RTN on SPS!

SPSNick · Apr 11, 2019

So I have had my SPS dominant running for a little over two years. A week ago I switched sumps, went from an Eshopps ADV-300 to a 75 gallon tank. Reason for switching was I wanted a little more water volume and I hated the Eshopps sump! So the next day I started noticing the skin coming off my green caps. Didn’t think much of it until the following day when (2) of my colonies and all of my Green caps were completely bleached! All parameters were fine but I did drop my Nitrates from around 20ish to around 5ish. I’m not sure if that’s what caused it or what? So far I have lost five or six mini colonies and half of a couple large colonies. I’m not sure what else to do. Any ideas would be great!

Big G · Apr 12, 2019

MrObscura · Apr 12, 2019

ihavecrabs · Apr 12, 2019

That is odd. How about temp swing while switching the sump out and adding more water volume?

With it being immediately following the sump replacement, there is a slight concern with the sump itself potentially having something undesirable on it. Did you clean it well?

SPSNick · Apr 18, 2019

ihavecrabs said:
That is odd. How about temp swing while switching the sump out and adding more water volume?

With it being immediately following the sump replacement, there is a slight concern with the sump itself potentially having something undesirable on it. Did you clean it well?

Yes I cleaned it before I set it up. I did notice a small amount of acrylic dust that didn’t get out from when I was cutting. Other than that I am thinking an Alk swing.

Scdell · Apr 18, 2019

You're not giving enough info here.

SPSNick · Apr 18, 2019

How so, I explained my situation.

Scdell · Apr 18, 2019

SPSNick said:
How so, I explained my situation.

You didn't tell what volume the old sump was compared to the new sump. You didn't say what or how you added new water, salt mix, etc. And you didn't give your water parameters. Before and after changing sumps.

SPSNick · Apr 18, 2019

I went from an Eshopps ADV-300 to a 75 Gallon tank as a sump with 3 chambers. Added roughly 15-20 gallons more water volume. Parameters were as follows.
PH- 8.2
CA- 420
DKH- 9.8
PO3- 20
PO4- .08
After sump switch
PH- 8.2
CA- 420
DKH- 10.4
PO3- 5
PO4- .08

Scdell · Apr 18, 2019

Nitrates?

zack801 · Apr 18, 2019

SPSNick said:
I went from an Eshopps ADV-300 to a 75 Gallon tank as a sump with 3 chambers. Added roughly 15-20 gallons more water volume. Parameters were as follows.
PH- 8.2
CA- 420
DKH- 9.8
PO3- 20
PO4- .08
After sump switch
PH- 8.2
CA- 420
DKH- 10.4
PO3- 5
PO4- .08

Your problem might be you have whatever PO3 is in your tank...

hatfielj · Apr 18, 2019

DKH spike could possibly be to blame. I think it's risky getting up into the 10 range. I've had issues with alk that high. Some people run their tanks higher, but if your corals are used to lower Alk, then that could be a problem.

Scdell · Apr 18, 2019

Alk is high, but it was high before the change. Not that much of a spike.

SPSNick · Apr 18, 2019

Scdell said:
Alk is high, but it was high before the change. Not that much of a spike.

I may be off a little on the DKH. I’m thinking it might be the issue. I say that because I checked it on Sunday or Monday and it was at 9.2. I checked it today and it was at 10.8!

hatfielj · Apr 18, 2019

SPSNick said:
I may be off a little on the DKH. I’m thinking it might be the issue. I say that because I checked it on Sunday or Monday and it was at 9.2. I checked it today and it was at 10.8!

Yeah, in my experience that can do it. Certain corals can get really PO'd with Alk changes. Others don't seem to care.