Tank issues....possible lighting?

[djbetterly]

I recently discovered the coral lab from ecotech and decided to give it a try with my tank. I have a 50gallon tank with two XR15’s. I test my parameters weekly and rarely if ever find much fluctuation, I run the triton system.

Since I switched my lights over to the SPS AB+, I noticed a dramatic increase in color as well as growth in some sps corals (montis especially) others have completely died. In addition to that I’ve also experienced a dramatic increase in algae, mostly brown on the sand bed, looks like diatoms in a new tank.

I tested for silica and the test came back negative. So I stirred up my small sand bed and tested again, still zero. Nitrates come in at 4ppm and PO4 hovers around .1.

As for other parameters:
Temp 78
SG 1.026
Calc 375
Alk 8.5
Mag 1500

I recently ordered new ICP test kit so I’ll send that in soon.

In the mean time, what are thoughts on lighting with the radions? I have the, about 14in off water line.

Let me know if you’re can provide any additional info.

Thank you!

 

[Jimbo662]

What do you have the intensity % set at?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

what corals died?
what or rather how did you set intensity?

its been noted for years that adding certain spectrums will fuel some algaes that have been dormant in the tank.. IMO, it generally burns itself out.

 

[djbetterly]

I'm horrible with names but here we go, one was a blue tip acro, green highlighter and a strawberry bali (forgive me if the names are incorrect).

The overall intensity is set at 50% with the blues and UV set to 100 and white at 25.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Yea it could be too much light maybe. Did they bleach out?

 

[djbetterly]

No I saw the flesh falling off.

 

[Jimbo662]

How deep is the tank and where in the tank were the corals that died?

what were the lights set at prior to changing to the coral labs settings?

 

[djbetterly]

They were positioned higher up in the tank, top third if you were divide it into thirds.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I don't know of reports of flesh falling off from light. Nor have I experienced it.
I have lost some sps and cros in a tank and have others survive..

 

[djbetterly]

After I saw the flesh falling off I was really concerned and refreshed my carbon. I was thinking something bad may have gotten in the tank...though not sure how. All mechanicals are working fine.

Just looking for some insights from the most talented people in this hobby.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Just looking for some insights from the most talented people in this hobby.

Three so nice I posted twice. Lol