phosphate issue??

[CUZ]

I'm trying to figure out the source for my slow stn headaches. Most pieces are growing strong but once a week for the last 2 months 1 colony at a time will start to stn on me. All pieces that began to stn were removed/fragged and inspected for pests and fresh water dipped to try and see if anything came off. All stn has started at the base and worked outwards slowly over the course of a week.
Out of all the tests don phos is the only one that is out but I'm not sure it would cause the problem???
Sg 1.024
N3 0.5 (elos)
Mg 1350 (elos)
Alk 8.5 (hanna)
Cal 425 (hanna)
Phosphate 0.31 (hanna)

any thoughts??

 

[LAKEM0NSTER]

hey CUZ, you definetly have a nitrate & phosphate problem. Could you post some info on your system and your maintenance schedule (waterchanges).

 

[Alex T.]

.31 phosphate in a reef tank is pretty strong. If that's accurate, I'd be starting a GFO changing routine.

 

[sahin]

Whilst the PO4 and NO3 (especially PO4) can be worked on, I wouldn't say they are responsible for your STN issues. -Those two usually cause SPS to brown out.

What methods of filtration do you employ or have employed on this tank?

Eg:

1. Do you utilise Carbon dosing (Vodka, Pellets) etc?
2. Do you use GAC? If so, what brand?
3. Do you use a Phosphate remover? If so, what brand?
4. Is your Alk always stable?
5. Have you verified your Alk and SG measurements with another reefer or set of test kits?

 

[CUZ]

470g dt
135g sump
40g frag tank plumbed in
2 Vertec IN-280's
2 MP-60's
4 Mp-40's
prolifux 4 head doser

-I have been changing 100g a month through out the month
-I havn't set the doser up yet (havn't noticed big enough swings to need it imo)
-the tank was transfered from an established 300g 3 months ago (bare bottom)
-I used to dose vodka on the old tank but havn't on this one yet
-I don't yet run any gfo or phos bonding additives

 

[downbeach]

Have you confirmed your reading with another tester? With your PO4 that high, I think you'd see your sps turning brown.

 

[CUZ]

Have you confirmed your reading with another tester? With your PO4 that high, I think you'd see your sps turning brown.

First I used the elos kit i had which does nothing!!lol then i went and bought the hanna checker which gave me this reading. I think its accurate only because when I transfered tanks I added alot of dry base rock to the new tank without soaking it first. I thought a phosphate reading of .3 would wreak havoc on my colour and algae but shouldn't start stning my sps??

 

[REEF SMAC]

Your PO4 is pretty high up there for SPS. Really suprised you don't have algae issues.
Are you sure your temp and salinity are correct? Have you checked those against something else?

What kind of lighting are you using and how old are the bulbs?

Could be just stress from the recent tank transfer. Sometimes colonies just don't like to be moved or just react badly to their new spot.

Frustrating I know.

 

[CUZ]

Your PO4 is pretty high up there for SPS. Really suprised you don't have algae issues.
Are you sure your temp and salinity are correct? Have you checked those against something else?

What kind of lighting are you using and how old are the bulbs?

Could be just stress from the recent tank transfer. Sometimes colonies just don't like to be moved or just react badly to their new spot.

Frustrating I know.

just picked up a refract, I was using the old swing arm, I showed that my salintity was low (1.020) but that was corrected slowly about 1 1/2months back. I picked up a new thermometer two days ago to compare to the digital one and they are within a degree of each other.
The new tank is running 10 AI sol blues at a maximum of 60% so far, this was coming from 6-250 watt halides on the old tank.
For now I'm going to step up water changing and find a gfo reactor I think. Then maybe do some nightly testing and get the doser back on line followed with good ol vodka again.

 

[dan-in-gr]

Try bio-pellets, they take up to 2 months to fully kick in but worth it and zero maintenance. Vodka is for drinking. I would go nuts having to remember to put in a daily dose of vodka and the constant checking. With bio-pellets I have consistently 1 ppm nitrate with large fish and two daily feedings.

 

[CUZ]

Try bio-pellets, they take up to 2 months to fully kick in but worth it and zero maintenance. Vodka is for drinking. I would go nuts having to remember to put in a daily dose of vodka and the constant checking. With bio-pellets I have consistently 1 ppm nitrate with large fish and two daily feedings.

I run my vodka off the 4th head on the prolific so its really not to difficult. Plus its a great conversation started when non hobbiests check out the tank! LOL

 

[CUZ]

Try bio-pellets, they take up to 2 months to fully kick in but worth it and zero maintenance. Vodka is for drinking. I would go nuts having to remember to put in a daily dose of vodka and the constant checking. With bio-pellets I have consistently 1 ppm nitrate with large fish and two daily feedings.

I run my vodka off the 4th head on the prolifux so its really not to difficult. Plus its a great conversation started when non hobbiests check out the tank! LOL