things are going south....:(

[IPT]

Not sure what is going on with my tank. I have one SPS, a brownish Acro that always has great poyp extension. My tank had had some fluctuating parameters but has been stable at least a month now.

I noticed that coral with little to no polyp extension. Now my Monti's (Caps) are losing color and starting to even bleach in a few places. Some other SPS are showing signs of STN with poor ployp extension.

I have been doign 10 gal WC's weekly for the past 4-5 weeks (my usual schedule, but occasionally skip a week here and there...but not lately). The last test showed the Salinty at 35, CA at 400, ALK at 10. MG was 1250. Temp was 78.6.

So far as I can tell everything is stable. I am at a loss for what is going on. Can anyone think of something I am missing? Something else to look for? I did paint in that room, but this started 2-3 weeks or so before that was done. Nothing has changed for better or worse after the painting.

It's a 50 gal with Aquatinics T-5s, Vortech, MJ400, and an Eheim 1250 return for flow. My bulbs may need changing come to think of it, but would a shifted spectrum on bulbs cause poor polyp extension and STN, or bleaching??

 

[AndyH5512]

Some of my corals get really ticked off when the bulbs start going bad. As soon as I replace them, they start getting their colors back. Your water parameters look good.

 

[IPT]

thanks Andy.... I am starting to suspect the lighting. The bulbs I think are only about a year old, but I can't think of anything else that it could be. Everything else I can think of seems to be stable and in check. Of course I am far from an expert and have lost many a piece. However, the one that started with the poor polyp extension is several years old and has tolerated some horendous issues/swings over the years so to see it closing up and not recovering is amazing to me.

 

[hdelectraglide]

thanks Andy.... I am starting to suspect the lighting. The bulbs I think are only about a year old, but I can't think of anything else that it could be. Everything else I can think of seems to be stable and in check. Of course I am far from an expert and have lost many a piece. However, the one that started with the poor polyp extension is several years old and has tolerated some horendous issues/swings over the years so to see it closing up and not recovering is amazing to me.

i would start with new bulbs. i change mine about every 9 to 10 months

 

[AndyH5512]

You would be amazed at how hardy some pieces become after being in captivity for a while. They are more tolerant than most would think. Make sure when you change your bulbs that you acclimate everything to the new, higher intensity you will have from the lights.

 

[IPT]

Whoa Nelly .... last bulb change was quite a while ago!! Minimum of 16 months, maybe longer. Gonna place an order right now...2nd day air!

 

[AndyH5512]

Let us know how it works out.