Too low nutrients?

[zchauvin]

Rundown -

10g Nuvo with Kessil 160 set to about 30% intensity and roughly 14" above water. I have an ATO and use chemi pure blue for filtration. Fish are two banner cardinals that get frozen mysis each morning.

Sg : 1.026
Alk : 8.4
Ca : 430
Po4 : 0.00
Nitrate : <2 ( Red Sea )

I am getting barely any PE and my red planet went from green/red to completely brown after I increased lighting too much. I have since lowered back to 30. Began using reef roids today to help feed coral. Is there anything I could/should do differently in terms of nutrients?


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[reefmutt]

How old is your system?
How do maintain parameters?
I'd say add one more fish..

 

[zchauvin]

I maintain using weekly water changes of 2g and chemipure blue. No skimmer. I don't want to cram the tank with fish as I already feel the banners get too large for a 12" tank. Perhaps a chromis? I had a clown but he was hosting my acans and keeping them closed. System is about three months old.


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[reefmutt]

veey new system..
No surprise the acros are not cooperating..
Chromis can be nasty is such a small space..
maybe a firefish?
Or maybe give the tank several more months as is..

 

[zchauvin]

veey new system..
No surprise the acros are not cooperating..
Chromis can be nasty is such a small space..
maybe a firefish?
Or maybe give the tank several more months as is..

I don't understand how being a new system is a negative thing? I have stable water parameters, no excess algae, no excess nutrients. Perhaps I missed something?

 

[Pife]

I don't understand how being a new system is a negative thing? I have stable water parameters, no excess algae, no excess nutrients. Perhaps I missed something?

Your microfauna isn't mature. Something sps like.

 

[reefmutt]

New systems are not necessarily as stable as you might think..
There are so many levels of biology that need to be fully established in a system the make it really acro friendly.
It can take time to become fully colonized with Bacterial strains, the various microfauna, sponge populations..
It is just very common for acropora, in particular to take a bit longer than other corals to get happy, so to speak, in a new system.
This is not always the case, like everything in reefing, there is no 'one way suits all'..
Maybe your acros aren't happy, not because it's a new system, but it's a possibility.
Not having any po4 may be another possibility..
Stability is certainlly key, so you are heading in the right direction.
Keeping lighting intensity low right now is also a good idea with such low nutrients.
Weekly 20ish % wc is also good depending on the salt and its alkalinity. Does your salt match the water parameters you have in the tank?
If not, this could be a source of instability as well..
All I'm saying is that your system is still on the young side.. and this can be a problem in and of itself.
Granted you seem to be taking it slow and conscientiously but maybe a little more time may be all the system needs..
You said you just started adding reefroids. I like reefroids. Over the next few weeks, this alone may swing your nutrient up just enough. Maybe wait and see what happens with the roids for a few weeks and then evaluate the necessity of another fish.. maybe it won't be necessary..

 

[zchauvin]

Ok thanks guys will do


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[Rakie]

veey new system..
No surprise the acros are not cooperating..

Honestly I threw acros into both of my tanks right away with zero issues. The only thing I did different was possibly the use of Bio Spira.

Either way -- I've seen no ill effects on colors or growth myself.

 

[zchauvin]

Too low nutrients?

Honestly I threw acros into both of my tanks right away with zero issues. The only thing I did different was possibly the use of Bio Spira.



Either way -- I've seen no ill effects on colors or growth myself.

While I know I am not employing zeovit method the same is said for that. Tanks undergo complete cycle and acropora are added after only two weeks, and the tank is super low nutrients. I am not sure what the issue is that I am having but I did not ever think I would have such a dumb problem when I all you ever read is how nano tanks stay so dirty.

I also have a Trachyphyllia that has been slowly receding and I cannot find any reasoning or ideas other than it is starving. I try to spot feed and it eats occasionally but not often. I have never had this issue before and this is not my first tank, my only idea is that I do not have enough nutrients in the tank. Perhaps I could try some type of KZ products like amino acid lps ect. ?


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[Rakie]

Every tank is it's own mini ecosystem, what worked for me may not work for some, and vice versa.

Nano's always being dirty is a myth perpetuated by people who keep dirty tanks, or have zero equipment.

 

[reefmutt]

Absolutely. Every tank is completely chemically,biologically unique.
I think you're probably right to go with your instinct, here..
there are some who, with 0 po4,would simply add po4.
But Roids would do it to..
I think you are on the right track.