Sps going down hill- Zero answers : /

[john90009]

Ok so a few weeks ago my tank when through and alk swing which cause some corals to do the normal tip burn- alk went from 8.5 to 12 now its back down to 9.0.after this happened everything was good corals growing ok colors were amazing. Now for some reason the corals arent re-growing there tips and allowing a brown algea to grow on the tips. on my shades of fall one tip re grew im wondering why the others arent showing signs and your guys input on what i should do, and why theres brown algae only ont he tips of the corals. Ph 8.1 always it never fluctuates. calcium 420- alk 8.9 magnesium 1170. tank stays at 78 degrees. I run some carbon but not in a reactor so its just for cleaning the water. i run gfo just to keep phosphates down as low as i could get it- when i used to not run gfo my phosphates would be at .07 on a hannah. if you guys have any more questions i deff left out stuff please post it here.

 

[john90009]

 

[Atomikk]

It looks like everything should be fine. If you had dead spots on your corals, algae will be the first thing to grow on it. In time, you will have your coral regenerate in that area.

 

[john90009]

it is super wierd tho because on the hawkings theres flow on it however the brown algea is growing over the tissue ont hat one- like if i turkey bast it extra hard some of the algea comes off and looks liek theres still tissue. Also should i frag the miami orchid to a few tips and also the first stag?

 

[john90009]

and im still getting like zero polpy extension on the corals that were affected however some look like nothing was ever wrong.

 

[Atomikk]

They are still definitely in shock mode. Do you see any dead spots underneath the algae?

 

[john90009]

on the hawkings no the other corals yes lol obvious dead spots the orchid looks liek a gonner i think imma just throw that out : /

 

[LifeAquatic]

Thats really weird. I would start by raising the MAG a little. I keep mine at 1300-1400. If it falls below 1300 I start to notice problems with my SPS. Not sure at what point low Mag hurts calcium and alk uptake, but my corals respond negatively when its in the 1200 range.

 

[menthol]

Please check for stray voltage. If you have softies, they might be releasing toxins or something, more/frequent refills of carbon will help.

 

[LifeAquatic]

I meant when Mag is in low 1200 range. Nice pics by the way. You have some real nice peices.

 

[john90009]

im going to try upping the mag i think i always had it around 1250 with reef crystals- but reef crystals new alk was 13.2 and thats what shocked my corals so now im using tropic marines pro. I always thought magnesium affected the calcium nd alkalinity being able to stay stable and also coral color. Also there is no stray voltage- that was one of the first things that came to mind.

 

[john90009]

Thanks i just wish they arent looking like garbage so i can take pictures that have decent color : /

 

[LifeAquatic]

correct, it is very difficult to keep calcium and alk stable when Mag is low. I also think it inhibits the calcification of corals and coraline algees. JMO tho. I had the same problem with alk being to high lately from salt batches. Reef Crystals and h20 ocean pro both had really high alk. Either way I always sup mag and cal to my change water to match my tank. I dose two part every day so when my alk swings up from change water I stop dosing. Is that algee growing on the corals in the picture?

 

[john90009]

yes the agea is liek brownish its not detritist but kinda like diatoms and i dont have nitrates or nitrites only thing possible would be a tiny bit of phosphates but i just wanto see the corals re growing.

 

[saltywet]

Hmmm, I am actually battling this problem. The only I changed was from Tunze salt to Brightwell Salt. I still am fighting with algae problem.....waiting to get my Tropic Marin Pro Reef Salt too.

If I figure anything, I'll let ya know.

 

[GeoB]

I wasn't testing Mg for the longest time and it had drifted to 1050-1100. Same issues of browning, flucuating parameters, algea growing in dead spots. I adjusted parameters alk-9, Ca-450, Mg-1350+ over a 2 week period, and am seeing big difference in color and PE. In 3rd week and see noticable growth. My SPS have really perked up!!

 

[john90009]

What are you using to bump up magnesium- i checked it today and its 1140. What should i use to bump up magnesium.

 

[advaquatics]

I would try to bring your mag up to atleast 1245....

 

[advaquatics]

What are you using to bump up magnesium- i checked it today and its 1140. What should i use to bump up magnesium.

I use brightwell mag, when I do water changes the water I mix up is usually around 1045 and I then dose the magnesium and it brings it up to 1245..... When you do water changes, depending on the salt you use (IO,RC) you may have to dose it before refilling your tank....

 

[john90009]

I am now using tropic marins pro salt which should have a higher mag level then my tank but when i make new salt water im going to test the mag level in that again.