SPS Losing tissue???

[coraltastic]

some of my sps are losing there tissue. they have been doing great. all levels are good. it all started when i bought a baby blue tipped acro frag, it started losing its tissue about the second day i bought it. the other 2 frags i bought at the same time and place look great. all others seem to be fine. now i noticed tonight that one of the first acros that i bought about 6 months ago (that had already incrusted) is starting to lose it tissue. what could be wrong???? the only thing i am doing different is i was dosing kalk. water and switched to useing 2 part. and i raised my alk up from 8.4 to 9.4 in about 2 weeks. please someone help me!!!!!!!!!!!!:sad1:

 

[coraltastic]

bump

 

[Znut Reefer]

What are you using for flow? And whats the temp? Any other changes recently?

 

[coraltastic]

i am using my return mag 7 and 2 korilla 4s one on each end. temp is around 80 to 84. nothing has changed besides what i listed. my calium was around 560 so i havent dosed any since i started the 2 part to try to get it to come down.

 

[Znut Reefer]

I don't think the high cal is the problem. Sounds like the temp changes could be the problem. I try to maintain my temp 78-79. Others may can chime in on keeping sps under higher temps. Can you add a couple more fans? Maybe one for the sump.

 

[coraltastic]

i might try that. anything else anyone can think of let me know

 

[ingtar_shinowa]

i would say the temp swings too. the highest i read people keeping their SPS at is 82 and supposedly that 'borderline' 84 seems really really high to me, as is a constant 4 point temp swing

 

[coraltastic]

looks like i might have to invest in a chiller

 

[coraltastic]

should i try to keep it a soild temp or just not go above 82? the temp goes down at night just during the day when the mh are on is when it is 82 to 84

 

[jsousa]

Temp fluctuation is bad but the absolute worst thing you could do to SPS is move alk quickly and since you changed your methods just recently I would look there. Are you sure about your reading? What brand test kit are you using for alkalinity?

Calcium probably wouldn't affect the SPS all that much(as long as there's enough) but it would affect the alk levels if there's too much. 560 does seem high although I wouldn't make any sudden moves. I would bring that down and continue to test alk and calc everyday until your readings stabilize.

Do you add Magnesium? Your Mag level should be around 1350. Do you dose anything besides the 2-part? And what brand of 2part do you use?

BTW, pics could help. Losing tissue is an subjective term.

 

[coraltastic]

i dose iodide once a week about 4 ml and strontium once a week about 3 ml. my magnesium is 1300 so i dont dose unless it goes down. how can i bring down the calcium? i use bulk reef 2 part only dosing alk no calcium part
i just took these photos sorry the actnics is the only thing on. the first one is a chalice it has lost over half of it tissue in just 2 days. the second is a unamed acro it still has a little tissue on the tips and the base but in the middle it has lost its tissue as well it has took it 3 days to look like this. it started on the lower right branch and now the hole middle is gone.

 

[ingtar_shinowa]

do you test for Iodine and Strontium?

 

[coraltastic]

sorry i guess u would like the pics duhhh

the chalice is blue and the acro is offwhite with blue tips or they are subpost to be

 

[coraltastic]

yes the iodide is usly .04 no matter how much i add and the strotium is around 6 to 7

 

[coraltastic]

sorry about the pic they aint very clear

 

[1DeR9_3Hy]

Before dropping $$$ on a chiller, try and change your lighting schedule or shorten it for the hot months and add a few fans for evaporate cooling. I dont know what time your lights come on now, but move it back to just after the peak of the days heat (4-5pm). Then keep the fans blowing on the surface of your tank and/or sump if you have one.

Id be willing to bet as long as your inside temps are not getting up to 90's you will be much better off. Just be prepared for the added evaporation that will occur.

 

[coraltastic]

i added a rotating fan infront of the reef and got the temp down to 78 and i already had 2 small fan seating on the back of the reef already. they blow under the lights. i am going to add a fan to the sump sunday. yah the evaporation is massive. i have a 6 gallon jug set up for a ato and it is getting sucked dry in 3 days. before i was using about 3/4 of a gallon a day.

 

[coraltastic]

i added a fan to the sump this weekend and got the temp down to 74 to 76 during halide hours and everything looks good no more tissue loss. thanx all. i got 20 new sps frags this weekend a local guy was breaking down a 300 gallon reef and he hooked me up. some are a little brown but hopefully they color up soon. he has been saleing out of the tank for 3 months know and everything getting destubed has made the corals a little sad. they have been in the tank since friday and placed since sunday. some has got decent pe and some are still looking a little under the weather. is there anything i can do or is it just going to be a wait and see game?