Why are my acros dying!!!

[twabatman2004]

Lighting photo periods could be increased. I prefer 11 hours actinic and 7.5 hours with 250 halides over a 24 inch deep tank.
You can't really test for copper in a low enough range(ppb) to help but it would kill other inverts; not just acros.
Tds from a well water source could be an issue.
Sg could be higher ,1.026 =/- .001 is my prefence.
As noted keeping things stable particularly aklinity is important.

I will try the longer photo period when I try acros again. I remember a thread on this forum about people running the short photo period with having awesome success so that's why it was low.

 

[tmz]

Well, I don't recall that thread or the rationale. It certainly doesn't comport with a natural reef diurnal cycle. Must have missed it or ignored it. Mine do well as noted.

Good luck

 

[ClownNut]

what's the color of the dead acro skeleton?

 

[SPotter]

Well, I don't recall that thread or the rationale. It certainly doesn't comport with a natural reef diurnal cycle. Must have missed it or ignored it. Mine do well as noted.

Good luck

Hey Tom, can you share your water parameters with us...particularly po4 and no3?

 

[trinity1012]

Sps brand metal halides

never heard of it...sps bulb?

 

[krzyphsygy]

Well, I don't recall that thread or the rationale. It certainly doesn't comport with a natural reef diurnal cycle. Must have missed it or ignored it. Mine do well as noted.

Good luck

I read that thread as well. Works for me. I am running blue's 8 hrs and the rest 5 1/2 hrs. Everything growing just fine. My days of 10 hr cycles are gone. Too much light saturation.

My guess is the well water. Even though r/o unit is being used, I have others with the same issue. Each tank is different but I would try another water source for a few months thats not on well and see if leads somewhere. Your TDS meter could be off also.
I always make my own salt water though.

 

[REEF SMAC]

Sorry, yes. Phosphates checked a few months ago and were none. Not positive on MG. Don't believe I have checked that. If I have, its been awhile. Other SPS such as Montis and sytlos are doing awesome though so i wouldn't think they would be out of line.

What did you check this PO4 level with?

No hair algae that I see. Really not much algae at all. The acros would lose color and turn brown after a week or two.

IME this browning is from nutrients too high or lighting too low, or both.

I have a hard time believing your acros are "starving" but your montis and stylos are fine.

Lighting photo periods could be increased.

Sg could be higher ,1.026 =/- .001 is my prefence.

I totally agree.^^^