SPS issues

[Miltonic]

Im having some issues keeping sps in my tank and i have no idea what im doing wrong, i tested for everything possible, my params come out perfect and cant seem to figure it out. Im thinking my lighting is way too strong for the tank i have atm or im having some temp swings thats what I kind pinpointed but im not sure so i need some help. Frags do great for a week or so then the tips ares burning up and turning white and then the frag gettign brown and loosing tissue slowly.

tank info

120g, 40b sump
2x400w mh
geo 612 Ca reactor
vertex royal exclusive 170 skimmer
closed loop for flow

mg 1350
Ca 480
Alk 11.5
phosphate 0.27

 

[James404]

Well I doubt it's too much light as you said, usually you would just get some bleaching.

To me I see that your Phosphate it too high (should be .03 or lower for SPS) alk is a little to high too, keep it under 11 and STABLE (8 or 9 would be sufficient).

 

[Miltonic]

yeah thats true omg how could i not realized i have my phosohate numbers messed up.

 

[Just Jim]

It's about the alk. If you're at 11.5 that's not the worst thing in the world. You can maintain 12-13 for a while without and major problems. The problem with sps is always the swing. It's gotta stay locked in at a certain number between 9-10 is where I try and keep mine. The tips turning white is a tell sign that it's probably your alk swinging on you. I run the geo 624 and it can change fast...

 

[Miltonic]

yeah the tips turning white is usually what happens first when i get a frag and then it goes downhill from there...

what should i do prevent those swings? i assumed from having a Ca reactor that it would keep it constant.

oh and i retested my phosphate they are at 0.02 according to my hanna meter, so im good i have no algae in my display so i dint think phosphates were the issue.

 

[Just Jim]

yeah the tips turning white is usually what happens first when i get a frag and then it goes downhill from there...

what should i do prevent those swings? i assumed from having a Ca reactor that it would keep it constant.

oh and i retested my phosphate they are at 0.02 according to my hanna meter, so im good i have no algae in my display so i dint think phosphates were the issue.

Something I'm currently dealing with. That's how I lost my $100 Dr. Mac clam.(ahem). Anyway, I just bought a hanna alk tester as my problem was with inconsistent readings from an API test kit. Dial it down a bit on the reactor, and monitor and adjust your dkh daily.

 

[Miltonic]

I lowered the drip rate a bit, hopefully it was enough and I hope I don't lose my clams. I didn't think alk was the issue since clams have been really doing great and getting big...

 

[Just Jim]

I lowered the drip rate a bit, hopefully it was enough and I hope I don't lose my clams. I didn't think alk was the issue since clams have been really doing great and getting big...

How are you measuring the dkh? I was reading 10dkh on my test kit, and when I bought a new one it was 13. Too high, too long, would do them in also.

 

[Miltonic]

I'm using my salifert test kit.

 

[bboudreaux]

i was having the same problem till i read somewhere about iodine. i dose 1tsp of tech I once a week in a 60g system. within a week of dosing my tips started growing skin back, and the encrusted base expanded in size. the colors of my lps inproved as well. i'm not saying this is what did the trick, but nothing else changed during that period of time. i wish i could remember where i read this, but i can tell it was a reputable source.

 

[Kappapibeta]

+1 on the high alk, white tips are a sign of high alk burn. it will lower itself naturally. You pretty much have to check alk and pH everyday, until you calibrate your reactor to keep it stable. If you can afford it, try to get a GFO reactor and run GFO to keep phosphates low. High phosphates will stop your SPS from growing.

 

[Miltonic]

I do have a gfo reactor running at the moment and a carbon reactor running as well, I also have a low tech algea turf scrubber going.

 

[Just Jim]

I also have a low tech algea turf scrubber going.

Nice! I don't need one, but always wanted to try it.

 

[Miltonic]

They are pretty awesome, I have no algae issues eddy since I started running it.

I'm gonna look into iodine dosing and I'm will be lowering my alk.

 

[Miltonic]

Any other input?

 

[Hnguyen85]

I stead of lowering your drip rate on your reactor. Try raising the ph setpoint on your controller. That has proven to be a more effective way to controlling your reactor. By reducing the drip rate but keep ph the same will only make your concentration higher has the drips come out. You want lower alk at the same rate not higher alk at lower rate. They kind of counter each other out if you do that. Best advise now would be to shut off your reactor until you get your alk to the levels you want then turn your reactor back on and adjust from there. I also run the same cal reactor as you and I only adjust by changing my set point on my controller. Bubble count and drip rate stays the same. 60bbm and 50ml per minute for drip. Good luck


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[rmalone]

I wouldn't use clams as a marker for how well sps will do. From my experience clams are WAY less sensitive to alk swings (and everything else) than sps.

 

[Miltonic]

thanks for the tips guys my alk is now 10, i lowered it over the last few days,im keeping the ph in my reactor at 6.75. any other things i shoudl watch out for?

i also tested phosphates and they been staying constant at 0.02.