SPS Corals Losing Color

Here's a quick update for you all. I've not been running GFO and GAC and has been feeding a lot both fish and corals.

So far some of the corals are even more bleached while some are doing just fine.

My alkalinity had dropped from 7.5 to 6.5 over the past few days.
 
So I've had GFO and GAC off for a week now, I can't say I can see an improvement yet. Here are a few shots of the corals that are doing bad:

13967367519_64892c4de4_c.jpg


14154187444_3b16161129_c.jpg

And some that are doing better:

14130741486_259e01d68b_c.jpg


What do you all think?
 
And here's a little video overview to understand what I'm dealing with:

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/QsIptKVLFOc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
You've received some great advise already. I would just add that your system appears to be nitrate limited. That would explain why your phosphate continues to rise while your nitrate sits at zero. You might benefit from dosing nitrate to your system to get your system in balance. I have the opposite problem where my system is phosphate limited and I have to dose Brightwell Neophos. They make a similar product to dose nitrate.

Here are the results I got from pulling my GFO and feeding more and dosing Neophos:

zetysy5a.jpg


u9eguzyn.jpg


unyrydes.jpg



Also if your blues, purples and moni caps are washed out that's a symptom of low potassium. Salifert has a new potassium test kit that's very good.
 
I'd lean towards AEFW as well. You have mariculture plugs in there, and they are infamous for coming in on those types of coral.

What is your QT regimen or dipping regimen to ensure you don't get pests?

Take a turkey baster to the ones that are lacking in color and blow on them from several angles.

The lightening of the coral and poor coloration are two telltale signs of flatworms. I really hope you don't have them.
 
I would have to agree that's it's nutrients. I think a main thing to realize is that no matter what a totm levels are at that's not what every tank will do best at. Read your tank and make your conclusion based on that.

You should also rule out aefw ASAP. It's fairly easy to grab one of your trouble colonies and dip it to see what's on it.

Also if your only having issues with mari/wild colonies and your others are doing fine you shouldn't be changing anything fwiw. It's time and stability.
 
Dapg8gt said:
I would have to agree that's it's nutrients. I think a main thing to realize is that no matter what a totm levels are at that's not what every tank will do best at. Read your tank and make your conclusion based on that.

You should also rule out aefw ASAP. It's fairly easy to grab one of your trouble colonies and dip it to see what's on it.

Also if your only having issues with mari/wild colonies and your others are doing fine you shouldn't be changing anything fwiw. It's time and stability.
Click to expand...

I have looked closely at each one of the acros and I don't see any bites or any spots/eggs on any of them.

Yes, some corals are doing better than others and certain ones are doing quite well (green ones).

I also notice the same problem in my monti, so perhaps it is not AEFW? I'll try to blow anything off soon.
 
Well, I've had both GFO and GAC reactors off for 10 days now. I can't say that I am seeing any improvement.

My nitrates are still undetectable, although I feed corals every other day and fish get 5 feedings of pellets and frozen food daily (plus nori).

Chaeto has been changed from 19 hours to 14 hours photo period. T5 photo period is 6 hours 8 bulbs and 12 hours 2 bulbs.

Alkalinity is back to 7.8 from 6.5 over the last 4 days. I intend to gradually raise it higher.

What gives?
 
Did you try basting yet?

Patience helps too. Nothing good happens fast in this hobby.
 
dtum said:
Well, I've had both GFO and GAC reactors off for 10 days now. I can't say that I am seeing any improvement.

My nitrates are still undetectable, although I feed corals every other day and fish get 5 feedings of pellets and frozen food daily (plus nori).

Chaeto has been changed from 19 hours to 14 hours photo period. T5 photo period is 6 hours 8 bulbs and 12 hours 2 bulbs.

Alkalinity is back to 7.8 from 6.5 over the last 4 days. I intend to gradually raise it higher.

What gives?
Click to expand...

It could takes weeks or longer to recovers from over use of po4 removal IMO.
 
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