SPS remains bleached long-term. Solution? (pics)

[iwishtofish]

Its happened to more people then just you, just be happy the thing is still alive and look at it as a learning experience. :bounce2:

Thanks again for your help. I started with dry rock, MB7, and a raw shrimp. It took a good while for the "real" cycle to happen.

Your problem is that you don't have enough nutrients in the systems (zooplankton). The cause of your problem is excessive carbon and gfo use. Cut these back and keep your magnesium, calcium, and alkalinity in the correct range. You should see signs of improvement in several weeks to months.

There is not really too much to debate here IMO.

I will do my best to keep levels good. I'll also likely cut back on the gfo and carbon, at least until I see algae problems. Thank you

 

[lolgranny]

Thanks again for your help. I started with dry rock, MB7, and a raw shrimp. It took a good while for the "real" cycle to happen.



I will do my best to keep levels good. I'll also likely cut back on the gfo and carbon, at least until I see algae problems. Thank you

I would def take off the GFO till you need it, if you ever do. Ive been thinking of taking mine offline to see the results in coloration / overall health of the corals.

As for carbon i dont see the need to take that off.

 

[allsps40]

Not specifically. I do run carbon and gfo, but I don't dose a carbon source. I have no fish, so I feed meaty pellets minimally to keep inverts alive (no algae).

Add some fish and a can promise you will start to see your sps color up. With no fish and only inverts there is not much food in the water for the sps. Corals indirectly feed on fish poop and the nutrients in the water it creates. I would not take the GFO off line instead run a small amount.

 

[iwishtofish]

I would def take off the GFO till you need it, if you ever do. Ive been thinking of taking mine offline to see the results in coloration / overall health of the corals.

As for carbon i dont see the need to take that off.

Add some fish and a can promise you will start to see your sps color up. With no fish and only inverts there is not much food in the water for the sps. Corals indirectly feed on fish poop and the nutrients in the water it creates. I would not take the GFO off line instead run a small amount.

I really wish I had a low-range PO4 meter like the Hannahs, although some argue they are no better than Salifert. I think I will continue to run the phosphate reactor with a small amount when I acquire fish.

My valida is very nearly white. Still a slightly purple rim where it's growing at the base. Flow is powerful. I have to wipe the glass maybe every 4 or 5 days now, I guess. Still lots of copopods and amhipods (some huge). Pineapple sponges are starting to grow, as well as some new featherdusters. Must have some nutrients, then, right?

 

[DustinB]

You could try something like coral frenzy for a few weeks and see what happens. Now that I'm feeding my fish more I'm starting to see color come back. I was feeding pellets every 3 days or so, now I'm feeding Rod's food daily.

If you take a look at nearly all the TOTM's, they have a ton of fish in the system. It's not really about having some NO3 or PO4. Ideally you want 0, but you need fish poop or zooplankton in the water column to feed the corals. One tank for example, John Coppolino has something like 30? fish in his 180 and feeds a few times a day. His coloration and growth is among the best out there.

 

[iwishtofish]

You could try something like coral frenzy for a few weeks and see what happens. Now that I'm feeding my fish more I'm starting to see color come back. I was feeding pellets every 3 days or so, now I'm feeding Rod's food daily.

If you take a look at nearly all the TOTM's, they have a ton of fish in the system. It's not really about having some NO3 or PO4. Ideally you want 0, but you need fish poop or zooplankton in the water column to feed the corals. One tank for example, John Coppolino has something like 30? fish in his 180 and feeds a few times a day. His coloration and growth is among the best out there.

Really good point about copps' tank. I've started using Reef Chili more, but I think some fish (as you and others say) and a bit more time will really be the key.

@ lolgranny - I forgot to mention how beautiful your tank is!