Is this a sign of bleaching or something else?

[P3FE]

I'm having some issues with a couple of my Acros and can't figure out what the problem is. I added this guys a few weeks back and we're doing really good until about a week ago when they started to retract polyps, and loosing flesh in their tips and growing algae in them. They have also started to loose their color and starting to look as if they are about to disintegrate soon.

There's other SPS in the tank and they are doing fine. Water quality is good and parameters in check. I have 4 Radion G3 pro running at 65% on the radiant color setting 8" of the water. The tank is 96x30x30 and The frags are about 24 inches from the light.

I've ran out of ideas of what could be causing this issue. I don't see any signs of pests. I hope anyone has seen this before and can shine some light in this issue.

Temp 78.6
Ph 8.10
ALK 8.5
Cal 450
Mag 1320
Orp 312
PO4 0
NO3 2

The pictures were taking with lights out and a flashlight so you guys can see what's going on.

 

[twilliard]

From the pictures it looks as they are lacking nutrients
How old is the tank?

 

[P3FE]

From the pictures it looks as they are lacking nutrients
How old is the tank?

Tank is 6 months old. Ive been thinking about the nutrients issue also, I have been using the tropic marin Bioactiv salt and I'm wondering if thats one of my problems. I wonder if that carbon source they put in the salt is just working against me every time I do a water change.

 

[twilliard]

What are you using to test no3 and po4?

 

[P3FE]

What are you using to test no3 and po4?

RedSea and Salifert for NO3, I alternate just to back my self up, and Hanna for PO4

 

[favites]

Might help for us to see a FTS and some of the healthier acros as well

 

[P3FE]

 

[P3FE]

 

[P3FE]

Some of the other ones that are doing just fine

 

[favites]

I agree, colors look good on others--were the ones having an issue the ones just added? Similar lighting intensity and flow to others in the tank?

and although I don't see an AEFW bites, those definitely deserve a dip in some Bayer!

 

[P3FE]

I agree, colors look good on others--were the ones having an issue the ones just added? Similar lighting intensity and flow to others in the tank?

and although I don't see an AEFW bites, those definitely deserve a dip in some Bayer!

Yes, just the ones added. Same light and flow.

 

[favites]

do you have anything to dip one of the colonies in?

 

[P3FE]

do you have anything to dip one of the colonies in?

Yes, I'm going to get some bayer tomorrow and dip one of this guys and see what happens, I don't think I have any pest, but i want to make sure that is a fact.

 

[Macdaddynick1]

Personally, I think the aminos wouldn't work for most people but you can benefit by adding some. If your tank is too clean and your lights are cranked up sps will usually be ticked off , and recede, I solved a similar problem by lowering my lights a little and adding some food to the tank. Aminos convert to nitrates pretty well, or you can just add around a 4-5 cubes of mysis without washing them. That should work, and turning off your skimmer for a few days could help too.

 

[P3FE]

Personally, I think the aminos wouldn't work for most people but you can benefit by adding some. If your tank is too clean and your lights are cranked up sps will usually be ticked off , and recede, I solved a similar problem by lowering my lights a little and adding some food to the tank. Aminos convert to nitrates pretty well, or you can just add around a 4-5 cubes of mysis without washing them. That should work, and turning off your skimmer for a few days could help too.

Thanks! That makes a lot of sense, I will definitely look in to it.

 

[twilliard]

This may fall under the one question there is no answer to.
Sometimes SPS corals do what they want to do.
By looking at your pictures I would watch them close.
No matter how hard we try to answer the question as to why acro's don't make it or show signs of deterioration we may never be able to answer the question.
Don't change your tank in any way, would cause more harm than good.
Just keep an observant eye

 

[P3FE]

This may fall under the one question there is no answer to.
Sometimes SPS corals do what they want to do.
By looking at your pictures I would watch them close.
No matter how hard we try to answer the question as to why acro's don't make it or show signs of deterioration we may never be able to answer the question.
Don't change your tank in any way, would cause more harm than good.
Just keep an observant eye

Will do! Thank you!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I have 4 Radion G3 pro running at 65% on the radiant color setting 8" of the water

Do you know what Par or lux that puts you at?

 

[P3FE]

Do you know what Par or lux that puts you at?

280 Top of aquascape which is 22 inches from the light.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

That seems low for SPS. Im not a SPS x prt but Im trying. Heres a quick google image search I did. sps coral par
https://www.google.com/search?q=sps...Fe64GM:;uNeuEzf1LSkNGM:&imgrc=E-zj11zPFe64GM:

Their gonis are running in the 200-300 range near the bottom. The highest for SPS seems around 1000+

Melev also has a great write up (and mapped pictures) on par and a great mixed reef you may want to compare what hes doing too as he really is an expert.
http://melevsreef.com/node/678