Now onto SPS

[laeru]

so I've had my 60 gallon tank about a year and a half now and still can't seem to keep sps corals. all my softies and lps are doing beyond great but as soon as i put any type of acro, monti, ect. they literally die overnight. i heard about softies realizing toxins and killing the sps, but i also have seen successful tanks with both softies and sps. I've heard that carbon could help, but id rather hear from experienced reefers before i go buy and something bad happens. (if all else fails, i am setting up my old 36 gallon for sps only)

tank info:

no ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate.
ph- 8.2 (but sometimes drops to 8.0)
calcium - 480-500
alkalinity - 11
magnesium - unknown (never checked before)
salinity - 1.026
temp - low of 75 high of 79 (doesn't fluctuate too much, just throughout the day)
lighting - unknown brand but it says "200w High Power LED Aquarium Light"

 

[spike]

When first putting in your tank where are you locating them? Do you have any temperature swings?

 

[lakin58]

Phosphate could be high, that was my issue when faced with a similar situation. Also Mg should be tested or regular water changes, though salt mixes can be light on Mg. How do you acclimate the coral when adding it? What type of powerheads do you have for water movement?

 

[laeru]

The temp doesn't fluctuate. I place low at first to prevent shock. No phosphates. I've used ions before but don't know my level

 

[laeru]

By the way, could most of these factors even cause it to happen overnight. As soon as they enter the tank, they slowly begin to erode from the tip.

 

[heathlindner25]

not a lot of fish stores I know keep their alk at 11, a big alk swing will kill them.