GFO effecting tank in a negative way? SPS/color?

[Brent Thomann]

Do you think I'm effecting my tank at all in a negative way for using a lot of GFO full time?

I have phosban reactor150 filled with GFO (by Bulk Reef Supply) that I run full time, total water volume of 260 gal. Been using it for a couple years now this way (replace ever 3 months). I'm wondering if its effecting the color at all on my sps mainly acros. I can never get them to hold their color 100%.

here's info on my setup-
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1225733

My nitrates are always around 5 which is another possibility.

Thank you very much,
Brent

 

[lobstergrabber]

I would think that since the GFO has been running for 2 years it should not effect anything. If anything would make colors better. With nitrates around 5 I really don't think that would be the culprit either. Are you adding anything to the water for coral food are target feeding? Maybe you could benefit from doing so if not.

Rich

 

[packer]

A big batch of fresh GFO can drop alkalinity some and might shock the corals. Doubt it is having any direct effect in a negative, only a positive due to phosphate control. Maybe re look at your lights, K value and watts?

 

[Brent Thomann]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12164911#post12164911 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lobstergrabber
I would think that since the GFO has been running for 2 years it should not effect anything. If anything would make colors better. With nitrates around 5 I really don't think that would be the culprit either. Are you adding anything to the water for coral food are target feeding? Maybe you could benefit from doing so if not.

Rich

I don't target feed my sps and dose only Iodide, Mag, Strontium.

What would you suggest target feeding them?

as far as lighting, I know some of the corals I added came from almost identical lighting and they still browned out after a month or so. I'm mostly using 12k HQI 250w Coralvue Reeflux's with VHO supplementing. Also using in frag tank 14K HQI 250w Phoenix.

I also finished up a heavy sequence of dosing Interceptor a couple months ago thinking I maybe had some bugs bothering them but no changes.

 

[packer]

I would stop the iodide, and unless you test for strontium, would stop that also for awhile.

I feed Reefroids, TLF Zooplankton, DT'S Oyster eggs, Marine snow and frozen H2O Life cyclops, rotifers and Coral food. Only a small portion of one or two of these every couple of days. I feed about one hour after the lights go off and also stop the skimmer for 20 minutes.

Are your bulbs old and maybe have lost some par value? I would think they would have to be at least a few years old to really make your SPS brownout. Its just a thought.

I assume you also check and dose Ca and Alk, just that you said you only dose I, Mg and Sr so wanted to clarify that.

What about polyp extension?