Do you all think the reason behind the browning in my acros is high nutrients, and if so should I invest in a protein skimmer at some point? The tank is only 25-gallons, and I wouldn’t want the LPS and softies to hold back on growth due to low nutrients, but I also want the acros to look nicer. What should I do? I’d like to see how they react with a more stable alkalinity before I make that type of change. Also, the torch looks veryyyyyy nice today. I moved it onto the sandbed.
Low Alkalinity
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Randy Holmes-Farley
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Browning of corals is usually low light or high zooxanthellae from elevated nutrients.
Okay, I'm gonna need some honest opinions. I want to find the cheapest, least stressful way out of this. If this tank grows LPS and softies so well, should I keep it that way and donate the two acros? I don't want to give up on them, but I also don't want to make constant investments in coral that just won't be happy in these conditions. I have the feeling that my tank has too many nutrients for them, but if I lower those nutrients, I'm scared my LPS will react. The only two corals that are looking a bit nicer are the Monti and Birdsnest, although they still do not have that great of colors. What would you all do if you were in this situation: Keep trying to please the SPS or make this an LPS/softie tank?
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I would take a deep breath, enjoy your reef, slowly make any needed adjustments to your parameters (adjustments do not have to be pricey), and see how everything looks on Valentines Day.
Happy Holidays! Mark
Happy Holidays! Mark
Hi, the nitrate test kit finally came in the mail! The results were around 25 ppm, maybe a little less. The two-part system also arrived, and I will be able to start dosing the tank tomorrow. A protein skimmer should be coming soon, which I'm hoping will take care of the phosphates and nitrates.
I will perform a small water change tomorrow because my torch looked a little sad today. Also, the monti looks like it's releasing some white string.
I have one more concern, and it's about the tank lighting. Is Current USA Marine Orbit even sufficient? I do get coral growth with my LPS and softies, but could they use more? I want the best for this tank, so I was wondering if they'd be happier with the addition of a small T5 fixture.
It is likely that I will be turning this into an LPS/softie only system if the acros don't make a comeback. I don't want them to completely bleach on me, so I might end up donating them to a reef store that can actually care for them. Until then, I'm doing what I can with the parameters, and I'm trying my best to have some patience.
I will perform a small water change tomorrow because my torch looked a little sad today. Also, the monti looks like it's releasing some white string.
I have one more concern, and it's about the tank lighting. Is Current USA Marine Orbit even sufficient? I do get coral growth with my LPS and softies, but could they use more? I want the best for this tank, so I was wondering if they'd be happier with the addition of a small T5 fixture.
It is likely that I will be turning this into an LPS/softie only system if the acros don't make a comeback. I don't want them to completely bleach on me, so I might end up donating them to a reef store that can actually care for them. Until then, I'm doing what I can with the parameters, and I'm trying my best to have some patience.
