question about white tips

[Bigdaddy]

i have some sps that the tips are turning white i have read that is could be alk swing or too low po4 or nitrates , my po4 reads 0 using a hanna checker and my nitrates read .05 with a salifert kit
my alk is 156ppm-160ppm when i check it i am using a calc reactor and my alk does not fluctuate that much imo could 4ppm fluctuation cause it or is it too low nutirients i have a 40b with 7 fish in it i read fish poo is key but im guessing i have something else going on i also have no algea in the tank except for light film on the glass every few days

 

[Viracon13]

I don't think that Alkalinity swing will do much. It may be due to low nutrients. Post a picture. Are you sure it's not growth tips?

 

[nervousmonkey]

+1 to viracon's advice. Too low nutrient levels will cause tip burning, as there is plenty of alk and calc to grow the CaCO3 skeleton, but not enough nutrients to grow the tissue, hence, white tips appearing on SPS.
Add some NO3 to your tank, here is a great link for reference: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/time-to-dose-nitrates.229032/

 

[james983]

Is coraline algae growing? How long is your tank running?

White tips could be new growth. Could you post a picture?

 

[Bigdaddy]

tanks been up a year rock came from my old tank that was up for 6 years i got coraline on the rocks not much on the glass will read the link on n03

 

[markalot]

8.7 to 8.9 KH is a little high for the low nutrients you have. Hard to say though without pictures. I would consider lowering KH to more natural levels, around 7KH or 125 PPM conversion calc: https://www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/Calculators/AlkConversion.php

If you really want to grow acros and you can't see the tips I would suggest some 3x reading glasses so you can get a nice close look at what is going on. My old eyes need a few different pair of glasses. Growth tips and dead tips look a lot different.

 

[Bigdaddy]

this was a fox flame

 

[Bigdaddy]

whats best way to lower alk could i just turn off the co2 to my calc reactor till the corals suck it up till i get around 7

 

[james983]

That is not new growth. I would try lowering Alk as Markalot suggested.

I would just reduce the CO2 rate to the calcium reactor slightly and monitor Alk levels closely. That will be more gradual than shutting the reactor down, which may cause more damage. Do you have a PH probe in your CR?

 

[Bigdaddy]

i have a ph probe in reactor and in tank i could adjust my controller so i have less reaction time ? in the reactor so less alk in tank right ?

 

[james983]

i have a ph probe in reactor and in tank i could adjust my controller so i have less reaction time ? in the reactor so less alk in tank right ?[/QUOTE

Yes, just remember you do not want PH in chamber to go above 7 as the media within chamber will not break down. Reduce level slowly as to not further shock Acros. It's will take time to show improvement. Good luck.

 

[Bigdaddy]

Thank you all for your advice

 

[Salty1962]

High Kh and low nutrients. What is your lighting and water movement? Have you ever tested your K? Too high levels of K will make tips burn like the one's in your pics.
I was at 0 for my Po4 and No3, I'm trying to raise my No3 to @ 4~5 ppm and see if it helps me. JAT

 

[Bigdaddy]

my alk was 156 ppm thats 8.736 i am lowering it to 7 slowly
i got to mp 40s for movement and a radion on coral radiance setting but adjusted it so its 20k at 55% now