All parameters in checked ..SPS not happy.

[wackie1wackie]

Now that I've got all of my water parameters in acceptable ranges. Yet my sps still browned out. They'll stay nice and healthy for about a week or so then slowly turned brown. Growth is still decent but the colors aren't just what they used to be. I test the following on a daily basis.

Nitrate 3ppm
Po4 0ppm
Alk 7-8
Cal -380
Sg 1.025 w/refractometer
Tons of flow x 20-30 turnover

 

[Deputy1234]

If your nutrient levels are fine then it could possibly be the lighting. Could you list the type of light and the size of the tank. Also, type of bulb(s) and how old they are.

 

[wackie1wackie]

Yup forgot to add my lighting. I have a T5HO 38w x 6 bulbs. 2 Actinic, 2 daylight, 1 pink, 1 50/50.

 

[wackie1wackie]

Po4 and nitrate are where I want them to be. However is it safe to say these two parameters can precisely register how much nutrient is in the water? The reason I asked is because I notice muck/cruds in the bottom glass panel. And yes I'm BB

 

[LifeAquatic]

What type of corals are browning Wakie? You check for pest?? Red bug, AEFW? I recently had two acros go brown on me over a month. Couldnt figure it out as all my other corals were good and tank is stable. After dipping my acros I found the worst.. Giant AEFW!! They slowly sucked the life out of two acros. The whole time I thought it was me. Turns out it was just pest in my tank.

 

[sahin]

Is your phosphate actually zero? My sps frags all turned brown after putting them in the tank. Even after I allowed time for getting used to my tank etc, they werent colouring back up. Only after I added Phosphate remover and used vodka to reduce both nitrates and phosphates as low as possible, did the corals start to colour up again.

You need to get pretty low nutriend levels to get good colour. Of course lighting, flow etc must also be good in hte first place anyway.

 

[wackie1wackie]

What type of corals are browning Wakie? You check for pest?? Red bug, AEFW? I recently had two acros go brown on me over a month. Couldnt figure it out as all my other corals were good and tank is stable. After dipping my acros I found the worst.. Giant AEFW!! They slowly sucked the life out of two acros. The whole time I thought it was me. Turns out it was just pest in my tank.

I keep a pretty keen eye on pest due to previous infestation in another system. Found none so far which is a great relief to say the least.

 

[wackie1wackie]

Sahin
I test with Salifert everyweek. The color registered 0 when compare to the color chart. I do have a phosban reactor and vodka at my disposal if need be. My primary concern could be my T5 perhaps it's time to replace the bulbs.

 

[aurora]

Check your Magnesium...

 

[Shakes]

You did not mention the pH and your calcium tested 380. If the pH is low then raise the calcium (above 400) and also consider adding magnesium if it is an older tank or your salt mix was lacking. If this is a new tank then it could be adjusting to the new lighting.