SPS starving? Help

[ooja3k]

My sps have been struggling. I have had 4 monti caps/digis grow when first introduced to the aquarium, growing quite quickly in the first couple days, then I get reduced polyp extension from them, then reduced color, and ultimately the death of the coral.

There is never any tissue recession, nor predators. So it must be something in the water / chemical.

Its almost as if they are starving..


Tank:
30 gallon long
Aquactinics TX5
Auto-dosing of b-ionic 2 part.
Euro-reef RS80
Polyfilter 24/7
Ammo - 0
Trite - 0
Trate - 0
Phosphate - 0
Alk - 10
Calc - 450
Mag - 1150 (I know its low)
Ph - 8.3-8.4
Temp 79

I'm wondering if between my skimming and polyfilter, if there is not enough nutrients in the water for the coral to feed on.. Could this be possible??? Should I switch to carbon? Should that bee run 24/7? Or will they essentially do the same thing.

Anyone have any thoughts??

Here are some pics for reference:
Shortly after being introduced:

3 weeks later:

Before:

After:

Before:

I don't have an after pic of this one, but its like the digitata above.


Any ideas??

 

[ooja3k]

By the way, this issue was happened prior to me upgrading my lights to the TX5. Previously I had the Nova Extreme T-5 fixture. (4x39 w/o individual reflectors).

I thought lighting might have been an issue, so I upgraded.

 

[Helter Skilter]

What's your flow like?

 

[ooja3k]

Koralia 1,2,3 and sump return.

850+600+400+~200=2050gph/30gallons = 68x turnover

 

[njdevilsfan]

not trying to be a smart a$$ but how are you sure there are no preditors?

 

[returnofsid]

I'd second the question about predation. Montiporas are very hardy when it comes to lighting. All your parameters appear good. I'd say it's either predation or something in your water chemistry. Have you taken your water elsewhere to have it tested?

 

[skey44]

fish and invert list?

 

[maroun.c]

Ryan can you please tell what PBITAWA is?

 

[ooja3k]

i have stayed up multiple nights with a flashlight looking for pests/predators. none that i can see.

i have not taken my water elsewhere, but i posted this same question in the sps forum, and we decided that the corals do not look like they were being preyed upon, rather that they did indeed starve.

my tank has an ultra-low nutrient level. coupling a euro-reef rs80 and polypfilter 24/7, there is nothing in my water column left for the corals to feed upon..

my plan of attack is to start dosing AA's, and maybe look into an additional small fish...


fish:
2 occ. clowns
1 sixline wrasse
1 starry blenny

inverts:
2 cleaner shrimp
3 turbos
20ish astreas
7 scarlet leg hermits
10 dwarf blue legs
1 emerald crab
3 queen conchs

 

[laxing22]

What kind of salt are you using for water changes? I have always had better SPS growth with ReefCrystals over IO. (extra trace and will bring up your mag)
Also with a smaller tank, you could be having swings in your PH once the lights are off. Check the PH right before the come on and then again right before off and in the middle. What about your KH? That will help control swings.

 

[laxing22]

You may also want to try dosing some DT's

 

[ooja3k]

my ph is a really constant at around 8.3

i am using reef crystals for my water changes, but the mag tests in a fesh batch at only 1050... thats pretty poor...