Cant keep Acros for some reason...

[chaoticreefer]

Like I have said, I have played with higher nutrient levels previously with same results.

As for lighting, I started out with just the kessil. I have played with the intensity, probably down to just 60%, maybe even lower (trying to remember). Currently running about 80%. I added the T5s about a year into it.

 

[pirate2876]

Sorry guys, I've been late getting home from work and unable to take pics because I shortened the light period.

 

[chaoticreefer]

Oops forgot about salinity. I mixed with a refractometer. It has both level readings (SG and PPT), I shoot for 35PPT. On the tank in the sump, I have a conductivity meter, it usually jumps around 53 (it doesn't stay on a constant number, it usually a constant dance ±0.5 around 53.

 

[pirate2876]

I'm trying to figure out a time line to when things started to go downhill for me. The only thing I can think of is adding a booster pump to my RO/DI unit.

Oops forgot about salinity. I mixed with a refractometer. It has both level readings (SG and PPT), I shoot for 35PPT. On the tank in the sump, I have a conductivity meter, it usually jumps around 53 (it doesn't stay on a constant number, it usually a constant dance ±0.5 around 53.

What do you use to make your RO/DI? Im looking at mine as a possible suspect.

 

[chaoticreefer]

BRS's 6 stage

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-6-stage-universal-ro-di-system-75gpd.html

My city uses chloramine in it's water so I got the 6 stage.

 

[Oceansize]

I am going through your same issue and very frustrated. After this great thread, i am leaning towards stripping nutrients to quickly, possible too big if alk drop, all with an abundance of light. I stopped carbon and gfo, snipped what little coral is left of my acros and lessened my hours from 11 total to 8 hours. I am on a thorough regent of testing alk. This seems to happen every time i run carbon and gfo for a week. Thus the thinking of the stripping of nutrients too quickly. I will cross my fingers and hope for the best. Good luck to you

I have always, always run GAC 24/7 and not had this problem. I did start having this problem after adding GFO. The reason I'm scratching my head now is I took the GFO out three weeks ago and I still have no PE.

 

[pirate2876]

Bump. Things look considerably better. I kind of over did it with the stump remover and I am in the middle of an algea storm but, I am confident that will go away.

01-15-2016 - Reef Tank - 48 of 50 *

Reef Tank - 48 of 50 *
01-15-2016 Ammonia (NH3-4) Good 0 0.000 - 0.050 mg/L
01-15-2016 Nitrite (NO2) Good 0.008 0.000 - 0.100 mg/L
01-15-2016 Phosphate (PO4) Good 0.02 0.000 - 0.250 mg/L
01-15-2016 Nitrate (NO3) Good 16 0.000 - 25.000 mg/L
01-15-2016 Silica (Sio2-3) Good 0.5 0.000 - 0.500 mg/L
01-15-2016 Potassium (K) Low 336 350.000 - 450.000 mg/L
01-15-2016 Ionic Calcium (Ca) Good 176 100.000 - 400.000 mg/L
01-15-2016 Boron (B) NA NA 3.000 - 6.000 mg/L
01-15-2016 Molybdenum (Mo) Good 0.3 0.000 - 0.300 mg/L
01-15-2016 Strontium (Sr) Good 7.2 5.000 - 12.000 mg/L
01-15-2016 Magnesium (Mg) Good 1320 1100.000 - 1400.000 mg/L
01-15-2016 Iodine (I) Good 0.03 0.030 - 0.090 mg/L
01-15-2016 Copper (Cu) Good 0.03 0.000 - 0.100 mg/L
01-15-2016 Alkalinity (meq/L) Good 2.7 2.500 - 5.000 meq/L
01-15-2016 Total Calcium (Ca) Good 420 350.000 - 450.000 mg/L
01-15-2016 Iron (Fe) NA NA 0.000 - 0.010 mg/L

 

[tjwaggoner]

Battling what I suspect is a nutrient stripped system here too. Causing my acros to simply become very pale and almost pastel colors. Good polyp extension, and they are growing (encrusting but not branching much-except a monti digi which is branching lovely) just aren't pretty like when I got them. I'm not in a rush because like I said I don't think they're dying, but just not thriving. I run a 6 bulb t5 with a mix of ati bulbs (can't remember exactly the recipe. I think 3blue+ 1 coral+ 1 Aquablue special and 1 purple+). Nitrates have been u detectable since forever. On two salifert kits. I'm getting ready to switch to a mh t5 lighting with a 250w 14k and 4t5 bulbs. Lately I've upped my feeding considerably (more times, not more food per feed) added a new fish, shut down my carbon and gfo reactor completely. And have been shutting down my skimmer for a few hours when I'm sitting near the tank watching tv or reading and then turning it back on if I leave. Maybe it's down for an hour a day average. Anything else you guys thing I could do here short of adding stump killer. Which I really want to avoid.