Doing periodic water changes makes! I've been kinda slack and my corals reflected that. Since I've been doing them like I should (about 10-15% weekly), I can tell a helluva difference! Everyone is perked up and growing-tentacles extended. Wow!
I noticed the same thing. I slacked off for a few months and noticed an imbalance in alk and calcium among other things. ever since doing a massive amount of water changes and keeping them up weekly....everything is looking great.
yeah-I like to do more frequent, smaller WC's-but my SPS is LOVING it-I went a period of about 4 months w/o a WC and my SPS really suffered-only like 2-3 pieces made -(i didn't dose either)-but to my surprise, no fish died-and all my softies made it, just no growth.