problem with sps

[mattvisocky2003]

I have had my tank running for 8 months now and have had constant problems with most of my sps for about 4 months.

Tank specs:
29g, 4.5g cpr fuge
70lbs LR
coralife needlewheel skimmer (I had a airstone powered Red Sea until about 5 nights ago)
150w Aqua Medic MH with 10k bulb (Still have my 14k phoenix but wanted to try this about 2 weeks ago)
Fluval canister filter with purigen and phosguard
3 powerheads running on red sea wavemaker
pH 7.7 (may be too low?)
dKh 4 (working on raising slo wly with ESV B-Ionic , newly bought)
Iodine .04
calcium 555
strontium very low 0-3 mg/L according to salifert test
magnesium very high over 1500 on salifert test
phosphate 0
ammonia 0
nitrite 0
i also add reef solution and DT's Phyto
I have many mushrooms, zoos, LPS, and my montis do great.

 

[nemofish2217]

what "problems" have you been having?

I would say, first of all, work on your alk(needs to be about 9-11 dkh IMO) and bring your calcium down just a little bit (450-475 range). Also, what are your nitrate levels?

How often do you do water changes?

However, i think your problem mainly lies in you alk....very important to have up....

 

[toothman]

I would probably change about 1/2 of the water to get your ca down and alk. up. With the ca this high it will drive the alk down. With a small sps tank like this it is hard to keep the parameters constant. But do not give up you can. If you do not want to change water, you should add baked baking soda ( baked at 350 degrees for a hour to drive off co 2, to keep ph up)
Salifert test kits work great. I would also consider some type of system to replenish ca and alk. Kalk, ca reactor 2 part mixture. or just baking soda and ca carbonate granules.

 

[mattvisocky2003]

I usually try to change about 10% every 2 weeks or so. I have never bought a nitrate test kit. Probably from the fact I am use to dealing with my planted tanks and don't worry too much about it. I will buy one today and check though.
The main problem with the acros is that they live for 2 weeks or more and slowly wither away. I have a couple bali colonies that have been in 3 months dooing fine and now one has spotted bleaching and another I had to frag to save. I have lost about 20 frags I received over the course of 2 months. I do have a bad purple hair algae problem i am fighting right now, could that hurt?
I am changing 50% water now.