Trying to grow sps

[jman9331]

So I'm currently 0-4 when it comes to growing sps. I upgraded my leds from the marine orbit to maxspect increased the flow in my tank calcium, alk and mag, seem to be stable. What else should I do to have better luck with growing these?

 

[hybridazn]

How are you acclimating? Are you dipping, if so what type of dip? Are you also light acclimating?

 

[ou12004]

Not sure which ones you tried but you might start with a Monti or birdsnest once those do well move on to a green slimmer or something hardy. What are you running you LEDs at?

 

[Russ265]

So I'm currently 0-4 when it comes to growing sps. I upgraded my leds from the marine orbit to maxspect increased the flow in my tank calcium, alk and mag, seem to be stable. What else should I do to have better luck with growing these?

what corals are dying?
whats your flow look like?
...most importantly

how are they kicking the bucket?

 

[jman9331]

I had both a Monti, a birds nest, an acro, and a favia. I don't use a dip didn't know I was suppose to. And when I acclimate I turn lights off for some time then at the time I was running them at 60% now with these lights I run new livestock/coral at about 30/30

 

[jman9331]

what corals are dying?
whats your flow look like?
...most importantly

how are they kicking the bucket?

Before I had some flow not very strong but not weak either. My acro turned white my Monti turned black the birds nest turned white as well and all of its skin or what ever it is fell off

 

[Russ265]

acclimation shock is only for maybe 1/10 corals i chuck in my tank. majority are fine just popping them in. you may have that one-offer that dislikes 800 par but most get over it.

 

[Russ265]

Before I had some flow not very strong but not weak either. My acro turned white my Monti turned black the birds nest turned white as well and all of its skin or what ever it is fell off

sounds like rtn or stn. not sure about a blackened monti but ill take your word for it.

if i had a guess, not as stable as you think, or you have an early tank

what are your powerheads?

 

[jman9331]

Currently running 1 jabeo rw-8 tanks been established for over a year firstone was the Monti was doing good for most of that time then suddenly died slowly. The acro like 5 days after same with the others

 

[Russ265]

Currently running 1 jabeo rw-8 tanks been established for over a year firstone was the Monti was doing good for most of that time then suddenly died slowly. The acro like 5 days after same with the others

so give us the parameters of your water.

refractometer or hydrometer?

you have any nitrate or phosphate readings? test kit type?(api red sea etc)

when was the last time you changed your sandbed?

length of time before the birdsnest kicked the bucket?

temp swings? size of tank?

paint us a picture
sorry. just troubleshooting

 

[jman9331]

 

[Russ265]

base up usually means pest, low alk, low flow to me.

maybe some photo sleuths can chime in

 

[jman9331]

Parameters at the time were

PH 8.0
Alk 10.5
Ammonia 0
Nitrate 5
Nitrites 0
Cal 460
Mag 1290
Phosphates 0
Salinity 1.025

 

[jman9331]

I use a refractor eternal never changed sand bed and I just changed to a sump about a month ago.

 

[Russ265]

I use a refractor eternal never changed sand bed and I just changed to a sump about a month ago.

whats your temp like? this isnt a lighting issue.

 

[domination2580]

It looks like a pest but could be bleaching. Leds are now powerful then you think. I always acclimate mine slow, I have them just turned on for about 3 days then slightly increase them every 3 or 4 days till back to normal.

 

[jman9331]

About 79 degrees

 

[jman9331]

I changed over to sump after they died I was running a canister from the beginning to about a month ago they died before the sump was installed

 

[Scott.h]

What test kit are you using for nitrate and phosphate? Maybe I'm off but I'm surprised your nitrate is 5 and phosphate 0. Not that that's extreme but when my nitrates read 0 with api it was 40 with salifert.

What about flow? High flow is good but what about alternating current at various times during the day?

Are you carbon dosing? If so you might consider lowering dkh.

Also is there any softies near by producing toxins? Or LPS close enough to sting?

Lighting? What type? Have you measured par? What were they accustomed to before they were in there?

 

[Russ265]

yeah i just cant get over the thought a temp, ph or alk swing occurred. or you have terrible flow.

usually a birdsnest will bleach at the top from too much light. not just "let go at the base".

honestly, given your feedback, i cannot diagnose. something is not stable is my opinion.

@twilliard had black bugs eat his nest up, but his coral was healthy short of the feasted areas. those tips look done. polyps retracted.