Why can't I keep Acros and Millies

[rjd0521]

I have tried Acros and Millies on different occasions and all ended up with rtn or stn at some point or another. WHY???? All the other SPS are thriving including Monti cap, spongodes, birdsnests, hydnophora horn, and others that I do not know the name of. All have encrusted and are coloring up except the Acros and Millies. Acros don't even have pollyps extension.

My water quality:

Temp: 79-80
PH: 8.0-8.2 (API)
Ammonia: 0.0 (API)
Nitrite: 0.0 (API)
Nitrate: 0.0 - 2.0 ppm. Looks like 0.5 low range. (Salifert)
Alk: 8 - 9 dkh (API)
Calcium: 460 - 480 ppm (API)
Magnesium: 1460 ppm (Salifert)
Phosphate: 0.02 - 0.03 ppm (Hanna Phosphate LR)

Flow is 51x turnover.

So why can't Acros and Millies make it in my tank? HELP

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

The corals that you listed as thriving are pretty hardy species, although mille’s should be easy as well. Your parameters seem in line, although API test kits are not the best test kits on the market, you may want to validate your readings with another test kit.

As far as lighting what do you have lighting your tank? How long are the lights on?

 

[trinity1012]

Check for stray current from lighting.if any stray current get to the tank. Ur polyps will never come out.

 

[watchguy123]

Your parameters are enviable.

Couple comments and suggestions. Your calcium seems high compared to your alk relatively speaking. So are you dosing because I don't know how a calcium reactor would give those results. There is nothing wrong with either number they are usually related and an alk of 8 or so generally won't have calcium that high, generally speaking unless dosing. Stray current is usually an easy fix although scary-- don't want to get zapped. Lighting of course plays a large role and don't know what you have going with that. Don't know much about turn over (51 times). Also need good flow through out tank. Any critters bugging your coral. It is challenging problem solving a tank remotely but good luck. How long has your tank been running, time seems to be a solution to many issues.

 

[tripdad]

What fish are in the tank?

 

[rjd0521]

although API test kits are not the best test kits on the market, you may want to validate your readings with another test kit.

I read that API are pretty good for Calcium and Alkalinity. But I can double check the results with Salifert.

As far as lighting what do you have lighting your tank? How long are the lights on?

2x400watt Metal Halide. 14k Hamilton. 6 hours per day. The rest of the lighting comes from 2x48" truelumen pro LED Marine Fusion.

Check for stray current from lighting

How do I check for stray current?

Your calcium seems high compared to your alk relatively speaking. So are you dosing because I don't know how a calcium reactor would give those results. There is nothing wrong with either number they are usually related and an alk of 8 or so generally won't have calcium that high, generally speaking unless dosing

Dosing with Brightwell Calcion and Alk 8.3 and Magnesion. Dosing is not done unless tested first. Working on getting a calcium reactor in the very near future so I won't have to dose anymore.

Stray current is usually an easy fix

How do you fix it?

Any critters bugging your coral. It is challenging problem solving a tank remotely but good luck. How long has your tank been running, time seems to be a solution to many issues.

No critters bugging the coral. As far as I know of course. I have 3 peppermint shrimp and 2 queen conch for sand stirring. The tank has been running for over 1.5 years.

What fish are in the tank?

One Clown, One blue tang, three blue/green chromis.

 

[RVANANO]

You can use a voltmeter to test.

 

[rjd0521]

Check for stray current from lighting.if any stray current get to the tank. Ur polyps will never come out.

I'm am not sure if it is stray current because only the Acros and Millies dont have any polyps extension. All the other corals show extensions.

 

[RVANANO]

Usually softies seem more affected by stray voltage anyway. If you have any mushrooms, they will start to spit out their guts when there is stray voltage. It's still a good idea to check for it and often people use a ground probe to help protect.

 

[sponger0]

Honestly, API kits suck for for alk, calc, mag of phos. Get new kits. Check you alk and the swing your getting in 24 hours.

Have you looked for red bugs?

 

[rjd0521]

Have you looked for red bugs?

yes. Could not see anything.

 

[rjd0521]

Bump. Need help guys

 

[karsseboom]

Acros are millis

Acropora millipora is the whole name.

 

[tinkerman]

What reflecters and ballasts are you using? What powerheads and how many? Red bugs are very small and hard to see, I didn't notice I had them till one of my acro's bleached and there were about 50 of them on it. You could try dipping some in bayer and see if anything comes off. Nitrates might be a little low depending on reflecter ballast combo. Could be a flow issue, don't think so but might. If I remeber right api only does full numbers so if you have a 1/2 dkh swing you won't know it. Most other test kits give you 0.2-0.3 dkh incriments and 10 for ca. I had problems with rtn/stn when i read 0 nitrate and 0 phoshate, would notice this when alk got over 8 dkh tips would burn or bleach.

 

[rjd0521]

What reflecters and ballasts are you using?

Hamilton Reefstar with Hamilton Ballast.

What powerheads and how many?

2 x 3200 sunsun powerheads.

2 x 1400 Koralia.

 

[rjd0521]

No one?

 

[trueblackpercula]

What's the salinity

 

[MammothReefer]

Check your parameters every other day for a week or two at the same time. A single instance of what your parameters look like will only tell us that they are good, or bad right now.

The main culprit when it comes to SPS is stability. 8 alk and 10 alk are both acceptable but going from 8 to 10, and back to 8 every couple days will kill things quick.

If you are only dosing once a day or every couple days you could be swinging your parameters all over the place. Your montis are going to be a lot more tolerant of this then your acroporas.

The same can be said for salinity and how / when you are topping off your tank.

 

[olee]

What's your equipment of flow? Is it enough?
Millis loves high flow.

 

[deepseadan]

Your parameters look pretty decent and your light should be good. Is it possible you might be over skimming a bit? Also do you have an auto top system? Acros are very sensitive to salinity changes.