My sps frags are dying..

[JCOLE]

Honestly, I would stop Nopox and start getting your nutrients up along with adding bacteria for the next couple weeks. Could also try dipping the corals in an Iodine dip to help. However, if your parameters are not consistent and your Biome diversity is not established then your SPS will suffer.

FYI, I used Phosguard for 3 days and it sucked the colors out of my corals because it removed my PO4 so fast. Never used it since.

This is what my monti cap color looks like everyday

This is what it looked like after 3 days of Phosguard

 

[Daddy-o]

I also like to put my SPS directly below my LEDs. Maybe add some aminos
Cheers! Mark

 

[Kaludar]

So I shut the nopox down, and I’m increasing my feeding some. My question about adding more bacteria is this: if my nutrients are already low, couldn’t adding more denitrifying bacteria potentially make my situation worse?

 

[Daddy-o]

Lets go slow, now that you stopped nopox, let the tank stabilize. You could add some bacteria like Zeobak if you like but I would wait and get your parameters good.

 

[Kaludar]

I wish I wouldn’t have had this idea that I must have zero nitrate and phosphate in my head for so long I’ve probably been stunting my coral growth for the last 5 months. I’ve just been so worried I’m going to get algae that it’s become my primary focus.

 

[Daddy-o]

I wish I wouldn’t have had this idea that I must have zero nitrate and phosphate in my head for so long I’ve probably been stunting my coral growth for the last 5 months. I’ve just been so worried I’m going to get algae that it’s become my primary focus.

Relax, it is gonna be good! Algae is not an issue to worry about now. How many fish do you have?
Cheers! Mark

 

[Kaludar]

Relax, it is gonna be good! Algae is not an issue to worry about now. How many fish do you have?
Cheers! Mark

I have:
2 clownfish
Flame angel
Midas blenny
Royal grama
Firefish

Tank is 65g

 

[Daddy-o]

So I would give the reef a couple weeks to settle from the nopox and check my nitrates/phosphates. If they were still a little low, I would add a couple fish. (perhaps herbivores) also at that time I would get a clean up crew going.
Cheers! Mark

 

[Kaludar]

So I would give the reef a couple weeks to settle from the nopox and check my nitrates/phosphates. If they were still a little low, I would add a couple fish. (perhaps herbivores) also at that time I would get a clean up crew going.
Cheers! Mark

I have a pretty extensive CUC, I do really want a yellow tang as I feel like it’s an iconic reef aquarium fish but people keep telling me 65g is not enough for one

 

[Daddy-o]

I have a pretty extensive CUC, I do really want a yellow tang as I feel like it’s an iconic reef aquarium fish but people keep telling me 65g is not enough for one

I have a Yellow Tang in a 60 gallon. I think if you want it, get it! But I would wait at least a week til the nopox clears.

 

[Daddy-o]

Also, skim good for the next week to get the dying bacteria out.

 

[Daddy-o]

What and how much are you feeding your fish?

 

[Kaludar]

What and how much are you feeding your fish?

1/2 cube of spirulina brine shrimp daily, I’m increasing to 1 cube

 

[Kaludar]

I also dose 4ml of Red Sea reef energy a and b daily

 

[Punchanello]

My tank only started doing well with SPS when I had a decent number of fish. Heavy feeding and heavy export seems to be key. I find that chaeto works well to keep nutrients down. It doesn't seem to export Po4 at the rate it exports No3 so maybe one every six months or so I tumble a tiny bit of GFO for a few days to bring Po4 if it starts climbing.

I wouldn't worry about algae too much. The reality is that algae and corals need exactly the same sources of energy. If your coral is doing well then your algae probably is too. Tangs and other algae eating fish are there to clean it up.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have a suspicion of FALSE Salinity.
have you calibrated Unit? I would suggest verification taking water sample to a trusted LFS and have them test to see what they come up with and to compare with your readings
Ph is slightly low which may indicate low alk?
What test kits are you using?

 

[Kaludar]

I have a suspicion of FALSE Salinity.
have you calibrated Unit? I would suggest verification taking water sample to a trusted LFS and have them test to see what they come up with and to compare with your readings
Ph is slightly low which may indicate low alk?
What test kits are you using?

I have calibrated I have a Milwaukee instruments digital salinity meter, maybe I should bust out the old refractometer and double check it?

 

[Daddy-o]

1/2 cube of spirulina brine shrimp daily, I’m increasing to 1 cube

Instead of dumping one cube in, can you feed 1/2 cube twice a day? (like breakfast and dinner) and while I like the spirulina, brine isnt very nutritious.

 

[23Andy23]

I wouldn't change too much at once, you'll start causing bigger issues then you're experiencing now

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have calibrated I have a Milwaukee instruments digital salinity meter, maybe I should bust out the old refractometer and double check it?

Yes- nothing to lose