Washed out Acropora

[bobnicaragua]

My tank went from 77 degrees to 82 one day about a month ago. Most of the acros lost color and have not recovered. My Banzai faded to pink, yellow tip browned out, shades of fall turned brown etc.

I slightly lowered my 2 part dose today to start bringing the Alk down.

Just tested the nitrates for the first time and they're undetectable, so I need to get them up.
I'm feeding fairly heavy and my fish are growing and getting fatter. I can't buy any new fish right now, so I'm thinking either turn off skimmer or cut back on water changes?

3 ft 70 gal
4 x t5s and 4 x kessil a80s in hood 5 inches above tank
Alk 10.3
Nitrates 0
78 - 80 degrees
3 gal water change twice a week
filter pad changed twice a week
ATO with saturated kalk and dosing BRS 2 part
Started dosing Brightwell amino acids about 10 days ago, but can't see any difference.
Running Skimmer, refugium, and bag of carbon replaced monthly.
Deep Sand Bed with medium sized sand so I have decent flow.

 

[Little_Red_Ryan_Hood]

IMO 0 nitrate is horrible for acropora. I had the same problem for years. No matter how much I fed the fish and corals, I could not increase nitrates. I eventually started dosing nitrate and phosphate. That was the only thing that worked. Health and color improved drastically.

If you decide to dose, check out acroporium.com for nitrate and phosphate additives.

 

[Little_Red_Ryan_Hood]

I am not a fan of turning off skimmers or reducing the frequency of water changes. They both have additional benefits other than reducing nutrients. Find a way to increase your nitrates and you will likely have better results.

You could also feed your corals more. Reef roids or phytoplankton will help corals in a low nitrate and phosphate environment.

 

[bobnicaragua]

Before I start dosing, what about easing up on the nutrient export?

Like, turning off the skimmer or cutting back on water changes.

 

[kevin_e]

I agree on the nitrates. The pale color to me indicates low nutrients. I'm going to guess that the temperature rise was just coincidental.

 

[bobnicaragua]

Okay, I haven't been feeding the corals at all, only dosing amino.

 

[kevin_e]

Before I start dosing, what about easing up on the nutrient export?

Like, turning off the skimmer or cutting back on water changes.

That's one option, and probably the good long term play. Anither option is to increase feeding and maintain current export levels. But I would also suggest getting nitrates up to where you want them quickly and then maintain with lower export or higher feeding. Pottasium nitrate will get your nutrients up quickly withput issue and prevent the presumed current starving issue.

 

[Kfactor]

That's one option, and probably the good long term play. Anither option is to increase feeding and maintain current export levels. But I would also suggest getting nitrates up to where you want them quickly and then maintain with lower export or higher feeding. Pottasium nitrate will get your nutrients up quickly withput issue and prevent the presumed current starving issue.

How fast should a person raise them ? I have the same problem

 

[kevin_e]

How fast should a person raise them ? I have the same problem

I've read several posts from Randy where he said there is really no harm in getting them to the 3-5 target range in one dose. He's said that there is more risk to health issues from 0 than a one time dose. I took that recommendation and saw no adverse issues.

 

[ScottB]

How fast should a person raise them ? I have the same problem

Dosing to achieve 5-10 in a day won't cause any harm at all. I use sodium nitrate solution.

 

[LARedstickreefer]

Before I start dosing, what about easing up on the nutrient export?

Like, turning off the skimmer or cutting back on water changes.

Just take the skimmer cup off. This will allow your skimmer to keep adding to your water oxygenation without pulling stuff out of your water.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Im suspecting high Alk (associated with temp) and possible high salinity in which you may be getting a false salinity especially if not calibrated for some time.
One other suspect I have is age of your tank. So:
What is age of tank ?
type of filtration?
Test Kits used?
Type and age of lighting ?

 

[minus9]

What's your PO4? Sps can survive low to near zero nitrate, but they need phosphate to live. Also, agree with others, alk should gradually be lowered, I would try to target lower 8's.

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

Your alk is also to high for low nutrient. I would consider dropping it to 7.5 area. I can’t get no3 or po4 to register. I’m dumping food in. Keep up with the aminos and feed, feed, feed. Maybe back the water changes down to smaller amounts. They replace some trace elements that the corals use. Turn the skimmer off for a six hour block during the day to see what happens. Good luck.

 

[Little_Red_Ryan_Hood]

Before I start dosing, what about easing up on the nutrient export?

Like, turning off the skimmer or cutting back on water changes.

The problem with reducing water changes and skimming is the inevitable seasaw effect on your tank. So you will do less water changes and that will help with nitrate and phosphate but have a negative effect on major and minor elements. In addition it creates bad habits.
Your skimmer adds aeration to your aquarium and helps stabilize your pH. It also pulls out other stuff besides nitrate and phosphate.


Others might disagree but finding a balance with your current equipment is vital to long-term success.

Long-term adding more fish and heavy feeding is the way to go. Finding a true Ballance with fish, corals, and your equipment.

Short-term add a nitrate and phosphate additive.

I hope that helps

 

[minus9]

Are you getting algae growth on your glass? Like others mentioned, skimmer should stay on, just remove the cup. Loudwolf sodium nitrate is cheap and it’s very easy to make up a solution. I always keep some on hand, just in case.

 

[dadnjesse]

How old is your tank? Those corals don't look encrusted, did you recently get them.

 

[bobnicaragua]

The tank is less than 5 months old, started with established live rock. Yes, algae grows on the glass. I've had most corals for 3 or 4 months.

 

[TexasTodd]

I doubt the temp swing did it.

 

[csb123]

You are a brave reefer to try Acropora with such a young tank. It will be a challenge to chase parameters and the usual onslaught of problems, as the tank cycles.