I've lost the touch

[reefmutt]

Now, that sand bed is at least 3 years old...
I would take it out.. its verging on too old to keep sps really happy..
What are your parameters these days- where is po4, no3, calc and mag?
That sinularia worries me a bit as well

 

[MarcWeaver]

After seeing this post, I may have the same problem. I have been driving myself crazy to try and figure out what is wrong for almost a year. My SPS survive (with problems) but don't thrive. I am super-OCD about water parameters and have my tank on dosing pumps with little to no change in mag/alk/calcium (9.2dKH, 420, 1400.) I have some cyano despite phosphates between .01-.03 (hanna ULR checker.) I run 1 1/2 cups of ROX carbon 24/7 changed every month. I also have a large piece of napthea leather. I wonder.......

Here is a pic.

 

[reefslugs]

Now, that sand bed is at least 3 years old...
I would take it out.. its verging on too old to keep sps really happy..
What are your parameters these days- where is po4, no3, calc and mag?
That sinularia worries me a bit as well

OK, tomorrow I will test it out completely. The one thing I think about is testing phosphate. I have ATI and Salifer test kits and they both show zero. But yet I have a little cyno and dinos. I asked a Friend of mine to bring over a Hanna phosphate tester. As far as the sand bed, last month I took out half of it. Last weekend, what was left in the tank, I cleaned it by siphoning. Also Knowing by taking out the sand, I know I'm also taking out bacteria. So I've been adding Brightwell MB7.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

holy smokes, Darrell

holy smokes, Darrell

is that a Merten's down at the far end?

Beautiful!

I'd stop worrying about SPS. Focus on what you're doing well!
IMO the absolutely most beautiful reef aquariums are loaded with swaying softies and lots of fishes.

 

[mc-cro]

I wouldnt put too much blame on the sinularia

I have had mine for about 10yrs, and I dont think it has every effected my SPS. I do run GAC 24/7 and I dont let it touch any sps.

here is pic of mine, you can see the tips of various sps poking into the picture

 

[Froggy]

mc-cro,
Well there is proof against that theory I do keep a sarcophyton without problem but have been afraid of sinularia. Your sinularia is beautiful.

 

[Mark]

The grass always seems greener on the other side. You have/had a tank with a thriving Bandit and Rock Beauty in a mixed reef environment. I'd trade an sps reef for that any day. Your anemone is amazing as well.

 

[reefslugs]

Is this also an sinularia?

 

[reefslugs]

is that a Merten's down at the far end?

You mean this thing?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

well ... now I KNOW it's NOT a Mertensii but a gig

Really... your aquarium is incredible. Why worry about SPS?
And yes- IMO/IME Sinularia has a substantial detrimental effect upon other corals in a closed system HOWEVER in your case... with all of those big active swimmers.. I would stick wth the softies.

 

[DopeCantWin]

Couple of thoughts. No water changes isn't the biggest deal. There are many SPS keepers who don't do them. SPS might not grow 5 inches a week, but it certainly doesn't die the day you put it in. Second thought, take your water to an LFS to get it tested. I've done this just in case. Turned out my Salifert Calcium test kit was about 60 off. If their tests agree with you, I would check 4 things. If there is some metal in the tank, electric current, enough oxygen and possibly Amino Acids. What's your feeding schedule like?