HELP Acropora White tips

[Capsle]

Hello Reefers,

I am having issues with the only SPS in my tank at the moment. I left for a business trip on Monday and everything was looking good and Parameters had been stable for a few months. Friday when I got home I noticed the tips of my Acropora were white and the base was turning white as well.

I use Kalkwasser in my ATO to maintain Alk and calcium. I am alsmot 100% sure I forgot to add kalk to my ato before leaving on Monday. and my skimmer wasnt skimming the way it normally does.

Previous Parameters (Last Saturday) VS Parameters Today

Sal 1.025 - 1.025
NO3 10 - 50
Alk - 9.3 - 8.6
CA 480 - 450
MG 1350 - 1300
P04 ' 0.03 - 0.25

ALK dropped and Nitrates and PO4 rose quite a bit. My question is what would cause my acropora to do this and how can I stop it? I will be doing a water change today.

 

[anthonys51]

HELP Acropora White tips

How long has the acro been in your tank. But it was the nitrates. 10 - 50 in a weekend is a huge jump Phosphates wouldn't kill your acro at only cause it to turn brown but that number isn't that bad. But my question is why such s big jump. Who was feeding your tank


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[anthonys51]

Ps great job listing your numbers and actually testing before and after. Too many people just state numbers are good


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[Capsle]

Thanks, my wife was feeding them while i was out of town.

Also, my skimmer wasn't skimming properly, I needed to adjust the gate valve yesterday.

EDIT: It has been in my tank for 3 months.

 

[ReefCowboy]

White tips on acros usually mean high alkalinity/alkalinity spikes. If it jumps from 8.3-9.3 constantly, you will see white tips happening on some more delicate acroporas.

 

[anthonys51]

It went from 9.3 to 8.6 in 3 days. That isn't that bad My advice is next time pre-portion some food for your wife to feed and feed half of what you normally feed


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[IvanTheTerrible]

My advice is next time pre-portion some food for your wife to feed and feed half of what you normally feed


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+1 to this. I always pre-portion my food when going out of town. I keep some in the freezer and use it when I'm at work longer than expected and need my family to feed the fish.

- Ivan