Need Some Help

jbb_00 · Jan 7, 2013

Sorry if this isn't in the right place - feel free to move if needed.

My tank is creeping up on the 5 month mark, since the move into its new spot. Everything has gone smoothly since the move , and my parameters all look good (I think) My problem is with SPS, I can keep the easy things like zoas, euphyllia , rock anemone , feather dusters , clove polyps , etc. without issue. Every SPS piece I have tried never lasts long. it looks great at the LFS , I bring it home and it browns out then RTN sets in . Can some of the SPS guys/gals chime in and provide some help.

Equipment

Rimless 25x18x18

20 Long - Sump / Fuge (Chaeto / Caulerpa )

Nano-Box Duo Box LED (just switched to this from 150w MH Phoenix 14k)

SC150 Skimmer

NextReef SMR1 - vertex biopellets

BRS Dual Reactor - Carbon / GFO (if needed)

MP20

Quiet One 3000 Return (also feeds reactors & chiller)

TECO TR-5 chiller (I had it so its hooked up just in case)

Reef Keeper Elite

BRS 2 Part on BRS 1.1ml Dosers

RO/DI - Spectrapure MPDI-90 (filters changed every 6 months - TDS = 0)

Parameters (as of 1-7-12 - 12 p.m.)

SG - 1.025 (refractometer)

Temp - 78.3 (RKE)

PH - 8.12 (RKE)

No3 - 0-5.0 (API - looks closer to 0)

Cal - 520 (hanna)

Alk - 9.68 (hanna)

Mag - 1470(salifert)

Po4 - 0.03 (hanna)

Water changes are 5g every sunday with Aquavitro Salinity.

What could I be doing wrong ? Everything else has great color , coraline is going crazy , no pests (that I can locate) , a couple of small patches of hair algae here and there but nothing crazy. I have a little bit of detritus in the sump that will be cleaned up today, but that is minimal as well.

Bluesaltwater87 · Jan 7, 2013

how much rock do you have in your tank and sump?
are you using sand and if so how much?
how much cheato do you have in your sump?
I am guessing this is a reef tank,
your magnesium is a little high. it should be between 1,250-1,350
your calcium is high as well. it should be 350-460 ppm
are you going to use any Strontium?
how are your ammonia and nitrite lvls?
do you age your water for 24 hrs before you put it in the system?

always reefin · Jan 7, 2013

SPS like lower alk, 7.5-8 in my opinion and as steady as you can. Might help

Steven R · Jan 7, 2013

as far as browning out i would look closer at your nitrates and phosphates and for stn/rtn I would look at your alk and temp stability.

jbb_00 · Jan 7, 2013

Bluesaltwater87 said:
how much rock do you have in your tank and sump? ~30#

are you using sand and if so how much? depth is 1 1/2"

how much cheato do you have in your sump? hard to say because it is a mixture of chaeto / caulerpa , but there is quite bit

I am guessing this is a reef tank, Correct

your magnesium is a little high. it should be between 1,250-1,350 I agree

your calcium is high as well. it should be 350-460 ppm I also agree

are you going to use any Strontium? At this time I am not using , could if needed

how are your ammonia and nitrite lvls? Nothing showed , but it was with API so take it as you may (getting new salifert kits this weekend)

do you age your water for 24 hrs before you put it in the system? I was until I had a conversation with Seachem, they recommend absolutely NO

MORE than 24 hours with the Aquavitro, so now its probably more like 6-12

Answered inside the Quote

jbb_00 · Jan 7, 2013

Steven R said:
as far as browning out i would look closer at your nitrates and phosphates and for stn/rtn I would look at your alk and temp stability.

Temp is solid , 78.3 +/-.3

My alk is something I am beginning to take a closer look at - I joined aquaticlog to help keep track