Slow LPS deaths

[Rockster2599]

Hi All,
Ive got a bit of a puzzle, I have a small LPS tank that on the whole (coral agression aside) is doing pretty well. My Acans and blastos on the whole are doing really well and my clams seem to be doing well and growing.

Certain corals however fail to thrive I did have a number of chalices which faded away, and a couple of prizm type favias and more recently a symphillia which just gradually peel away from their skeleton.

This has been happening for over a year and the deaths take several months. obviously over that year there have been fluctuations in parameters, 2 seoarate lighting systems and many other changes. Its not a huge problem as the corals I have thrive but any new additions seem to be a coin toss as to whether they thrive or die.

Anyone have any suggestions?
Im happy to give current params but as mentioned there has been some fluctuation over the 18 months.

 

[Rockster2599]

Anyone?

 

[Whiterabbitrage]

Following...

 

[haze152]

Have you done a high end phosphate test?

 

[greech]

Some chalices don't acclimate well to new tank if they are freshly cut (not sure if that is your case).

If you don't keep track of your mag, i would suggest that 1st. I can always tell when my mag is low as most of my LPS are not nearly as puffy. Obviously alk and Ca should be kept up as well.

Too much light and flow would be my next concern.

Are the acans and blastos corals that you have had for a while?

 

[Rockster2599]

Have you done a high end phosphate test?

Thanks for the response.
I do the D-D Merck test, over the last few weeks it has been between 0.08 and 0.04ppm. Over the course of the last year there have been some spikes but for the most part it gets to about 0.1 then I bring it down.

 

[Rockster2599]

Some chalices don't acclimate well to new tank if they are freshly cut (not sure if that is your case).

If you don't keep track of your mag, i would suggest that 1st. I can always tell when my mag is low as most of my LPS are not nearly as puffy. Obviously alk and Ca should be kept up as well.

Too much light and flow would be my next concern.

Are the acans and blastos corals that you have had for a while?

I have had the Acans for a good while, probably as long as everything else. The blastos less time, what confused me is that the acans are lovely and puffy and colourful. Some of the chalices were frags but some were intact.

The Mag is currently at 1300, when I first started to lose chalices someone suggested that I raise Mg (which tends to drop to 1200) to 1500, it has even been over 1800 when I was treating bryopsis a 9 months ago. When I raised Mg it slowed the recession but didnt stop it:-

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2204016

The alk is at a steady 9.6 and Ca about 420. I would hesitate to put it down to the lights and flow as half the corals looks great (acans particularly).
Im baffled.

 

[Rockster2599]

Fresh Test results in this morning:-
SG 1.025
pH 7.7
Kh 9.6
Mg 1260
Ca 420
No3 0.5
PO4 0.06

Nothing too surprising for early morning results, I will bring the Mg up to over 1300.
One thing that occurred to me, do I run my reef too cold? Its at 24 degrees, mainly because my lighting used to raise the temp (to 26-27) but my LEDs dont so its been at a steady 24?

 

[greech]

That is a little on the chilly side. Try bringing it up slowly to 78.

Funny how temp often gets overlooked. I know I do. Hope that solves the issue.

 

[Rockster2599]

That is a little on the chilly side. Try bringing it up slowly to 78.

Funny how temp often gets overlooked. I know I do. Hope that solves the issue.

Thanks Bud, I hope so too. Otherwise I'm stumped.