SPS question..

[JVH]

I have 2 small SPS corals that are not doing so good and I would like to know why.. Maybe my tank was to young? Everything in my tank is thriving except those 2....
First a little tank history.
I have 29g tank that's about 6 months old. live rock, c crew,(new baby snails born in captivity!!) 3 shrimp, 3 fish and coral. I recently had an ick outbreak out break fish were QT. That should not apply but its part of the history!
All water parameters are good. Amm-0 NI-0 NA- PH-8.0 Varys. Temp 77/78
My calcium level is a little low and I know I need to get to the bottom of that as to why but for now its about 360 (api test kit) and I use Instant Ocean Reef Crystals..

I have mostly small corals and frags of mushrooms and zoas, button and a hammer oh and a torch corals. All doing excellent! I recently added a kessel 360 and the growth and color has been crazy! I noticed a difference almost immediately..

OK on to the 2 problems.....

My birds nest frag looked like it was finally starting to grow after the addition of the kessel but it is now slowly turning black! I have an orange Montipora that's about 3" x 2" but it has not grown AT ALL! Now it looks like its bleaching out and I have am emerald crab that could be nibbling on the edges tho I haven't caught him yet but he lives in the same rock but it had been looking shabby ever since I put him in the tank! However it has not grown in the 2 month I have had it..

Someone said SPS are for established tanks and my tank is not dirty enough! True or false?
I will be upgrading to a 55 reefer tank and wanted a mixed reef but I'm afraid to get any other SPS.

Any thought? comments? I would greatly appreciate it. I am (hate this word) Newbie! I have had fresh water all my life but started with the salt water reef only 6 months ago. Love it and as I stated everything is happy & great except the s SPS

 

[Tahoe61]

Please post other chemistry such as Alk, Mag and SG. Swings or a deficient alk value is a common culprit. A 6 month old tank should be able to keep sps. I doubt your nitrate and phosphate levels are so low that it would be an issue, but please provide those values if able.

If you're going the sps direction you really need to initially test Ca/alk/mag routinely as well as those other values stated above with less frequency.

Stick to easier sps like the Monitpora until you figure it out.

GL

 

[LetItReef]

If u just recently upgraded your light, just give it time to get use to it.
Also, u did not mention flow. I notice that our Birdsnest and Mont prefers strong flow.
We also have couple sps on our standard 29g and doing well w/o dosing just water change with IO.

 

[Deep_Six Corals]

Just to reiterate what Tahoe and letitreef have stated, you should post ca/alk/mg readings. Also maybe salinity. It will help us further understand what maybe going on. There are many factors that cause sps to go south. How Long ago did you add the Kessil? How high up,and towards the middle of the light are the corals? Flow? Let's us know!

 

[Longnose Hawkfish]

Test Calcium, Alk, and Mag. These numbers will help find the problem. Also, how long have you had your kessil up and running?

 

[JVH]

Thanks everyone for responding!
Ok, here are the other stats and info...

My kessel has been running about 5 to 6 weeks. I run a 12hr cycle with only 80% for 3 hrs mid day. Never 100% at any point. It slowly ramps up to 80% for 3 hrs and slowly down.

I have a PH that pumps 300 gph (actually I think more) and I have an HOB for a 75g tank. I actually keep it on high flow.. My hammer and torch are swaying pretty good so I'm pretty confident I have good flow..The birds nest in in the middle of the flow and pretty high in the tank...The Monti has been moved around for lack of finding a good spot and It never changed color or growth until I got the 2nd emerald crab which may be nibbling on it..

Salinity 1.025 (pretty consistently)
I just got a mag test but haven't used it yet.
CA = 360 again!
My ph with api test runs 8.0 but fluctuated depending on the time of day.
For Alk I use s dip test and it is always in range but maybe I need a better test.

 

[jsker]

Some more seasoned member will better lead you, but test your Mg, Ca is a little low, PH is fine and toss the ALK strips and get a good test for ALK. I was using the test strips and I am glad I took the advice of some on this blog to upgrade my test kits from strip.

