Need help / what to do please

[Bhun456]

I am experiencing some STN on some acros and millies. Only two things that have been off are my refractomer was 2 points off and the lowest it ever got would be 1.023 but I'm leaning more towards the alk being a little low. I've added more sps frags in the past 6 months and alk was always around 8 on API test (not sure how accurate) so I ordered salifert and it has dipped down around high 6's to steady around 7 dkh. What do you think I should do? Salinity is now steady @ 1.025 and slowly raising alk but dips back to 6.8-7.2 every morning. Should I increase alk back to 8 or more? Thanks for any help!

 

[diciple]

Has the recession stopped or slowed? Check your other parameters also p04 nO3 i had similar issue with salinty get calibration fluid if don't have it.
If rtn has stopped just keep alk steady match water change prams to tank or slowly adjust .keep posted of your progress maybe a picture of affected corals and others may chime in happy holidays merry Christmas and long live your reef!

 

[Bhun456]

Parameters checked Sunday are

Calcium 420
Mag 1200
Salinity 1.025
Temp 78.1 - 76 rkl (think its 2 off)
Other therm matched 2 others
Phos? Ordering Hanna checker
Nitrate roughly 0 using IO reducer
Running BRS GFO

 

[Bhun456]

I increased alk dosing slowly and it looked like all stn progression stopped until yesterday it looks like a green Millie stn'ed just a little so I am going to try to bump the alk back up to 8 over the next week or two. Thanks for your help! Happy holidays!

 

[Bhun456]

 

[cumbeje]

I agree slowly increase ALK. Most important thing is stable conditions. Observing corals changes is better than testing especially since nobody tests everyday. At least I don't.

 

[Bhun456]

 

[Bhun456]

Hard to tell with camera phone but the green Millie just started getting a little worse today after beginning to heal about a week ago.

 

[Jcreefer1]

Do you see bite marks ? Check for AEFW........

 

[Bhun456]

I don't think its AEFW, nothing has been added for over 6 months unless it's possible they can be dormant ?

 

[ssscuz]

It will be your alk dropping below 6. Keeping it stable up around 8 is safer I have found. Gives u a point to drop if something goes wrong.

Phosphates may be high also if you have no checker.

Get the calibration fluid for calibrating your refractometer. I do mine befofe every test

 

[Bhun456]

Ok thanks, I have calibration fluid and got my refractometer back on point, and have a phosphate test but they aren't the most accurate, I'm going to order a Hanna checker and get it lined out. Thanks for everyone's help!

 

[russeko8]

Raising the alk a little slowly is a good idea. Also you may want to look at water flow it can cause the same type of issues.

 

[russeko8]

Also Birds nests in my experience are very touchy when it comes to alk swings