My acropora coral isn't doing well...
- Thread starter abacabb
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carloschali
New member
How old has your reef been established? Do you have any other acros? How long have you had this acro?
Acroporas tend not to do well in tanks less than 6 months old imo
Acroporas tend not to do well in tanks less than 6 months old imo
reef
reef
Definitely less than 6 months. But it's cycled nicely already and has the red/purple calcified algae growing all over. My nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, and PH are always at the perfect levels.
This is my first acro and I've had it over a month.
reef
Definitely less than 6 months. But it's cycled nicely already and has the red/purple calcified algae growing all over. My nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, and PH are always at the perfect levels.
This is my first acro and I've had it over a month.
I'd say that the most important tests you need to consider are temp, salinity (Use a Refractrometer), Alk, Mg, Ca, and Phosphates when it comes to sps. Make sure to use quality test kits like ELOS, Sailfert, and there are a few others. I haven't had good luck with the API test kits.
Any major fluctuations in any of the readings could cause rtning or stning of the sps corals. Phosphates you want to keep as low as possible and check your RO/DI water with a TDS meter. If your using the LFS or an outside source for RO/DI water you could be putting phosphates and other problem elements in your system. I used to use RO/DI water from 3 different LFS's in the area, until one of my reefing buddies told me to test it with a TDS meter. Turns out all of them needed to change out their media and I was just using tap water. There was one LFS whose water was within acceptable levels, but still had a reading on the TDS meter. I went out and finally spent the $200 after 2 years of halling around 30 gallons every week from the LFS on a good RO/DI system from BRS.
Good luck and hope this helps
Any major fluctuations in any of the readings could cause rtning or stning of the sps corals. Phosphates you want to keep as low as possible and check your RO/DI water with a TDS meter. If your using the LFS or an outside source for RO/DI water you could be putting phosphates and other problem elements in your system. I used to use RO/DI water from 3 different LFS's in the area, until one of my reefing buddies told me to test it with a TDS meter. Turns out all of them needed to change out their media and I was just using tap water. There was one LFS whose water was within acceptable levels, but still had a reading on the TDS meter. I went out and finally spent the $200 after 2 years of halling around 30 gallons every week from the LFS on a good RO/DI system from BRS.
Good luck and hope this helps
Sisterlimonpot
Premium Member
From the picture it looks like you have a coral that is STNing (Slow Tissue Necrosis). Which is usually an indication of an alkalinity swing or too low calcium and alkalinity which (as mentioned) may be due to low magnesium. With this being your first SPS coral you can chalk this up as a learning experience. I suggest getting the big 3 (alkalinity, calcium and magnesium) test kits and start testing. With you not testing alkalinity it's going to be hard to determine a swing in parameters but not all is lost, you have a good chance of recovery once you determine the parameters you can make slow adjustments to get things back in range. The hardest thing is if your alkalinity is really low you'll have to be careful not to go fast with raising it up with sodium carbonate because it will dramatically raise your PH along with it (You can use sodium bicarbonate and it won’t raise it).
The best thing to do is that once you test your parameters, post back here to get some input on what to do.
Good Luck
The best thing to do is that once you test your parameters, post back here to get some input on what to do.
Good Luck
