Help with SPS Losses

[gatorrx98]

I have an established 180 that just doesn't do well with SPS. I am currently running 250 w Radiums.

My parameters are Cal: 490; NO3: 2 (Salifert Testing); Alk DKh: 9.0

I have plenty of LPS and softies, but my luck with SPS is limited. I have successfully grown a few SPS, but at some point something happened to cause me to lose all of my SPS. Since then, I have placed about 10 frags in at different times with little luck. I had my LFS test my water for heavy metals and nothing showed up. I'm really at a loss. I heard that there is a company that will allow me to mail in a sample for a full battery of testing. Does anyone have any recommendations. Right now, all of my fish, lps and softies look great.

I appreciate the input.

 

[allsps40]

How much flow do you have in the tank? How old are your bulbs? If you have a lot of LPS and softies you need to run carbon to remove the chems put in the water by the them. Corals do chem warfare. Do you have a good skimmer? Your phos is a bit high. Do you have fuge and or a phos reactor? What are your nitrates at?

 

[Alex T.]

allsps40, the op never listed phosphates.

OP, did you recently change salt mixes? An alkalinity swing can be the cause. You don't list how you supply calcium and alkalinity to your reef...two part or reactor?

Need that info to help. Also would be good to have an accurate phosphate reading and your list of fishes.

 

[mike_cmu04]

You could also have a pest issue that is killing the sps.

 

[gatorrx98]

I will test PO4 this evening. I am currently using Kent Turbo Calcium and Kent Super Buffer. I does Kent Mg weekly. I am currently running GAC and Purigen (which lowered my once high Nitrates (30) to nearly undetectable levels, 2).

The bulbs are only a few months old, still using the same salt mix, Coralife.

The fish include a Red Sea Sailfin Tang, Powder Blue tang, Blue tang, Kole tang, Foxface, 1 Green Chromis and a False Perc. I have a CB Shrimp, several pepermints and a Harlequin.

I have a fuge, but don't currently run my PO4 reactor, due to no current problems that I know of with PO4 (but I will buy a Salifert today and test tonight).

I don't really have a lot of LPS/Softies. I'm much more interested in establishing an SPS dominated tank....If I can get it going better.

I think I answered most of the questions. I REALLY appreciate the feedback.

 

[losthere]

How often do you do water changes?

Skimmer?

Would also look into source of nitrates rather than add something to absorb them. Also dosing pumps to keep cal and alk stable.

Hanna photometer would be the only accurate way to test PO4.