Sps starving to death... please help

[hydrahawk]

Do you run a fuge? If you do, do you need to prune your algae?

 

[AriMiko43]

did you leave the last batch of po4 in for too long ?

seems like that might be the case ... last batch got full [of po4] and stopped removing, your system po4 went up, corals adapting, then new GFO introduced and within 2 hours po4 went back to normal [which is no longer normal for your corals]

if that is the case. try feeding some particle foods. there are alot of choices out there. dont overfeed, just a bit daily is enough. your system will be back to normal in 2 weeks.

just guessing what has happened though. think about what u have done differently last 2 months, cant tell exactly what the ISsue is from just tests and results of today.

This sounds like a pretty good explanation to me. I did a water change also of 30 gallons along with the gfo and carbon change. I believe I stripped out the nutrients and now need to build them back up. Thank you

Coral frenzy would be a good addition, and as others have said dramatically reduce the amount of gfo. There is such a thing as "Too Clean" for SPS.

I am going to add some coral frenzy tonight and reduce the gfo in the reactor. I also picked up some Acropower today and will dose that also.

I would feed the fish more and see what happens. I feed 5 to 6 times a day.

I started feeding 2-3 times a day but I dont want to overdue it and fill the system with nutrients to quickly.

Many people, especially us old timers have success using methods to reduce phosphate long term with out carbon dosing or chemical reduction like GFO. While some people choose to use it, to many of us it is not necessary. To be honest most of the problems that I see on this site are caused by improper system design or unrealistic bio loads. A properly designed and populated system can run quite nicely long term without a lot of chemical supplements, additives or other bandages.

Sometimes its better to just keep things simple...

Do you run a fuge? If you do, do you need to prune your algae?

Yes I do run a fuge and have reduced the chaeto by half> I figured the chaeto was taking the nutrients.

Thank you all for your replies, I really appreciate you all taking time out to help fellow reefers out. I will let you know my outcome after a week or two.

 

[Geeray]

Many people, especially us old timers have success using methods to reduce phosphate long term with out carbon dosing or chemical reduction like GFO. While some people choose to use it, to many of us it is not necessary. To be honest most of the problems that I see on this site are caused by improper system design or unrealistic bio loads. A properly designed and populated system can run quite nicely long term without a lot of chemical supplements, additives or other bandages.

I never said you couldn't run a system without GFO I was merely pointing out that a lot of very accomplished reefers feel the need to use it and for someone to say it's completely not necessary is inaccurate. I guess it's possible that these accomplished reefers aren't quite on the same skill level as you but some things are never going to change.

Please drop the subject your interfering with the OPs thread.

 

[jgalen0025]

As ssoon as I cut out my gfo to almost nothing is when my stn started to recede
I have since adopted big e's method of running a little higher phosphate zero nitrates and vinegar dosing. Also I heard from vivid aquariums that you should run your alkaline betwn 7 and 8 when carbon dosing and it seems to have worked wonders for my systems health nd overall balance.

 

[magnoliarichj]

I have never used gfo

 

[DaddyJax]

Type and number of fish and quality of food are key. Also is the strength of skimmer and filter bag replacement along with good and consistent WC's. Fuges are good. You want to have lots of pods. Live rock with lots of pods along with snails are important as well. I and others have spent countless hours talking about this on this forum over the past decade and the hobby has come a long way since then.


Not saying this is the only way but one that works well.
I am also not a fan of sand beds but thats me.

 

[dillct]

How are things doing now that you changed up the feeding?

 

[mbingha]

How are things doing now that you changed up the feeding?

Wondering the same