Question about why my sps isn't doing well

[Jaysushi]

I've had a few acro frags start bleaching on me. Today I got my water tested and here are my parameters. I'm very new to sps and would like some advice.

These are my params as of today
Nitrate - 2
Phos - 0.00

Cal - 510
Alk - 10.2
Mag - 1320

The salt that I used when I started my tank was the Red Sea Coral Pro (black bucket). I have since switched to the regular blue bucket about 2 months ago. I'm going to also attach my light schedule for my AI Hydra 26. I keep the light 13.5" above water level.

For some reason I am not having luck with acros. My green birdsnest is doing fine. I have a 56gal total volume aquarium. I do 5gal weekly water changes. Help please , I really want to keep at least a few acro's. Not really looking for an sps dominant tank.

 

[tdileo]

A few questions, then statements:
Do you only have 1 Hydra?
What are your tank dimensions?
How old is the tank and did you start with live or dry rock?
Now for some other stuff.
Your PO4 shouldn’t be zero, that would starve your corals. I’m going to assume it’s not actually 0 and is just low in an appropriate range. My initial guesses would be the following, but they’re all just possibilities.
- high alk, PO4 low
- tank not mature enough
- not enough flow

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

What is your method of supplementing ca and alk?

 

[skiergd011013]

Im curious why you switched from rscp? Ive been using it on my 30 gallon thats almost all softies, with phenomenal results.

 

[Jaysushi]

@tdileo I only have 1 Hydra over the tank. My tank dimensions are 30" x 18" x 18". The tank is currently 8 months old and I started the tank with dry rock.

@LobsterOfJustice I don't dose anything if that is what you mean.

 

[Jaysushi]

@skiergd011013 I am tempted to switch back to rscp. I think the salt change maybe had an effect on my acro's, not entirely sure.

 

[tdileo]

@tdileo I only have 1 Hydra over the tank. My tank dimensions are 30" x 18" x 18". The tank is currently 8 months old and I started the tank with dry rock.

@LobsterOfJustice I don't dose anything if that is what you mean.

That’s about the same age as my 46 and I’m having no trouble with acros. I’m assuming you place them high up in the tank so they get enough light. What kind of flow do you have in your tank? Acros will not thrive and will eventually die if it’s not strong enough. This is probably more important than lighting IMO.

 

[Straight.Reefin]

Phosphates could be too low also

 

[Jaysushi]

Yes they get placed high enough to get good lighting. Im using two Jebao’s for flow. One is a sw-8 and the other is a sw-2. They are placed on opposite sides of the tank on the side.

 

[Jaysushi]

I’m going to feed more to bring up the phosphates

 

[Straight.Reefin]

I’m going to feed more to bring up the phosphates

Sounds good! And obviously don’t bring them up too high! lol

 

[Jaysushi]

Sounds good! And obviously don’t bring them up too high! lol

Haha yeah, my two previous tanks I was always trying to lower my phosphates. Now in this new tank here I am trying to raise it up a little.

 

[reefndude]

Are the tips bleaching or is it the whole frag? Tips would be a good indicator of alk to high with nutrients being on the low side.
I think you should stick with the red sea blue bucket. If I remember correctly alk is in the 8 dkh range.
Another thing too is if your alk is swinging with each water change. That could also be harmful to your acros

 

[Jaysushi]

The whole frag bleaches. The tips tend to go first and then the next morning the whole frag is on it’s way.

 

[Straight.Reefin]

Are you having bad alk swings?

 

[Jaysushi]

Honestly couldnt tell you. I dont have my own test kit. This test was done at my lfs. This is probably the second test done since the reef has been setup. I do need to invest in my own test kits

 

[Straight.Reefin]

Do you think your light is burning them and too intense?? I’ve had radions and kessils before but never hydras

 

[Jaysushi]

That could be a possibility. I did turn them down and especially the whites. I also reduced the photo period for my whites. Its baffles me how my birdsnest is doing completely fine and my luck with acros sucks.

 

[Straight.Reefin]

Hahaha man they are definitely a challenge!! You will figure it out but I wouldn’t change too many things at once or you will never know what the issue was! Haha

 

[omar jawad]

I'd spend the money on an Alk test kit. Test it daily until you have a stable range. SPS doesn't do well when the Alk is swinging.