Need help.. Cant keep a cap alive

[Trukingny]

so call caps are suppose to be easy to care for and this is my 2nd one and its not looking good idk what else to do i wanna keep sps but i cant even keep a cap alive im started to get frustrated... no3 is 1, po4 is 0, alk 8.7, cal 500 (getting down to 450), mg 1415... ive done par readings its getting 350 at the max peak.. ive done icp test 2x ill post that i started dosing aquaforest ABEV a week ago so to soon to see results from that but the last cap died and i wasnt dosing. Here are some pics i need help im getting frustrated and wanna keep sps eventually... PLEASE HELP..

 

[naterealbig]

What Kit are you Using to measurE PO4?

What are your Alk levels and what test kit?

How long has your system been set up? Tank looks beautiful, and healthy at a glance.

Looks like you've got some softies/lps in there doing Ok? Looks like the Caps are still alive?

 

[Trukingny]

What Kit are you Using to measurE PO4?

What are your Alk levels and what test kit?

How long has your system been set up? Tank looks beautiful, and healthy at a glance.

Looks like you've got some softies/lps in there doing Ok? Looks like the Caps are still alive?

Im using hanna checker phosphorus ppb for po4 and for no3 nyos.. here is my trident readings calcium i wanna get down to 450...system will be 1 year in june i started with dry brs rock.. yes lps ok yuma have been doing the best i just got the duncan and acans so cant tell yet cap is alive but you can tell its starting to go down hill..

 

[naterealbig]

All seems good. If Hanna is telling you 0 po4 i would definitely bump up the feedings for the fish. Some NLS pellets and Nori will help increase phosphate levels. Also reducing the photoperiod on your fuge can help to increase po4 levels as well. My favorIte thing to help boost nutrient levels in a new tank is a mix of Brightwells Amino Acids + Reef Roids + Reef Chili. About. 0.5 ml per 10 gallons, once or twice a day.

Whatever you do, just make very slight adjustments. Nothing is out if whack - if there was a major water quality issue, your LPS would alert you. Maybe pick one or two things from the list above, and just observe for a couple weeks. Be patient, things are looking good. You will get there.

 

[Trukingny]

Yea i just stared dosing aquaforest Energy, Build, Amino acids, and Vitality i also spot feed reef roids every 5 days 1/2 a teaspoon.. thank you for the compliment im really trying to do things right its about 50 gallons of water i do 5 gallon water change a week religiously

 

[mcshams]

All seems good. If Hanna is telling you 0 po4 i would definitely bump up the feedings for the fish. Some NLS pellets and Nori will help increase phosphate levels. Also reducing the photoperiod on your fuge can help to increase po4 levels as well. My favorIte thing to help boost nutrient levels in a new tank is a mix of Brightwells Amino Acids + Reef Roids + Reef Chili. About. 0.5 ml per 10 gallons, once or twice a day.

Whatever you do, just make very slight adjustments. Nothing is out if whack - if there was a major water quality issue, your LPS would alert you. Maybe pick one or two things from the list above, and just observe for a couple weeks. Be patient, things are looking good. You will get there.

We love the combination of Aminos + Reef Roids + Chili as well. We feed a little heavier but less often however, but love the combo!

 

[naterealbig]

Yea i just stared dosing aquaforest Energy, Build, Amino acids, and Vitality i also spot feed reef roids every 5 days 1/2 a teaspoon.. thank you for the compliment im really trying to do things right its about 50 gallons of water i do 5 gallon water change a week religiously

Man, really sounds like you are on point. Bare bottom systems especially can be nutrient deficient the first few months /year. With the fuge, you will run even lower naturally.

As @mcshams also mentioned, adding some nutrient-dense particulate may help even more. The beauty of AA is that the coral does not have to expend energy to utilize them. They are absorbed directly.

Can't stress enough - very small changes. You have achieved a balance, that is VERY hard for most to develop so quickly. Stay patient, and everything will come around.