 

[Tahoe61]

Some more seasoned member will better lead you, but test your Mg, Ca is a little low, PH is fine and toss the ALK strips and get a good test for ALK. I was using the test strips and I am glad I took the advice of some on this blog to upgrade my test kits from strip.

Yup you have to monitor and adjust alk more than any other parameter. You need to know that value and test for it consistently if you are inclined to keep sps, once your system is established then you can tapper off testing.

If your tank is experiencing growth of coralline algae or you have clams you need to really watch the alk and ca values.

 

[JVH]

I have been replacing all my api test kits with better kits and I was thinking the alk wasn't as critical as Ca and the others. I have a Salifert Mag test I will use tonight and I will get a good alk test asap. Thanks

 

[JVH]

Funny, I was always so concerned about the other tests and all this time I didn't realize the alk was even more important!

You said "If your tank is experiencing growth of coralline algae or you have clams you need to really watch the alk and ca values."
Isn't coralline growth good? I thought that's was something you want to see? Or does it mean something else is off?

 

[Tahoe61]

You're are likely to see increased utilization of Ca/alk/mag... and other elements with increased growth of coralline. The apprentice and growth of coralline is considered by most hobbyist as a good sign.

 

[JVH]

And do you think its a good sing? (nothing like putting you on the spot!) LOL

 

[that Reef Guy]

Definetly Flow (But maybe other issues as well and not Just Flow).

Flow is Key and SPS need a ton of it.

My 29 has a 750 and a 1050 so a total of 1800 (5 Times your Flow and this Tank does Not even have any SPS).

I have SPS in a Tank that is 2 Months Old so Age has nothing to do with Keeping SPS. Well they would probably do better in an established Tank but that does not mean you can't keep them in your Tank.

I would increase the Flow a Ton.

 

[jsker]

Tahoe61 is saying coralline is good. Even before testing was widely used and good test kits existed for the hobbyist , when I had good coralline growth I knew I was doing something right. I am testing every two to three day now with a 5 month old tank and tracking my readings . look online for the good test kits. my LFS has the good test kits if you need them quick but you can find some deals online.

 

[jsker]

Definetly Flow.

Flow is Key and SPS need a ton of it.

My 29 has a 750 and a 1050 so a total of 1800 (5 Times your Flow and this Tank does Not even have any SPS).

I have SPS in a Tank that is 2 Months Old so Age has nothing to do with Keeping SPS. Well they would probably do better in an established Tank but that does not mean you can't keep them in your Tank.

I would increase the Flow a Ton.

I have two Gyre 130"s in my 72 and they are set to pulse mode. one is set at 5 and the other is set a 3. I agree with flow and movement of water, but keep an eye on my tank. I had to turn one down for the reason there was to much flow for one of my soft corals

 

[JVH]

Thanks reef guy! I will try that...I just happen to move my monti closer to the PH already and till mu upgrade maybe ill add another PH

 

[JVH]

Oh Ok! Well i'm glad them because I have lots of coralline growth on the rocks and finally its starting on the glass in a few spots..

 

[duke4130]

Go get some salifert test kits, test and post your results. Guarantee that is the problem.... ATI are good start test kits for the easier types of corals but you are talking about the more advanced SPS and you need more advanced test kits

 

[JVH]

I have already started replacing my api. I have the mag test and the ammonia badge. Will get the others very soon! It will be interesting because I have been keeping records of every test so It will be a good comparason

 

[maroun.c]

+1 on quality testkits most important for Alk.
Yes coraline is good but it can cause your Alk and Ca levels to drop. Same as corals.
You mention your lights ramp up to 80% for 3 hours midday, maybe drop that to around 50% max and leave it there fir few months to add your corals then increase gradually over weeks to the final levels. Based on your light position and scape 80% might be a lot.
What PH donyou have there? A full blast non controllable PH might be harsh on corals controlable widestream powerheads is needed as corals dont like to be blasted continuously.