Why can't I keep Montipora & Acropora?

[TnFishwater98]

I’ve actually begun to have success with all SPS recently. Honestly I increased my flow a good bit and made it more “random” by using different pumps and varying strengths. Ever since that and sticking to my monthly water change schedule I’ve had success.

after Seeing the encrusted do well, I introduced some acropora and have seen success there too.

How old was your tank when you were having problems?

 

[Creggers]

How old was your tank when you were having problems?

6-8 months - I started with Live Rock and got overzealous with my stocking early on.

 

[Kingston]

My tank is almost 2 years but I started with dry marco rock. I just set up my Apex for the first time 4 days ago. I have noticed the salinity is reading 35.3-35.8 even though my hanna salinity tester is giving me a stable 1.026. I have a Tunze ATO. I also started mapping out PAR in the tank and so far the highest I am getting with the Apex is 150-170 on the rocks and 125 on the sand.

 

[ct_purley]

My tank is almost 2 years but I started with dry marco rock. I just set up my Apex for the first time 4 days ago. I have noticed the salinity is reading 35.3-35.8 even though my hanna salinity tester is giving me a stable 1.026. I have a Tunze ATO. I also started mapping out PAR in the tank and so far the highest I am getting with the Apex is 150-170 on the rocks and 125 on the sand.

Remember that your salinity will change slightly as temp goes up and go....you can map that with the apex then apply the TC value when you recalibrate your salinity probe

 

[muffinmanXL]

My thought is lighting as well, maybe stronger or longer light schedule

Do you have any softies? Leathers? If so, potentially, coral warfare and some activated carbon could be an easy solution

 

[Kingston]

My thought is lighting as well, maybe stronger or longer light schedule

Do you have any softies? Leathers? If so, potentially, coral warfare and some activated carbon could be an easy solution

I have had a couple of ricordia mushrooms. One just disappeared recently. No leathers. A few LPS...torches, blastos. Anyways I started activated carbon about 3 weeks ago and haven't noticed any change.

I am looking into the lighting after I am done par testing the whole tank

 

[Kingston]

Remember that your salinity will change slightly as temp goes up and go....you can map that with the apex then apply the TC value when you recalibrate your salinity probe

Do you do the TC on the apex?

 

[mikedrumm22]

I've seen it said a couple times but I think the whole "one day things just snap into place and work" is a weird but true mantra to go by. I literally didn't do anything drastically different and saw a huge increase in success, the additional flow certainly helped me along but I think the maturity of my tank just hit the right spot to support some more complex corals.

I'm planning a new build here over the next few months and plan on running the systems side by side for a while to build up some good biodiversity before moving corals / rocks from my current tank. Taking all the lessons I've learned about flow, managing major elements, filtration, etc. and applying them to my new tank.

This “mantra” in my opinion is just stability. Keep yo hands, chemicals, etc out the tank, and **** will just go. These animals don’t “want” to die; they just need sufficient flow, light, and nutrients. If you can provide that you good!