need help with acro

thakid · Jul 31, 2015

I was given 2 acros by my local lfs. But I cant never seem to keep them alive. One of them is dying and I don't know why, can someone please help
120 gal 4o gal sump , chiller set to 77-78 , two return pumps, 2 circulation pumps and 2 small circulation pumps. octopus skimer, carbon reactor, phosphate reactor.
ph 8.2-8.3
amonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 0
kh 6
phosphate 0.1-0.3
calcium 460
magnesium 1350
salt 1.024 refractometer
all tested with api
lights are on 4 hours in morning and 4 hours in afternoon from 5-9
two blue light I tried to get the name of it but it is not readable
2 coral plus 54w
trulumen t5ho 54w 12kk power white
ati 55w purple
ati 54 w purple plus
1 arnic the rest was faded
powered by sun blaze t5 48" 8lamp

FarmerTy · Jul 31, 2015

My first guess would be your low alk levels and potentially your phosphate level as well. I usually suggest aiming for 8-9 dKh for alk and 0.03-0.06 for phosphate. I'd also look into a more precise test kit than API. I like using the Hanna phosphate checker and alk checker.

Tahoe61 · Jul 31, 2015

Bring your alk up to at least 7.5 and maintain alk between 7.5-12 dkh.

If you want to keep sps you're going to need better test kits API is not going to cut it. I recommend getting at least a Hanna Checker for alk.

thakid · Jul 31, 2015

thank you I was told to get salifert as well. I am having trouble with keeping dkh at 7 drops every day. to 5 I dose esv bionic 1 and 2 daily but not working using 35ml

FarmerTy · Jul 31, 2015

Salifert and Red Sea are both great tests kits as well.

If you can keep alk levels stable, you might just be an expert reefer!
[emoji4]

thakid · Jul 31, 2015

and I am working on getting better test kits

thakid · Jul 31, 2015

looking at the red sea ones and some hanna chekers

Tahoe61 · Jul 31, 2015

Salifert, or Red Sea for Ca and Mag. You'll test for alk so often when keeping sps it's just better to have a Hanna for alk.

Try and get your alk over 9 over the course of a couple days so you do not drift down so low. What salt mix are you using?

thakid · Jul 31, 2015

thanks for the help and I will keep updating thank you.

thakid · Jul 31, 2015

was using red sea coral pro going to change to instant ocean reef crystals

hybridazn · Jul 31, 2015

Bump up that alk! That will def help the cause

chefjpaul · Jul 31, 2015

thakid said:
was using red sea coral pro going to change to instant ocean reef crystals

Why, may I ask?
How long are you mixing it btw?

I might also raise NO3 a bit. 0 is starving corals.

ReefMadScientist · Jul 31, 2015

OP, I am assuming your acros are dying from the bottom up correct?

But as everyone is saying you need to increase your Kh. You may want to bump up your Magnesium first. Kh, Mg, and Ca are all dependent on one another. If you are to increase your Kh, you may see a swing with your Ca lowering. Magnesium is your balance of the two. Make sure that is consistent and you will be good with the seesaw effect.

chefjpaul · Jul 31, 2015

hybridazn said:
Bump up that alk! That will def help the cause

+1

D maul · Jul 31, 2015

Red Sea pro is is a good salt, you might want to check your alkalinity with a better test kit before making any changes.

thakid · Jul 31, 2015

thank you all for the great advise and I will be following the advises that you have all given me .

thakid · Jul 31, 2015

ReefMadScientist said:
OP, I am assuming your acros are dying from the bottom up correct?

But as everyone is saying you need to increase your Kh. You may want to bump up your Magnesium first. Kh, Mg, and Ca are all dependent on one another. If you are to increase your Kh, you may see a swing with your Ca lowering. Magnesium is your balance of the two. Make sure that is consistent and you will be good with the seesaw effect.

yes they are dying from bottom to top

thakid · Jul 31, 2015

thakid said:
yes they are dying from bottom to top

ReefMadScientist · Jul 31, 2015

thakid said:
yes they are dying from bottom to top

Acros dying from the bottom to top is a sign of Alkalinity deficiency.

Tab28 · Jul 31, 2015

ReefMadScientist said:
OP, I am assuming your acros are dying from the bottom up correct?

But as everyone is saying you need to increase your Kh. You may want to bump up your Magnesium first. Kh, Mg, and Ca are all dependent on one another. If you are to increase your Kh, you may see a swing with your Ca lowering. Magnesium is your balance of the two. Make sure that is consistent and you will be good with the seesaw effect.

+1
It is hard the keep alk stable when very low if calcium and magnesium are on high normal side. I would cut back on calcium dosing until it catches up to mag then alk. When calcium and magnesium lower into the alk percentage range you should be able to increase each once they are in sync.