SPS newly question

[Treebeard]

I estimate the lights are running at 100% for around 3 hours per day.

[Aquattro]

If it were my tank, I'd do a water change big enough to cut the NO3 by 25% minimum. The PO4 is suspect with a NO3 reading that high. Alk is a bit on the low side, I'd raise that to over 3.00.
Lastly, I'd raise the temp to 78-79. I've found that the growth rate increases dramatically at 79 over 75, and without enough growth, you won't get the corals healing any damage quickly enough, so exposed tips could start growing algae, and downhill from there.
So even if you fix everything else, the corals are still in danger from the existing damage. Elevated PO4 will also slow growth, so double check that with a hanna if possible.

[Treebeard]

I do 20% water changes every two weeks. I suspect that I have been over feeding but it has not been an issue for my existing lps but since I added the SPS I have cut back on the grub.

Raising the temp is easy enough. I have been cooling the sump by running a fan across the surface because I thought the high temps were contributing to the film algae on the glass.

Perhaps I should make this weekends water change a big one?

[Aquattro]

If you can, I'd do a 50% change. That will impact the NO3. The temp will contribute to the film algae a bit, but it's there for mostly the same reasons as the brown is in the corals.
That should clear up a bit once the other issues are settled.

I feed quite heavily (I guess that's subjective ) and don't have issues, so more of a nutrient management process. A great skimmer helps. Maybe smaller more frequent feeding? Or, if you're really dumping it in, back it off a bit.

[Treebeard]

I definitely don't dump in the food, actually the reverse. I contribute the high nitrates from the eels appetite for frozen shrimp. Having some buyers regret over that purchase, especially after he took a huge chunk out of a coris wrasse and my neon goby dissappeared. Ever since I make sure he is well fed, every three days.

[Aquattro]

What kind of skimmer do you run?

[Treebeard]

Vertex In180

[reefwars]

how are you testing phos to get an absolute zero??

[Treebeard]

Salifert. I will retest tomorrow.

Originally Posted by reefwars

how are you testing phos to get an absolute zero??

[Treebeard]

You mean one of these?

Hanna

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Elevated PO4 will also slow growth, so double check that with a hanna if possible.