purple plus w blue plus x2)
Here are more pics, see if you think anything else is odd. Thanks.

saline solution · Dec 19, 2015

I typically leave substrate alone, but my jaw fish doesnt....

twilliard · Dec 19, 2015

Are you still adding no3?

saline solution · Dec 19, 2015

No, stopped a long time ago, once levels came up, and I ruled that out as cause i stopped. I only Dosed for a few weeks. Now they are detectable and hanging around 8-16. A bit high, but comming down.