LPS Loser

[crabbyreef]

UGH! Outside of a Golden Torch coral (6 months old) and some zoas I am failing miserably with LPS (and SPS.) What the heck am I doing wrong?

Here are my stats:

Tank Size: Standard 90 gallon
Sump: 30 gallon (No refugium)
Setup: September 9, 2012
Light: Vertex SR260 36" LED panel
Chiller: JBJ 1/4 Horse
Skimmer:Bubble Magus NC7
Reactors: 2 cups BRS GFO changes monthly
Water changes: 5 gallons weekly with Aqua Vitro salt mix
Flow: 2 Vortech MP40's
Fish: Mystery Wrasse, Debellus Wrasse, Bi-Color Blenny, Sankey Pseudochromis, 4-Sapphire Damsels & 2-Snowflake Percula Clownfish.
Inverts: 5-6 Turbo Snails, 2-3 Emerald Crabs and 1-2 Peppermint Shrimp

Levels:
Temp: 78f
ALK (dKH): 7.2
CAL (mg): 350
MG (mg): 1125
PH: 8.33
SG: 1.025
PHOS (ppm): 0.00
NO3 (ppm): Between 2 & 5

 

[plasma327]

Thought I would share my parameters with you.
Water change, 20% IO reef crystals every month.
SG 35ppt
PH 8.1 to 8.3
MAG 1500 +
ALK 10DKH
CALC 500 +or-
AMMONIA 0
NITRITE 0
NITRATE 10PPM
PHOSPHATE 0.05
TEMP 77 + OR - 1 DEGREE CLOSE AS I CAN KEEP IT (I find all my LPS do much better @ 77 than 80 degree range)

These parameters are where my LPS tank looks and does its best. Let me know how you come along. Good Luck!

 

[Almondsaz]

Crabbyreef: depending on the other LPS you are keeping, the corals (like an acan which I collect) let you know when they are not happy with the water. I have always used as my go to guide an article by Randy Holmes-Farley regarding "Reef Aquarium Water Parameters" (a link for your review if you wish http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/ ) and reference it quite often when I feel my parameters are out of wack. On a quick look I would offer the following for you to check out based on the parameters your provided:

Alk is at 7.2 and the normal range is typical 7-11dKH, I try to stay around 9
CAL is at 350 and the normal range is typically 380-450 ppm, I try to stay at 400
MAG is at 1125 and the normal range is typically 1250-1350, I try to stay at 1300.

These three are key parameters and feed of each other. There are numerous articles on maintaining a balance between the three and how to best accomplish that. I also note that your PH is fine but you are at the upper end and that also impacts the "3" elements of ALK-CAL-MAG.

Thought I would provide the link to the balance article I use http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/

You are most fortunate on your phosphates to be at "0" and your salt is spot on.

I hope this helps. I am still learning about Reef Keeping and have been in it for a few years but until you get a situation to deal with that is the way we learn...so I have a long way to go. Don't give up - you can get this back on track fairly easily, this forum is excellent and everyone is here to help.

 

[Almondsaz]

Crabbyreef: after doing a little research on the salt you use it might be worth testing the next batch you make up for the ALK-CAL-MAG and PH. I have read some article which say some users are getting inconsistent results and low alk - but appears to be batch dependent. Others have no issue at all.

 

[crabbyreef]

Almondsaz & plasma327, Thank you for the replies. I do believe that the Aquavitro salt may in fact be a problem as when I was using Red Sea Pro my results were much better. It seems after I made the switch that things began going south. I am ready for another bucket of salt so I will more than likely switch back and see if my levels improve. This is a "catch-22" with my Ph being so high.