I think I have figured it out!

[Nigel35]

A lot of my corals haven't been doing to great... (many have kicked the bucket). Was cleaning the nozzles of the return pumps and both have pretty lame amounts of water coming out. One is a little more than a trickle... Could that be the reason the corals anoint doing to good? To add on top of that I have an extra powerhead flowing toward the middle of tank and everything in that area is doing A+ great! PM's have been in the right numbers. Should I replace them or just clean them out really good? Any help appreciated!

 

[Pistondog]

hey Nigel, care to share your tank age, size, water parameters, livestoc.
Some here might have insights.
Return flow is important.

 

[Nigel35]

45 Gallon JBJ AIO. Did a tank transfer and it has been 8 and a half months old since then, Size is 26" in width, 21" length, 19" tall. Only got a pair of clowns and a flame angel currently with a cleaner shrimp and the CUC. Will check PM's right now.

 

[Nigel35]

Tank in April:

Tank Now:

Notice how the GSP isn't billowing as it used to in the previous pic:

 

[Nano sapiens]

The correct amount of flow is REALLY important for coral health (some would even say more important than proper lighting).

Having a pump/outlet cleaning schedule (based on how fast they gum up and loose flow) will go a long way to success (ex: I clean my small tank's return pump every month as that's what it takes to keep it at peak operating condition).

 

[Nigel35]

Thanks! PM's:

Ph: 8.0-8.2
CA: 380-400ppm
KH:11ppm little high usually prefer it at 8 or 9
Phosphate: 0.25
Nitrate: About 10ppm
Salinity: 1.026
Temp: 78.7 (Right on! Even though it was 113 degrees a little earlier today lol)

 

[vetteguy53081]

Nitrate and KH a little high and the disruption of flow causing dead spots in flow can be a contributor.
Overall parameters look good.

 

[Nigel35]

Do you think a good clean out of the return pumps will do the trick?

 

[Nano sapiens]

Do you think a good clean out of the return pumps will do the trick?

You mentioned that you have just a 'trickle', so yes clean them out

 

[spideybry]

Tank in April:

Tank Now:

Notice how the GSP isn't billowing as it used to in the previous pic:

Hey, I saw you comment on my thread so I figured I'd take a look at yours lol. Your PMs looked fine to me personally (dKh being a little high - possibly why the digitata looking coral has whiter than usual tips? Look up tip burn for more info on that).

So in the progression shot, you can see that you did get some growth/coloration out of most the corals. Obviously the duncan is not happy at all and the pagoda cup in the back looks annoyed as well. The alkalinity being out of whack could be doing that - https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/duncan-corals-only-partially-open.684558/

Check out that thread and see if it looks a bit similar. How is your magnesium?

I would def clean out the pumps and see if that increases waterflow, you are getting some cyano or detritus build up in the nooks and crannies and corners under the GSP.

Do you have any media in the back chambers that could be reducing flow?

Hope this helps.

On a side note, I really am digging how you have the BTA in a glass on the side lol. Has it ever wanted to wander?

 

[Nigel35]

My bad the Duncan is usually the best one but it just shrunk up.

 

[Nigel35]

Nope. It likes where it is at! Makes my life Easier... lol. Beautiful when it is fully extended. I'll send a pic. I did have some Chemi pure Carbon near the pumps but I put it in a better spot so it won't block the flow. Will probably clean out the pumps tomorrow and see how that will go.

 

[Nigel35]

Here it is With the percula:

 

[Nigel35]

Thank you for all the advice!

 

[Nigel35]

Here is a link to the cup if interested: