Sps burning at base

[jverna1]

I dont understand why my sps corals are in effect burning at the base. My parameters are all good.

salinity 1.025
Ca 430
Mg 1350
Nitrates 0
Phosphates low
Temp 78-79
Alk 9.3
pH 8.58-8.35

I dose pohls xtra, coral vit. strontium 3 times a week and iodine twice a week.
I started using ecobak biopellets 3 weeks ago. I dont think my water is so clear its now burning them because I even put some sps on the bottom and its still happening. Very frustrated!!!

 

[mike_cmu04]

do you test all those things you add to your tank? If you are doing weekly water changes you should not have to dose all that. Also what kind of lighting and how old are the bulbs and what kind of flow do you have on the corals?

 

[jverna1]

I do 15% water change every 2 weeks with brightwell salt. I have a 180 gallon tank with 75 gallon sump, 250 watt 14K metal halides. Bulbs are about 6 months old. 2 Vortech MP40's. Plenty of flow.

Should I stop dosing all that stuff and just do weekly water changes?

 

[jverna1]

I do not test the strontium and iodine. I dose less than they recommend.

 

[sreefs]

How long is the tank setup? How old is the rock and what is on the bottom BB or sand or crushed coral? What do you us to test phosphate?

 

[myaerica]

I woulden't say 2 mp 40's in A 180 is plenty of flow. I have pretty good flow in my 180 and I have 2 mp40's and 4 moded maxi jets. Flow may be an issue.

 

[neoalchemist74]

Are you running a phos removal media?

 

[rogerwilco357]

i had the same problem then i thought it was the flow then the lights finally i found the problem at the base where it was white there was a brown spot i checked with a loupe and it wasn't flesh but eggs and that lead to flat worms and now i am dealing with it..check for pest , you might catch them early ..

 

[M007]

After you rule out pests take a look at your flow. The bottom and underside of acro colonies need good water movement as much as the middle and tops. Stagnation = Die off. When a colony starts off it grows according to its enviroment. Move it and everything changes.

 

[flamron]

Phosphates low - how low? What tool used to measure?

6000gph too much in a 180? Hardly. I'm pushing almost 11000gph in my 4' 120 and still need one or two more MP40s.

You need to start testing for ANYTHING you are adding to your tank. I don't add anything to my tank - zip, nada, zilch. I run a Calcium Reactor and do 1.5G water changes daily. Don't overcomplicate things - stick to basics.

How are you dosing Alk/Ca? How much daily do you add of each? If you are swinging your alk too much daily, this could also cause STN.

 

[jverna1]

I test phosphates with an api test, which sucks. I know. I have to get a better test. Too much $$$. What lower price tests do you recommend?

I was running a phosban reactor but when I started with the ecobak pellets I have read that you should stop using phosban. I have a refugium with chaeto also.

Some of the corals are in a high flow area and they are still having problems.

I was thinking maybe flatworms. What is a loupe?

I have a geo calc reactor. I dont dose for alk since my alk has stabilized at 9.4. It was at 12. I still dont really understand the whole pH, Alk, and Ca thing.

I am not an expert at any means. I have been in the hobby for a year and a half now. I have learned the hard way already. This site is alot of help. I really appreciate the input.