What's causng my SPS to bleach?

[edulover]

My sps is losing it's color and has decreased PE. I don't know what's causing this. It was doing fine and then all of a sudden. Anyone have this problem and may know the culprit? Likely suspects are:

1. Vodka Dosing
2. Phosban
3. Chemi pure elite
4. Calcium Reactor (not likely)
5. Lighting (unlikely...it was doing fine under the same lighting)

Let me know what you think.

 

[dine]

could be water params...what are yours and have they remained consistant? any big swings?

 

[ralph atl]

Edulover;761846 wrote: My sps is losing it's color and has decreased PE. I don't know what's causing this. It was doing fine and then all of a sudden. Anyone have this problem and may know the culprit? Likely suspects are:

1. Vodka Dosing
2. Phosban
3. Chemi pure elite
4. Calcium Reactor (not likely)
5. Lighting (unlikely...it was doing fine under the same lighting)

Let me know what you think.

Nutrient removal is nessesary and too much nutrients will cause those issues.

However, your tank inhabitants need time to adjust to a Low Nutrient System, so if you are moving too fast, that will also cause it.

low nutrient systems do best when Alk is 8-9.

Post all parems, including Alk, Mag, phates, trates, and how large water volume and how much, how often, and when did u start these nutrient removal systems?

 

[scottandgin]

Check those phosphates....

 

[dine]

and ill add to that (since phates was my first thought but i wanted to hear all your params) any algae? you could think you have no phosphates present but if there is algae i can assure you you do.

 

[edulover]

I have a 120 gal DT with a 30 gal sump, LEDs, and Reef Octous skimmer.

Water parameters:

Temp: 79.5
pH: 8.12
Amm: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrates: 40
Cal: 500
Kh: 8
Mag: 1300
Phos: 0.1

20 gallon weekly water change
Everything has been constant....no big swings in parameters

I added the phoban and chemipure about 3 weeks ago. Calcium reactor a month ago. I started dosing vodka 3 weeks ago and that's when this problem started. I'm not exactly sure which one is the problem.

 

[ralph atl]

:shades:

yikes!

trates at 40? that's death along with phates at .1!


http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php">http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php</a>

Nitrates should be below 1.0 for sps ( I keep mine below 0.5)
Phosphates measured by a test kit that measures low range such as DD Merck, HACH, Colormeter, or the New Elos ....should be at or below 0.028

 

[edulover]

mysterybox;761874 wrote: :shades:

yikes!

trates at 40? that's death along with phates at .1!


http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php">http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php</a>

Nitrates should be below 1.0 for sps ( I keep mine below 0.5)
Phosphates measured by a test kit that measures low range such as DD Merck, HACH, Colormeter, or the New Elos ....should be at or below 0.028[/QUOTE]


Measured my Nitrates using the ELos test kit and got "1".

 

[rskillz]

Double checked your salinity lately? Any reason that could have fluctuated?

Out of all of the variables I'd be most suspicious of the vodka. I've never used vodka, but bio-pellets are a similar product and can cause RTN and SPS issues when first introduced, especially if overdosed. I'd evaluate your dosing numbers and scale back/modify them a bit.

 

[skriz]

Edulover;761846 wrote: My sps is losing it's color and has decreased PE. I don't know what's causing this. It was doing fine and then all of a sudden. Anyone have this problem and may know the culprit? Likely suspects are:

1. Vodka Dosing
2. Phosban
3. Chemi pure elite
4. Calcium Reactor (not likely)
5. Lighting (unlikely...it was doing fine under the same lighting)

Let me know what you think.

TOo much going on at once. Rapid changes will kill sps with a quickness.

 

[justindville1987]

Look close on your sps, possibly tiny red bugs.

Edit: Look close on your sps, possibly tiny red bugs.

 

[edulover]

Rskillz;761926 wrote: Double checked your salinity lately? Any reason that could have fluctuated?

Out of all of the variables I'd be most suspicious of the vodka. I've never used vodka, but bio-pellets are a similar product and can cause RTN and SPS issues when first introduced, especially if overdosed. I'd evaluate your dosing numbers and scale back/modify them a bit.

Yeah...I was think it was either the vodka or the chemipure. I seen that other people have had problems with chemipure.

Skriz;761952 wrote: TOo much going on at once. Rapid changes will kill sps with a quickness.

Good point...I did do too much at once now that I look back. I was just desperate to decrease my nitrates and phosphates.

justindville1987;762024 wrote: Look close on your sps, possibly tiny red bugs.

Edit: Look close on your sps, possibly tiny red bugs.

No sign of red bugs probably something that I'm doing to the tank.

 

[justindville1987]

No red bug is a good thing bro

Edit: No red bug is a good thing bro

 

[edulover]

Actually, it's mainly my monti that's affected.

 

[brisco15]

I moved my monti and it bleached sometimes there temperamental my green slimer got moved at the same time and had no problem and has grown since the move in the tank. But ive ran chemipure and had no problem. Vodka has always scared me heard horror stories.

 

[winkkle]

Another reason i just keep it simple with quality salt and frequent water changes.