Carbon and gfo - Paling coral

[Reel North]

I have an sps reef, and have never run gfo or carbon on it up until about 6 weeks ago. The water is unbelievably clear now with carbon what I've noticed in the last week is that some of my sps has started to get a bit pale.

I have chaeto in my fuge, and put a small amount of gfo on. Chaeto isn't doing great either. Am I stripping too much out?

 

[billyzbear]

yes

 

[Usernam Invalid]

The gfo may be stripping too much. Why did you start using the carbon and gfo? What are your test results?

With the carbon clearing up the water it can increase light penetration providing additional par to coral that they may not be use to

 

[Reel North]

I started using carbon to see the difference, and it's huge, so I'd like to keep using it at least a week or 2 a month - runs 24/7 now.

I have gelidium and BA on my rocks. The gelidium is everywhere, and the BA is buried in the crevices of the pukani.

Don't ask lol. I figured the gfo and a pile of urchins would help. Urchins are actually eating it.

My #s are

Alk 8.5
Calcium 430
Mag 1280
Ph between 8.1 & 8.4
P04 registers .03 on salifert. Need more reagent for Hanna.

 

[billyzbear]

I've done what you have done before. Some will say 0 p04 is what you want. If you do get there sps will pale or stn.
Feed a lot of coral food and dial gfo back some.
red sea colors may help.
If you up your mag a little more you'll skim more. I shoot for 1300-1400.