Tomcitienet
Community Member
I've been in the hobby for over 10 years and have been a frequent reader of the forums but haven't posted much. However, I'm in need of help because I've gotten some acropora frags recently and am experiencing bleaching/necrosis on the tips of many of the frags. It started with one frag a couple days ago, the higahest frag in the tank. As of yesterday, about 5 of the 15 frags are affected. The frags have been in the tank for exactly two weeks now. I lost all of my SPS after a move in August but my two maxim clams and elegance thrived. I don't want to lose these SPS. See the next post for pictures.
I think its STN because I can see coral skeleton on the tips but I'm not sure. Could the coral be bleaching and then necrosing? The bigger question is: what's the cause and what should I do? I'm seeking advice before making any changes or touching the coral.
Nitrate: 2 ppm (Red Sea Nitrate Pro)
Phosphate: 0.00 ppm (Hanna P04 Checker)
Salinity: 34.6 ppt (Apex), 35 ppt (Milwaukee)
Alkalinity: 8.176 dKH (Hanna)
Calcium: 440 ppm (Salifert)
pH: 8.3 to 8.4 (Apex)
ORP: 295 to 330 over past week (Apex)
Temp: 79.4 to 80.1 F
Some notes about my water parameters. I do a 5 gallon water change every 2 weeks with Red Sea blue bucket. I'm due for one this weekend. I know my Phosphate is low and is one suspected culprit. I dose 2 ml/gal/day of NoPox. I bottomed out the phosphate with GFO a month ago but now only use Red Sea Reef-Spec carbon. Also I did shift my alkalinity over the past week 2 weeks slightly as I was dialing in my DOS and targeting 8 dkh. I'm not sure if this would count as an Alkalinity swing:
April 7: 8.960 dkH
Apri 8: 8.848 dkH
April 10: 8.680 dkH
April 13: 8.456 dkH
April 15: 8.120 dkH
April 17: 7.952 dkH
April 19: 8.176 dkH
Lighting and flow are also a concern. Though I'm not sure in what way I would change them. I have a second generation Radion XR30 with the TIR lenses and the diffuser. Below is the Apex program. I also have 2 Mp10s. Below is the also the Apex program for them as well.
Thank you in advance to anyone who takes the time to read through and offer advice!
I think its STN because I can see coral skeleton on the tips but I'm not sure. Could the coral be bleaching and then necrosing? The bigger question is: what's the cause and what should I do? I'm seeking advice before making any changes or touching the coral.
Nitrate: 2 ppm (Red Sea Nitrate Pro)
Phosphate: 0.00 ppm (Hanna P04 Checker)
Salinity: 34.6 ppt (Apex), 35 ppt (Milwaukee)
Alkalinity: 8.176 dKH (Hanna)
Calcium: 440 ppm (Salifert)
pH: 8.3 to 8.4 (Apex)
ORP: 295 to 330 over past week (Apex)
Temp: 79.4 to 80.1 F
Some notes about my water parameters. I do a 5 gallon water change every 2 weeks with Red Sea blue bucket. I'm due for one this weekend. I know my Phosphate is low and is one suspected culprit. I dose 2 ml/gal/day of NoPox. I bottomed out the phosphate with GFO a month ago but now only use Red Sea Reef-Spec carbon. Also I did shift my alkalinity over the past week 2 weeks slightly as I was dialing in my DOS and targeting 8 dkh. I'm not sure if this would count as an Alkalinity swing:
April 7: 8.960 dkH
Apri 8: 8.848 dkH
April 10: 8.680 dkH
April 13: 8.456 dkH
April 15: 8.120 dkH
April 17: 7.952 dkH
April 19: 8.176 dkH
Lighting and flow are also a concern. Though I'm not sure in what way I would change them. I have a second generation Radion XR30 with the TIR lenses and the diffuser. Below is the Apex program. I also have 2 Mp10s. Below is the also the Apex program for them as well.
Thank you in advance to anyone who takes the time to read through and offer advice!
