What is the first thing you do when your SPS look off?

[Quiverfull]

Just posing the question of what is the first thing you do/check when your sps start to look off? PE reduced, color fades, just do not look as healthy as they have been... I am curious to see how you work up the beginnings of something not looking right... especially if all your standard parameters (Alkalinity, Ca, NO3, PO4, Salinity, temp...) are stable and in a good range.

 

[Reefbuds]

Curious. I'm an sps noob but if anything starts looking off I always test all parameters and go from there

 

[JMetaxas]

Measure Alk first, check pH, then Nitrate and Phosphate.

If those look good and I’m still worried, I do an ICP test.

 

[gatorbait01]

Test all parameters, send off icp. Water change.

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

me..i panic, start dosing something that I have no clue is what is in it, change my light settings, do a rediculous emergency water change

 

[squirrelbaffler]

Check water temp and salinity. Maybe look for pests .,, red bugs, acro eating flatworms.

think about any changes you made a week or two ago. Seems they show up visually a week or so later.

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

Check Alk, Cal and Mag. Then salinity. If all those are good then it’s time to start thinking about anything that may have changed with the system. ICP is the last step IMO.

 

[jda]

This won't be a popular answer, but panic is not a bad idea. If stuff is starting to look bad, then damage might be done. Especially as you get pieces that are harder to keep and need more stability, you have to keep them from ever getting to where they look bad. Unfortunately for some, losing a piece is the first sign that something is off.

Alk and calcium nearly every day unless you have a calcium reactor and then once or twice a week is good, but you have to glance at the effluent and bubble rate instead. Salinity at least once a week. Temp checked with something with mercury in it at least once a week. Never trust a pH probe without a handheld pen or monitor on hand (much more reliable). Have RODI and freshly mixed salt on hand just in case.

Water changes perhaps are the best thing that people can do if they just cannot pinpoint when something is off. I would rather buy a box if IO and change 176 gallons of water than send out an ICP test which will bring back several false flags and doesn't get lots of important things anyway.

Some like to journal their changes and stuff. I especially recommend this if you use a new medication, chemical and treatment or mess with your lights.

 

[Arego]

.

 

[Quiverfull]

This won't be a popular answer, but panic is not a bad idea. If stuff is starting to look bad, then damage might be done. Especially as you get pieces that are harder to keep and need more stability, you have to keep them from ever getting to where they look bad. Unfortunately for some, losing a piece is the first sign that something is off.

Alk and calcium nearly every day unless you have a calcium reactor and then once or twice a week is good, but you have to glance at the effluent and bubble rate instead. Salinity at least once a week. Temp checked with something with mercury in it at least once a week. Never trust a pH probe without a handheld pen or monitor on hand (much more reliable). Have RODI and freshly mixed salt on hand just in case.

Water changes perhaps are the best thing that people can do if they just cannot pinpoint when something is off. I would rather buy a box if IO and change 176 gallons of water than send out an ICP test which will bring back several false flags and doesn't get lots of important things anyway.

Some like to journal their changes and stuff. I especially recommend this if you use a new medication, chemical and treatment or mess with your lights.

Question about water changes... Do you prefer one large change or sequential smaller changes? For instance, if you were going to do a 50% water change, would you do this all at once of divide it into 3 portions over several days?

 

[jda]

I guess that it depends on how well you can match the water. If you can get it perfect where nor coral slimes or anything, then more is fine. If not, then less volume over more days is better.

 

[GarrettT]

I’ve done 75% twice in the last month. No issues whatsoever. Just keep alk, salinity, and temp stable.