SPS pale - But is it a nutrient issue?

[tnc112105]

Tank Parameters:

Alk: 8.1
Ca: 410
Mg: 1260
NO3: Undetectable
PO4: Undetectable
Temp: 76

My SPS have been pale for quite some time. I know from looking at my test results that low nutrients are the most obvious cause. But I have algae and cyano - on the rocks and sand that indicate that the readings I'm getting might be a false negative. The algae is by no means taking over, but it is present and growing.

The tank is a RSR 450 that has been set up for 3 years. Flow is 2 x Gyre 250's. Use ESV salt.

Currently stocked with
2 x Bangaii Cardinals,
1 x Tailspot Blenny
1 x Ocellaris Clown,
1 x Chinstrap Jawfish,
1 x Swissguard Basslet
1 x Yellow Coris Wrasse
1 x Cleaner Shrimp

Thinking of doing a Triton test. What is the estimated turnaround time for results?

Any suggestions until then are much appreciated.

 

[Ranjib]

I think you are too low on phosphate. But I’m not expert at this scale, let’s see what other say

 

[AngryMike2016]

Do you have PAR readings?

 

[tnc112105]

I don't have a PAR meter, but could probably rent one from BRS if you think lighting could be the cause.

I running a ReefBreeders Photon 48 (V1), so the light is ~5 years old, but no burnt out LEDs. Bought it new, and never ran the channels over 50%. Maybe time to upgrade?

 

[ajhudson15]

it could your algae is consuming all the nutrients before your sps can. I battled that as well. getting rid of the algae first is what you need to do and then see where your nutrients are.

 

[tnc112105]

it could your algae is consuming all the nutrients before your sps can. I battled that as well. getting rid of the algae first is what you need to do and then see where your nutrients are.

The algae isn't that bad but I see your point. I neglected to change the filters on my RODI which I think caused the algae problem. Hopefully caught it early enough that the algae doesn't get out of control. How did you manage to get rid of yours?

 

[Bouncingsoul39]

Why not try dosing Salt Petre (Sodium Nitrate) powder to bring the nitrate to 0.05-1 ppm and see what happens? Algae and Cyano can absolutely be present in a low nutrient system. Typically, pale acros is due to either bleaching from increases or significant changes in lighting, extreme temp swings, or from bottoming out nitrate.

 

[ajhudson15]

The algae isn't that bad but I see your point. I neglected to change the filters on my RODI which I think caused the algae problem. Hopefully caught it early enough that the algae doesn't get out of control. How did you manage to get rid of yours?

its rough but I just tried to make sure I scraped it all off every couple days. changed the filter socks out after it caught all the algae. I also got some bio media spheres and put them in a bucket of saltwater and dosed some bacteria to seed it. once it was seeded good I added it to my sump to help out compete with algae.. one thing I would highly recommend you don't do is use chemiclean. from a personal experience it wiped my bacteria population out when I used it.

Why not try dosing Salt Petre (Sodium Nitrate) powder to bring the nitrate to 0.05-1 ppm and see what happens? Algae and Cyano can absolutely be present in a low nutrient system. Typically, pale acros is due to either bleaching from increases or significant changes in lighting, extreme temp swings, or from bottoming out nitrate.

I would agree with raising nitrates also. some of that algae should start to die off after you get your nitrates a little higher and out of ulns range

 

[tnc112105]

Should I try to bring it up a little at a time? I agree that undetectable nitrates are bad, I just don’t want to cause an algae explosion.

 

[ajhudson15]

I would either feed more or dose pure nitrate

 

[ajhudson15]

Amazon sells it cheap. It called sodium nitrate

 

[vetteguy53081]

Can be as simple as lighting or inadequate intake of kalk or even water flow. Are you feeding plankton and roids or similar occasionally? What method and rate is your water flow and even simple- Salinity level??