SPS trouble- need the experienced!!

[camellia]

It looks like algae on the frag plug (growth). I'm not sure if it's flow or light. It was located in the center of the tank getting more flow but I did some rock work and it has a new home.

It was 12" under LEDs, Radion Pro @ 75% for 8 hours. I moved it a week ago 9" under a Phoenix 14,000k, 175W MH, Lumatek Ballast and it's not happy. Whatcha think it needs?

How many hours would you recommend I run the MH's?

Thank you

 

[acroholic]

Is the SPS frag dying, or is there a bit of algae growth on the frag plug? A pic if possible would be great. I am having a hard time interpreting exactly what the issue is.

 

[wildernets]

Flow direct and constant or is it irregular?

 

[camellia]

Sorry I forgot an important piece!

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[camellia]

The arrow shows the water line, it's up there!

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[wildernets]

Same question as before. What is the flow like? I have seen this and usually the coral wins. If you want you can softly use a soft brush and get any algae buildup off but what you have now is not a big deal.

 

[camellia]

Sorry about late pic's!

The flow is constant and direct from the return lock line (1/2) of the return. It inot a strong hitting current because there's a WP25 behind that rock pointing up and an mp10 on the right (side wall) pointing out.

 

[camellia]

I just want to correct the problem if possible.

One opinion (pic only) from an experienced SPS keeper thought it needed more light. How many hours should I be running the MH's?
Thanks

 

[wildernets]

Is it pointing directly at this coral. All the SPS I have die off it hit with constant (like always on them) flow from a return or non wave maker power head.

 

[wildernets]

I don't think it is a light problem. In my experience light problems cause color loss or change or tissue rtn.

 

[camellia]

Behind the Rick u see the WP 25 cord, to the left is the MP10 and return is on the right. This is in a 4', 75 with center overflow. So this is in 1/2 of the tank!

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Thanks

 

[camellia]

This 1/2 return line (volume) is about 11" away and pointed a little under the coral.

 

[wildernets]

Any scraping when you moved the coral? You said you rearranged some things?

 

[camellia]

This poor SPS has been broke twice but I don't think anything touched it this time.

 

[wildernets]

The short answer it that you had a small amount of tissue loss. It seems to have stopped. Now in the absence of tissue algae will grow till the tissue covers the space back up. I'd go 8 hours on the halides although I think you need a 250 or two. Is the halide thing temp and you will return to LEDs?

 

[wildernets]

How long have you had the coral?

 

[camellia]

No I just bought them and its a 75 gallon hence 20" deep and 175 was recommended...
I've got a 175 on each side and a Radion in the middle, testing for best growth for the next year.

So you would have recommended 2, 250's with the Radion in the center of a 4', 75 gallon?

 

[camellia]

I did purchase the Lumateck so I can use a 250W bulb but I just paid $350 for these two bulbs....

 

[wildernets]

No. You may be ok. That is a good bit of light but I'd keep the SPS up high. You also want good strong irregular flow on them. Hard to do that on the edges. Do you have a full tank shot so I can see the whole think. Looks like a great tank!

 

[wildernets]

I use Phoenix 14k 250 and I don't usually pay that much. I do love the bulbs though.