I need Sps help!

jmp21677 · Oct 1, 2020

really been struggling to keep sps alive. Hoping to get some help or suggestions! Lps aren't a problem,zoas and clams do great. Sps stop polyp extension and then fade. These have been in the tank 2-3 weeks.

50 gallon cube
Xr30 gen 4 pro ab+
4 24" t5 supplements. 400 par at top
3x mp10 qd
Nyos skimmer
Chaeto reactor diy

Calc. 410
Alk 8.2
Po4 .03
No .10

Doctorgori · Oct 1, 2020

oops, just saw the params

Charlie’s Frags · Oct 1, 2020

Your no3/po4 is too low
Get rid of the chaeto and try turning your skimmer off while the lights are on.
Have you checked your par on that light?

MnFish1 · Oct 1, 2020

1. what is No - .10. (Nitrate?). its a little low
2. Fine that the PAR level at the top of your tank is 400 - what is it at the level of the corals?
3. What is your flow like?
4. What fish (any) do you have?
5. Any chance of predators/parasites on the corals?
6. What is your source for the coral - have you matched the conditions in your tank - to the tank they came from (I mean - this might be impossible)?
7. Age of your tank - use RODI water - your salinity, etc - there could be 1000 things...

At least these might be some starting points. I have found that when I upgraded my lighting (my PAR at the top of the tank at the peak is 750 or so) - my SPS did much better. High flow - high light made the difference for me - hope this helps!!

ScottB · Oct 1, 2020

How old is the system?
Was this a dead rock start?
Is chaeto growing?
What is your PO4 test kit?

Nitrate is low at .1 but killing SPS inside 2 weeks... I have to guess more is at play.

MnFish1 · Oct 1, 2020

Chaswood79 said:
Your no3/po4 is too low
Get rid of the chaeto and try turning your skimmer off while the lights are on.
Have you checked your par on that light?

He mentioned the PAR in the OP (which seems somewhat low)

jmp21677 · Oct 1, 2020

Tank is 18 months old. Flow is set randomly throughout the day. Around 80% on the mp10s.

MnFish1 · Oct 1, 2020

jmp21677 said:
Tank is 18 months old. Flow is set randomly throughout the day. Around 80% on the mp10s.

I dont understand - do you mean the flow is on 'all day' - but is at random 'levels' (I assume thats what you mean - or is it on and off randomly. Is it ever directly on the corals - I have seen damage like what you have - when the flow has been too direct on the corals for 'too long'

jmp21677 · Oct 1, 2020

Random levels throughout the day. No pumps directly in corals

MnFish1 · Oct 1, 2020

Did you see the other questions - that I posted - like - do you know the PAR at the level of your corals?

morgan_jAq · Oct 1, 2020

jmp21677 said:
really been struggling to keep sps alive. Hoping to get some help or suggestions! Lps aren't a problem,zoas and clams do great. Sps stop polyp extension and then fade. These have been in the tank 2-3 weeks.

50 gallon cube
Xr30 gen 4 pro ab+
4 24" t5 supplements. 400 par at top
3x mp10 qd
Nyos skimmer
Chaeto reactor diy

Calc. 410
Alk 8.2
Po4 .03
No .10

Montis unfortunately are super super finicky. Test your magnesium, also what are you feeding your corals?

SeaDweller · Oct 1, 2020

morgan_jAq said:
Montis unfortunately are super super finicky. Test your magnesium, also what are you feeding your corals?

I don't think he posted any montis, maybe a birdsnest, but the other two look like acros

jmp21677 · Oct 1, 2020

MnFish1 said:
Did you see the other questions - that I posted - like - do you know the PAR at the level of your corals?

Sorry! Par is around 380-390 at the corals. Birdnest is off to one side on a frag rack. If my memory is right that was around 285. Always RODI, I've searched for parasites and dipped waiting to find a problem... haven't seen anything. Salinitu is 1.025

jmp21677 · Oct 1, 2020

morgan_jAq said:
Montis unfortunately are super super finicky. Test your magnesium, also what are you feeding your corals?

Have a sunset that is doing fine as well as a burning banana and looney tunes styli that are colored up and look good

Graffiti Spot · Oct 1, 2020

Birdsnest are sensitive to alk and nutrient fluctuations and are good canary corals for a lot of people. That’s what the dead one looks like to me at least. The tips on the acro look burned so I would guess alk is a little too high for the low nutrients. If nutrients fluctuated at any point that could have added to it.

Jeff Jarry reef · Oct 1, 2020

What's your mag.... Level ?

MnFish1 · Oct 1, 2020

This is just my opinion - corals release toxins (thats fact - not my opinion) - depending on what they are releasing - they can affect the ones around them - I would maybe move your corals apart - btw - I think this is unlikely in your case - but possible. Are you using carbon>

jmp21677 · Oct 1, 2020

MnFish1 said:
This is just my opinion - corals release toxins (thats fact - not my opinion) - depending on what they are releasing - they can affect the ones around them - I would maybe move your corals apart - btw - I think this is unlikely in your case - but possible. Are you using carbon>

I am not running Carbon regularly

ajjw0828 · Oct 1, 2020

I’d prolly do what others stated about running carbon. Might be worth peace of mind to add some poly filter. Other than that everything looks spot on to me. Couple questions. Are you running any additives for alk / calcium if so what? Also what’s your pH at?