If they are PC's you don't have enough light.

PC I'm assuming that this is power compact. This is what I have. Sorry for misleading everyone quoting T5's. I though there were the same.

plus 2 being actinic doesn't help

I'm running API Test Kits I have had them for 8 months plus however long they were on the shelf. I re-tested P04 and NO3 and have the same results. So is this a lighting issue, water quality or both?

You don't have enough lights for SPS and barely enough for LPS especially if your bulbs are older than 6 months. Looks like an excuse to upgrade T5's or M/H:wink:

Ok, thanks for your help on this........ Next one........please. I attached another pic of the lighting area I have (in original post). It is very limited as the aquarium is built in to a finished cabinet. There is a measurement for height, total length available is 48 inches. Is there something I can put in this space that will work or should I just tear everything down and start over with a proper sump, tank, complete entire set-up, build a new cabinet, LOL!!

I'm not trying to be critical for the sake of it so please don't take this the wrong way but that's too many fish for a tank you are trying to keep challenging corals in. Plus, I notice you have a large angel fish which in all likelihood will either a) continue to maintain water quality as an ongoing issue or b) make a nice light snack out of your corals. I agree as well that it is very odd to have that many fish and no nitrate, esp with phosphates that high. Typically when you are keeping SPS and/or large (and beautiful!) fish together like that it requires either a really large tank or extreme maintenance effort on you part (ideally both). That's why most people end up making a choice between corals and fish like large angels, not doing both (I said most!). Again, just trying to offer advice, not dictate. Please don't be offended.

any t5 fixture should work there, including the cheapest option - a diy retrofit t5 that would be a huge improvement over what you currently have. Again, only applicable if you decide corals will be your focus. If you want to continue to focus on fish, the light you have is fine.

and on further inspection, looks like what is happening to the SPS coral may be STN or RTN (slow tissue necrosis or rapid tissue necrosis, depending of course on how fast it's happening). This has many potential causes but could be related to a water quality issue of some type (including acclimation issues).

nlreefguy - I knew a stab would come back about the tank loading. Those little buggers are always fighting for the camera lens hence almost every fish was in the pic. I tried to hide them but no luck. It looks a bit worse then it really is. I will agree that maybe there is a little overloading but I think it is still respectable. When they get too big they will go to new homes. Don't call the reef police, ok. My focus?....... To have a reef with everything! Well not everything but a nice complement of fish and corals. I would agree with your diagnosing of STN or RTN, ya right I don't have a clue what that is. Got some reading to do, thanks for your comments.

Any ideas where I can buy a new light for this set-up?