Too clean? or to much Light? to little Flow?

[Acronic]

I think it has little to do with tank age. I would look at three things, the lighting, an ionic imbalance (alk, cal, mag) and the nutrient levels (No3, Po4)

A key ingredient in colorful SPS is nitrate <2.5ppm >0.25ppm;
and phosphate <0.07ppm >0.01ppm

A tool that helped me achieve color was the Hanna Phosphorus url meter and locking in my Po4 at 0.05ppm

 

[Reefmedic79]

Light cycle in fuge is is 20 hours, with a small dark period during the day. I have cheatomorpha in the fuge.

All parameters are within normal limits, yet I haven't tested for calcium, magnesium, or phosphates, as with the exception of the Montipora I'm having issue with has been SPS free until about a month ago. Im planning on picking up these tests in the neat future though, and will keep them posted on this thread.

Sent from my future self.

 

[tilo]

have you ever tried an opposite light cycle on the fuge? I find it works better keeping my Ph constant through out the night. I also found the problem to my coral. MAJANO. good luck. I will be looking forward to your water chemistry.

It also helps the macro get more nutrients from the water column imo. I think of it as, if you leave the light on most of the time they will be getting thier food from photosynthesis and not absorbing anything in the water column. with the lights opposite i feel its a digestion time for the plants as well as an opportunity to feed on the nutrients until lights come back. Like I said just a thought. Could be wrong or you can have another view on it

 

[jg93]

"Haven't started checking my Mag or Calcium yet due to the small population in the tank and to the fairly high levels Red Sea advertises with their salt. So I don't think this is an issue at this time"

I would never discount this (this sounds like alk swing or low alk issues IMO.)

If you keep SPSs, keeping alk/calc stable is a must. Even a 1" frag of monti will start sucking this up more quickly than you think, and if you're only doing small bi-weekly water changes your sorta fooling yourself here.

Just my opinion.

 

[Reefmedic79]

"Haven't started checking my Mag or Calcium yet due to the small population in the tank and to the fairly high levels Red Sea advertises with their salt. So I don't think this is an issue at this time"

I would never discount this (this sounds like alk swing or low alk issues IMO.)

If you keep SPSs, keeping alk/calc stable is a must. Even a 1" frag of monti will start sucking this up more quickly than you think, and if you're only doing small bi-weekly water changes your sorta fooling yourself here.

Just my opinion.

I'm not fooling myself, I'm fully aware that these parameters may be the cause, and I've done this long enough to know not to take a vendor's claims on thier product as gospel.

As for my all, all my tests for all have been within the excepted range with very little if any fluctuation. I always test at the same time during my light cycle, and not throughout a specific day, so it could very well be the reason, and I'm planning on checking it out when I get my Calcium and Magnesium tests.

Sent from my future self.