I don't get acros

[joe0813]

I don't get it, my acros always look like trash or they brown or turn white. I have really good flow with two mp40s, 2 wavs, and then my return. Lights are 3 Radion gen 4 pros at 65%. tank is a 180 by the way. salinity is a stable 1.025, alk - 8-9 usually 8.5, calc- 415-450 mag 1510. All checked with a trident. PH- 8.0 (night) 8.3(day). polyp extension is also garbage. I'm going to check my phosphates and see what thats at

 

[aqua_code]

What's your water change schedule. Are these new corals? They could be acclimated to different lighting.

 

[UCF Alum]

Have you considered doing an ICP test ?

I did one because I fought with acropora for over a year only to find out they were dying a slow death due to aluminum in the water. The inside of my UV light rusted.

 

[60CubeReefer]

What spectrum do you have your lights set at?

As a comparison, I'm using AB+ with 4 XR30 G4 pros running at 80% on the standard mount. 180gal tank as well.

 

[Pdash]

Check the PAR of your lights, check nutrient levels. 99% one of these is your issue.

 

[melanotaenia]

How long has your tank been setup? Need to check PO4 and NO3, they could be contributing to the problem with your acros.

 

[UCF Alum]

You’re going to get a hundred suggestions.
Brown is usually too much no3 and/or po4.
White might be too much light.
Make sure there’s enough flow so the polyps sway.
Target alk at 8 and don’t let it fluctuate, especially since you have a trident with the ability for controlled dosing with the Dos. I have one and it keeps my alk 8-8.1.
Post your parameters.

What program are you running on the Radions?

FWIW I keep alk at about 8. If it get 8.5-9 my acros will start turning white and it all goes downhill from there.

 

[joe0813]

just checked phosphate.... .01ppm with a hanna ultra low checker. I am using AB+ also. wonder if someone around me has a par meter. Kind of just guess what intensity to run. tank has been set up for 3 years in this house

 

[joe0813]

What's your water change schedule. Are these new corals? They could be acclimated to different lighting.

sorry missed this.... I do a 40 gallon water change once a month. corals range from 3-8 months old

 

[ScottR]

You’re not going to get any answers here that will solve your problem unfortunately. And I don’t say this with malicious intent. There are just so many variables. I noticed that by adding a T5 fixture to my tank, all of my woes were fixed. Not sure what lights you use or anything but just my 2 cents.

 

[pirate2876]

Pics? How does everything else do?

 

[joe0813]

You’re not going to get any answers here that will solve your problem unfortunately. And I don’t say this with malicious intent. There are just so many variables. I noticed that by adding a T5 fixture to my tank, all of my woes were fixed. Not sure what lights you use or anything but just my 2 cents.

3 radion gen 4 pros. I was thinking about adding a retro fit t5 just for the shadowing down the line.

 

[Pdash]

Xr30s or xr15s?

 

[Pdash]

How high are your lights off the water, orientation of lights, how deep is your tank, how far apart are the lights from center to center, at what level in the tank are your acros at? These are the kinds if questions that must be asked. Nitrate levels?

 

[joe0813]

Pics? How does everything else do?

I can take some, green slimmer grows like a weed, the few soft coral I have seems fine. Two RBTA and a long tentacle are also nice and open and happy.

 

[rock_lobster]

just checked phosphate.... .01ppm with a hanna ultra low checker. I am using AB+ also. wonder if someone around me has a par meter. Kind of just guess what intensity to run. tank has been set up for 3 years in this house

Too low most likely starving to death. Aim for .05-.03. and test nitrates also.

 

[joe0813]

How high are they off the water, how deep is your tanks how far apart are the lights from center to center, at what level in the tank ar your acros? These are the kinds if questions that must be asked.

xr30s, they are a foot off the water, tank is 24inches deep. acros are on the higher side of the tank. lights are 2feet apart from each other

 

[Pdash]

Starving your corals of light and food imo. Need to test par. How many fish do you have? You can rent a par meter from brs 50 bucks, just need a deposit.

 

[joe0813]

Too low most likely starving to death. Aim for .05-.03. and test nitrates also.

I have some Brightwell phosphate that I got from BRS. ill start slowly adding and get the number up. nitrates should be 5-10?

 

[joe0813]

Starving your corals of light and food imo. Need to test par. How many fish do you have?

im going to see if someone local has a par meter. fish list is.... Gem tang, small purple tang, tomini tang, lieutenant tang, two clowns, 2 lyretail anthias, gold assessor, royal gamma, Juvi emperor angle (so far reef safe) male and female mandarin and a melanarus wrasse