Oregon tort loosing color?

[KLR]

Why is my o.t. loosing color?

It has been doing fine until the past 3 days, all my other corals are completly colorful and opened in cluding torts,staghorns,other acros,caps,en. monti's,etc.

But my oregon tort isnt looking so hot?

 

[ronnie]

It is another really sensitive ORA - would probably round out my top three most sensitive with the hawkins and GBP.

I actually fragged my colony due to STN, and watched eight frags RTN in front of my eyes.

What are your parameters like? Any phosphate or nitrate issues?

 

[KLR]

They r both 0

Ill test everything right now..it makes me so mad because it is my favorite acro,i own.. . .. .

 

[KLR]

Calcium is 500


next test

 

[KLR]

ph 7.8

 

[KLR]

phosphates 0.5, and i dont know why? I just cleaned the tank 2 days ago and have not had phos. the whole time ive had the tank, i re arranged a bunc hof base rocks today, if that makes a differance

nitrates 0
nitrites 0

 

[ronnie]

did you miss a zero? is it .05 or .5?

If you didn't drop a zero, I'd retest. could be an error in testing.

Either way, that is definitely your issue. I'd do a big water change (30% or more) with all parameters matched as closely as possible. Do you run GFO at all? Might consider starting it if not. Start with small amounts and slowly work up. Pulling the phosphates out of the water column too quickly can be as devastating, or more, as having high phosphates.

 

[ronnie]

And yes, moving the rock around probably stirred some detritus up causing the spike.

 

[KLR]

yep it was between 0 and 0.5 so i just went with 0.5, still not sure how they rose?

If my mag is to high would that be an issue?

Wsa trying to get rid of bryopsis..tech m

 

[ronnie]

High mag doesn't really effect phosphates - or do much harm from what I've seen. It is good for reducing nuisance algae though. Have you tried lights out for three days and cover your tank with a blanket to knock out the bryopsis?

 

[xmjxflipx]

I keep my mag at1350 -1400, mag helps control all and calcium levels

 

[KLR]

High mag doesn't really effect phosphates - or do much harm from what I've seen. It is good for reducing nuisance algae though. Have you tried lights out for three days and cover your tank with a blanket to knock out the bryopsis?

No, does that not bother the corals at all? Might just have to try that

 

[KLR]

my mag is kinda up there....1750

 

[ronnie]

That is a good Mg for reducing algae. Coral shouldn't mind it.

 

[KLR]

Ok, will aqua zone phosphate pads help remove the phos?

I dont have anywater atm so i cant really do a water change

 

[ronnie]

I've not heard of those before, but I'm sure they can't hurt.

 

[KLR]

I just put 1 in ill see if it helps any, then ill try to clean the tank again this weekend

 

[clowns101]

Raise your PH 7.8 is kinda acidic in a reef tank,thats fine for fresh water,but a salt water system needs a 8.2-8.3 PH level.

Check into that first.