SPS struggles

Myka · #1 09-21-2009, 12:52 AM

I don't think this will solve your troubles, but you could try using smaller amounts of carbon, and changing it out more often, like every 2-3 weeks. Your magnesium is a tad low too - should be 1350-1400 ppm.

Are there any maintenance things you do every 3 weeks or so since you're noticing the algae issues at that interval? Not necessarily immediately before the algae issue since it could take time for the corals to react.

plutoniumJoe · #2 09-21-2009, 01:23 AM

I had a similar problem. All parameters seemed OK but I was using a float style salintiy test. When I measured with a refractometer I found that I was up around 1028-1029. Once I brought it down everthing came back and the corals overgrew the algae tips.

Joe

mseepman · #3 09-21-2009, 01:40 AM

Hmm...interesting suggestions, thank you for the advice.

Myka, I will try to do the Carbon changes more often. I don't actually use that much in the reactor, maybe 3/4 cup of HC Carbon. As for things that co-incide with the issues...not really...the timing is just an approximation of how long it takes to go sour.

As for my salinity...I do have a hydrometer but I use a refractometer and have done so for about a year now. I will look into re-calibrating it just in case but I have a second tank (a nano) that doesn't have this problem with acros that I measure with the same refractometer.

Could my problems be somewhat related to having softies in the tank? Maybe more carbon, more often will take any possible toxins out better. I would think that if this was the issue, the other SPS would show the problem, but they don't.

I will try to up the Mag some and also do more water changes in case my Nitrates are the issue. Has anyone had good luck with the nitrate destroyer from Tailor aquatics?

christyf5 · #4 09-21-2009, 01:50 AM

I found that whatever you have the least of (softies/LPS/SPS) will be most affected by the major population. I had a couple of softies in my tank when I was starting to really get into SPS. Both were doing poorly and were relocated to another tank. After that, the softies did fine and the SPS did much better. I found even running carbon that I had problems. However, this was before I discovered the brilliance of running carbon in a reactor.

I would try Myka's suggestion of smaller amounts of carbon changed more often. Overuse of carbon in large amounts can cause problems for SPS as well.

mseepman · #5 09-21-2009, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christyf5

Overuse of carbon in large amounts can cause problems for SPS as well.

Is this because too many of the nutrients that they feed upon are taken out of the water?

Myka · #6 09-21-2009, 02:29 AM

If you're considering TA's Nitrate Destroyer check out Vodka dosing, which is essentially the same idea - provide a carbon source.

I would also up the water changes. I have found that 20% every 2 weeks works better than 10% every week, but that's just my tank. Try playing around with that a bit, and see what you can achieve. People under estimate the Power Of The Water Change!!

I wouldn't be surprised if your softies are affecting the SPS...your leather is quite large. Mixed reefs are much more difficult than dedicated tanks.

fencer · #7 09-21-2009, 03:38 AM

Change your carbon every 30 days and back off your GFO...use it when you need it as for me I use it when my PO4 spikes, very rare for it to do that. If it were the softies the whole corals would be dying and not just the tips. Increasing the water changes should offset the nitrates. What is the temp of the tank?