Slow growth followed by LPS Necrosis

[iko2thdk]

LPS, Slow to no Growth Followed by Necrosis

I just don't seem to be able to keep LPS corals alive. Hammers, acans, elegance, the all fail within months with very little polyp extension followed by loss of tissue slow and steady.

Water Params:

Alk 7.4-8.0
Phos 0.0-0.2
Nitrates 6.8, recently dosed w sodium nitrate as my nitrates were always at 0.0 and it was suggested by LFS to feed more. Also tried NeoNitro which never raised the nitrates. Never could get the nitrates up until now.
Ca 360-400
MG 1350

Using Tropic Marin reef crystals, water changes every 3-4 weeks approx 15% total volume. Lighting is with 2 hydra 26's mostly b,v,uv w/ about 1-1.5 hrs of T5 daily.

Feeding reefroids, mysis, pellets, brine shrimp, and reef frenzy. Algae at this point has not been much of a problem.

Fish are thriving, softies, leathers, zoas, even a meat coral doing ok. Feel like I've done everything to make the water parameters Ideal and yet I cannot get the LPS to thrive.

Suggestions? HELP!!!

 

[blaxsun]

What's your lighting (PAR) and flow like? I've found none of my hammers really like or thrive in the substrate.

 

[iko2thdk]

Par is about 250-300, generally I place the lps in the substrate do you think I should move it higher??

 

[iko2thdk]

I have two MP40s running reef crest and anti sync, also two add'l powerheads for flow through the aquascape, nothing gets "blown away" in the tank. Its a reefer 350..by the way

 

[afrokobe]

Par is about 250-300, generally I place the lps in the substrate do you think I should move it higher??

is it 250-300 par at the substrate?

 

[iko2thdk]

No those values are mid to upper, one suggestion was to cut the T5 lighting and just use the LEDs?

 

[Lavey29]

I have two MP40s running reef crest and anti sync, also two add'l powerheads for flow through the aquascape, nothing gets "blown away" in the tank. Its a reefer 350..by the way

I have an XL 300 so about the same size as you. I run my MP40s on lagoon mode at 38% during the day ramping down to 28 overnight. Your water isn't dirty enough for LPS. Nitrates at 10 and phosphate. 05. 75 to 100 par on the bottom.