sps help

[Snappy]

There must be something you're not aware of. Sounds like high nitrates or something. How high are they in the tank? How is your flow?

[JOEL]

Originally Posted by Snappy

There must be something you're not aware of. Sounds like high nitrates or something. How high are they in the tank? How is your flow?

Hi snappy

My nitrate are at 0 salifert test kit
My flow is 4800 gph

Any other suggestions

[christyf5]

Hi Joel,

you and I have almost the same systems

Have you always had problems with SPS coloration or are you thinking that they should be coloring up with the use of zeovit?? I have been using zeovit for about 6 months now and my corals are nice but not like the photos of other zeovit tanks.

Anyways here is what I dose for zeovit for comparison sakes:

zeobak 4 drops 2x week
zeofood7 4 drops 2x week
coral vitalizer 4 drops 3x week
zeostart2 0.3ml 2x day
coral snow 2-3mls 3x week

If I were you I'd cut back a bit on your coral vitalizer, sometimes too much can darken tissue as well as the amino acids (as per zeovit.com). If you've just started with zeovit I'd stop the amino acids altogether and wait until you have run the system for awhile before adding that (thats what I was told on zeovit.com).

I'd also think about maybe increasing your halide photoperiod to 10 hours a day? The XM 20K aren't really providing a ton of light but thats just my opinion.

As for the iron supplements, you haven't indicated that you are using any?? I doubt the caulerpa will cause you any problems. I think the taxifolia is one of the safer caulerpas to use for nutrient export.

[JOEL]

Originally Posted by christyf5

Hi Joel,

you and I have almost the same systems

Have you always had problems with SPS coloration or are you thinking that they should be coloring up with the use of zeovit?? I have been using zeovit for about 6 months now and my corals are nice but not like the photos of other zeovit tanks.

Anyways here is what I dose for zeovit for comparison sakes:

zeobak 4 drops 2x week
zeofood7 4 drops 2x week
coral vitalizer 4 drops 3x week
zeostart2 0.3ml 2x day
coral snow 2-3mls 3x week

If I were you I'd cut back a bit on your coral vitalizer, sometimes too much can darken tissue as well as the amino acids (as per zeovit.com). If you've just started with zeovit I'd stop the amino acids altogether and wait until you have run the system for awhile before adding that (thats what I was told on zeovit.com).

I'd also think about maybe increasing your halide photoperiod to 10 hours a day? The XM 20K aren't really providing a ton of light but thats just my opinion.

As for the iron supplements, you haven't indicated that you are using any?? I doubt the caulerpa will cause you any problems. I think the taxifolia is one of the safer caulerpas to use for nutrient export.

Yes I have always had problems with SPS coloration since I got them
back in July and they don't seem to grow much.

[wickedfrags]

How are you maintaining your alkalinity and calcium? I did not see a calcium reactor mentioned below.

That choice of macro is not the best, but it should not present any immediate problems, get your hands on some chaeto. No need to dose iron.

[fencer]

What rate do you water change? and add carbon

[Rbacchiega]

I don't run carbon...and I have zoas in with my sps. But I do do a 10-15% water change every week...

[JOEL]

Originally Posted by wickedfrags.com

How are you maintaining your alkalinity and calcium? I did not see a calcium reactor mentioned below.

That choice of macro is not the best, but it should not present any immediate problems, get your hands on some chaeto. No need to dose iron.

At the moment I just add calcium to my make up water. My calcium demands are low
It does not seem to fluctuate between water changes it stays constant 430 to 450

[untamed]

Stop measuring Ca and spend your time measuring Alk. I am willing to bet that you can see a measurable decline in Alk daily.

Get on a balanced Ca/Alk delivery plan like Kalk, Ca Reactor or Balling.

[wickedfrags]

Agreed, corals use calcium not gallons do not. That being said you maintain your DKH on the low side so downward fluctations can result in stress and lightening of your SPS corals.

How about some pictures?

Originally Posted by JOEL

At the moment I just add calcium to my make up water. My calcium demands are low
It does not seem to fluctuate between water changes it stays constant 430 to 450

Originally Posted by JOEL

At the moment I just add calcium to my make up water. My calcium demands are low
It does not seem to fluctuate between water changes it stays constant 430 to 450