Problem ....

[clintau]

I having trouble with my aquarium....

My corals have not been happy ever since this macro algae showed up.

Can anyone tell me what it is and if it has affected any of their tanks.

All my water parameters are good. New bulbs. 65 Gallon Tank. 4-36"-VHO and 2-T5's.

My softies are doing ok (Green Toadstool, Green leather, xenia), LPS are doing fair (Frogspawn, Anchor), plate coral is still ok.

All my SPS's are dying...1st turned brown and now are bleaching out.

I am running carbon and phosphate absorbing beads. I have a skimmer and it is working fine.

2 clown gobies, 1 coral beauty, 1 clown and a what a call a sand sifting goby (orange 'spots' on white fish).

Any suggestions?

I also don't know how to get the photo in the post!

 

[gflat65]

What are your calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium? Nitrates and potentially nitrates would also be good to check.

 

[clintau]

0 nitrates. I will run the others in the morning because I can't remember the excact values.

 

[Mariner]

A pic and a description of the macro algae would be helpful
But the problem with your SPS is probably not directly related to the macro.
Calcium, alk and mag are definitely 3 values to check when SPS start going south. Also, I'm not sure what phosphate absorbing beads you are using, but there is some evidence that certain phosphate absorbers (those that are aluminum based I think) can harm SPS. Most SPS growers prefer GFO's for phos removal.
FWIW,
Mariner

 

[zaozao]

New bulbs could be your problem.

 

[jasontammy]

I agree with zaozao, new bulbs = more light than they've become accustomed to = corals bleaching and algae explosion. Anything bleaching, maybe move it lower in the tank until it gets used to the new bulbs?

Tammy

 

[wpecoul]

If you put in new phos absorbing media at the same time as the new bulbs, you might have thrown a double whammy on your corals - more light from the bulbs plus clearer water allowing more light transmission.

 

[clintau]

Mariner my phos test shows zero but ran phos buster pro for a week following directions...The phos absorber was something that I have had laying around a while. I put the beads in just about 1 week ago.

I haven't run the test on calcium....I have been trying to write a database query all day...

I will get the numbers for you guys.

 

[clintau]

zaozao new vho bulbs installed in June and july...only 2 at time t5 in may. I don't think it is to much high quality light that is the problem.

 

[clintau]

jasontammy:

my red birds nest bleached 1st and it is at the bottom. I have a green milli that reacted 1st by turning brown.

anymore thoughts?

 

[clintau]

I put some of that 'purple' reef expoxy in the tank. Has anyone had negative experiences with that?

I did a water change about a week later.

 

[Mariner]

I've read that Phos Buster Pro can deplete alk, which in turn can cause SPS to bleach pretty quick. I'm guessing that you'll see something in your calc, alk, mag or nitrate numbers that will explain the problems you're having.
FWIW,
Mariner

 

[NicoleC]

Also, any temp swings? A high temp can certainly cause bleaching.

 

[dave3112]

My money would be on the ALK. I used to have the same problem. I use reef crystals salt and the CA is high but ALK and MAG are always lacking. But Nicloe you are right temp can cause a problem in a hurry too.

Dave

 

[atlantisaquari]

sometimes using carbon all of a sudden and or more carbon than the tank i used to . the water clears and more light penetrates. and corals not adjusted can get stressed.

also you mentioned having 0 phosphates and using phosbuster pro. i hope not in that order as the directions say not to use if phosphates are like .5 or less or something like that. i am sure there is a reason for that . prob something to do with ph.

good luck, dave