Drew1600
Active Member
Quick Backstory:
I have been reefing for around a year and a half now, freshwater for many years prior. I started my marine journey, like many, in a 13.5 Fluval Evo, ran for approx 7-8 months. During that time, I added my first few coral (Clove, Toadstool, GSP, Devils Hand, various Finger Leathers, Mushrooms, normal starter coral..) After a few months of learning I switched over to Fritz's RPM Blue Box, from regular IO, due to desired parameters, mixing time, ancedotals, etc. This followed with a few more months of success and the beggings of some growth/coloration. Added a Wall Hammer, baby Torch head, three Duncans, a Bubble Coral, multiple zoa colonies during this time.
At this point I was tired of my newbie aquascape and ready for more space for my Clowns, Fiji Blue Devil Damsel, and Coral, so I decided an upgrade was in order....
Enter: Current Build & The Situation
I cycled my current 29 DT w 20 long DIY sump at the end of 2020, and it has been up and running since. Plumbed in an additional 7-8 gallon frag tub about two months ago. Everything went smooth for the first couple months, and then Bryopsis (carried from a Petco Feather Duster most likely) set in.. I was able to manage by hand for awhile and things continued to go well for the most part.
So then, about the same time I plumb in the tub, I add some SPS test pieces (Monti, Birds Nest, Psammacora, Lepto) and a few more LPS too (Blasto, Lobo, Trumpets, Favia). At this point I am doing weekly 5 gallon water changes, and attempt to clean up Bryopsis by cleaning the sandbed with a siphon and turkey baster (bad idea I now know). Long story short this basically re-jumped the Bryopsis growth and its spread like crazy.
This is when things take a turn for the worst.
After another week or so of research and manual removal, I ordered some Reef Flux and decided to raise the Magnesium level as well. I raised from 1350 to 1550 over the course of 3-4 days. This was the last time my ducan colonies opened (about a month ago). The Reef Flux arrived, so I used as directed for a week and a half, and then did a 10 gallon water change as other corals were also receding. Anyways after all this and a couple more water changes my Duncans and Zoas are all still closed, and I am worried they may not last longer. LPS and Softies have less polyp extenstion but otherwise unaffected. SPS doing great.
PARAMETERS:
Salinity = 1.026
Temp = 25.5 C
ph= 8.0
dKh = 9.5
Calcium = 450
Mag = 1470
Nitrate = 2.5-5 (less during Reef Flux treatment and less during heavy wc periods)
Phos = 0.02
Lighting and flow have not changed. I dip everything before it enters, and other than occosional aptasia have no KNOWN pests. No fish or other critters that pick at coral. LFS suggested low nutrients as the problem? I have also wondered if the most recent box of RPM Blue was a bad batch or something, because I opened it about the time this all started too... I really have no idea and am beyond frustrated at this point so any advice or anuthing at all would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you so much & happy reefing!
I have been reefing for around a year and a half now, freshwater for many years prior. I started my marine journey, like many, in a 13.5 Fluval Evo, ran for approx 7-8 months. During that time, I added my first few coral (Clove, Toadstool, GSP, Devils Hand, various Finger Leathers, Mushrooms, normal starter coral..) After a few months of learning I switched over to Fritz's RPM Blue Box, from regular IO, due to desired parameters, mixing time, ancedotals, etc. This followed with a few more months of success and the beggings of some growth/coloration. Added a Wall Hammer, baby Torch head, three Duncans, a Bubble Coral, multiple zoa colonies during this time.
At this point I was tired of my newbie aquascape and ready for more space for my Clowns, Fiji Blue Devil Damsel, and Coral, so I decided an upgrade was in order....
Enter: Current Build & The Situation
I cycled my current 29 DT w 20 long DIY sump at the end of 2020, and it has been up and running since. Plumbed in an additional 7-8 gallon frag tub about two months ago. Everything went smooth for the first couple months, and then Bryopsis (carried from a Petco Feather Duster most likely) set in.. I was able to manage by hand for awhile and things continued to go well for the most part.
So then, about the same time I plumb in the tub, I add some SPS test pieces (Monti, Birds Nest, Psammacora, Lepto) and a few more LPS too (Blasto, Lobo, Trumpets, Favia). At this point I am doing weekly 5 gallon water changes, and attempt to clean up Bryopsis by cleaning the sandbed with a siphon and turkey baster (bad idea I now know). Long story short this basically re-jumped the Bryopsis growth and its spread like crazy.
This is when things take a turn for the worst.
After another week or so of research and manual removal, I ordered some Reef Flux and decided to raise the Magnesium level as well. I raised from 1350 to 1550 over the course of 3-4 days. This was the last time my ducan colonies opened (about a month ago). The Reef Flux arrived, so I used as directed for a week and a half, and then did a 10 gallon water change as other corals were also receding. Anyways after all this and a couple more water changes my Duncans and Zoas are all still closed, and I am worried they may not last longer. LPS and Softies have less polyp extenstion but otherwise unaffected. SPS doing great.
PARAMETERS:
Salinity = 1.026
Temp = 25.5 C
ph= 8.0
dKh = 9.5
Calcium = 450
Mag = 1470
Nitrate = 2.5-5 (less during Reef Flux treatment and less during heavy wc periods)
Phos = 0.02
Lighting and flow have not changed. I dip everything before it enters, and other than occosional aptasia have no KNOWN pests. No fish or other critters that pick at coral. LFS suggested low nutrients as the problem? I have also wondered if the most recent box of RPM Blue was a bad batch or something, because I opened it about the time this all started too... I really have no idea and am beyond frustrated at this point so any advice or anuthing at all would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you so much & happy reefing!
