effects of low nutrients?

[jjoos99]

What would the effects be on corals if my system is in the ultra low nutrient range? My sps corals have nice coloration but I have been having issues that I havent been able to correct. I dont seem to have good polyp extension and my growth rate has greatly slowed down. In the past I have been experiencing stn on the base of both acros and millis and just about forget trying to keep montis. I have had some issues with alk in the 11 range which I have thought was causing my problems. Dropping that level down to the 8-9 levels and still not much change. I have very little algae growth with even bubble algae dying off (good thing). No cheato growth in sump. I skim very aggressive and have mangrooves along with a rdsb. I am beginning to think that some of my issues might be due to my tank being too clean. I dont supplement with anything.
sal. 1.026
temp 79
alk 8.6
cal 430
ph 8.2
any suggestions are appreciated. Should I possible start adding aminos or cut back on some of the skimming?
thanks
Jeff

 

[edsreef]

What are your NO3 and PO4 levels?

 

[jjoos99]

On my test kits I always get 0 readings. I would think if I had a problem with nitrates or phosphates I would be seeing algae issues. The worst I get is a small film of the front glass after maybe a week and a few dime size patches of black slime algae here and there inside the tank. I have read different posts on vodka and uln and thought that that might be my issue.
thanks
Jeff

 

[stoneyj33]

I tend to see the best growth when alk is between 9-9.5. I also notice better PE.

 

[sowellj]

are you dosing a carbon source?

 

[Finland]

From the description of your tank parameters, it sounds just like mine. I was having the same issues of poor pe, slow growth, random stn, then I started feeding heavier and made an extra effort to keep my alk as stable as possible at 8-8.5. Took awhile but helped alot. I do run bio pellets and my N04 stays close to 0 and P04 stays at 0, even with the heavier feedings.

 

[ozzyvega]

I had same issue started feeding heavier. Helped tremendously. Running a ulns's pourpose is so u can feed heavily but still keep low trate and phos levels. Just try increased feedings. When I did pe got much better stn/rtn stopped. I also had low fish stock. Maybe add a fish or two.

 

[smtank]

Always check for Red Bugs, when PE and coloration is diminished, and those little buggers are very hard to see with the naked eye. Also if you do indeed have a UNLS, using carbon dosing or bio-pellets beware of alk above 8.

 

[jjoos99]

I dont dose with any carbon. Sounds stupid but I think that I am over filtering the water with my different filtration methods. I could feed more. Right now I might have a dozen fish and feed 2 frozen qubes once a day.
thanks
Jeff