Loosing large SPS colonies

Werbo · #1 05-12-2015, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craigdillman

i know u said water is stable but post ur parameters is nitrate or phosphate up at all ? Alk swings can cause this, nitrates can cause some colonies to be stressed and others look fine

I've never tested nitrates in 10+ years. Gonna start testing nitrates when Hanna releases a handheld colorimeter if it's affordable.

Phosphates are .06 on a Hanna. This is low for my tank as po4 is usually .08-.10 in my tank over the last 4 years.

Aquattro · #2 05-12-2015, 05:55 AM

You should probably test NO3. If it's steadily increased over the years, it could reach critical levels. PO4 is even a bit high IMO. I aim for 0.00, hoping to be under 0.03ppm. NO3, I aim for less than 1ppm

Werbo · #3 05-12-2015, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro

You should probably test NO3. If it's steadily increased over the years, it could reach critical levels. PO4 is even a bit high IMO. I aim for 0.00, hoping to be under 0.03ppm. NO3, I aim for less than 1ppm

NO3 could be high as I haven't ever tested. I've always vinegar dosed to control nitrates but never tested. My aim has always been off on PO4 but corals have done well especially Sept-March with PO4 around .10. Tried gfo and fozdown but never been able to maintain PO4 in the "ideal" range.

This scare is gonna make me a better reefer as I've had a long lucky streak just doing large regular water changes. Just hope I don't loose anymore large colonies.

Aquattro · #4 05-12-2015, 06:21 AM

You may continue to lose them until you figure out why. Test anything you can. If you don't have a kit for NO3, drop by here with some water tomorrow night.

Craigdillman · #5 05-12-2015, 06:34 AM

The steady rise in nitrates is what I'm battling now after really not testing it for like 2 years finally tested it and was presently surprised with decently high levels and started to notice high end acans and deep water acro just not looking as good ... maybe same thing for you?

Werbo · #6 05-12-2015, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro

You may continue to lose them until you figure out why. Test anything you can. If you don't have a kit for NO3, drop by here with some water tomorrow night.

Ok thanks. Not tomorrow but soon. Very soon

Reef Pilot · #7 05-12-2015, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Werbo

Ok thanks. Not tomorrow but soon. Very soon

I use Hanna for P04, but you don't need an expensive kit for N03. I just use API, and N03 shows up pretty well if it is present.

jason604 · #8 05-12-2015, 04:08 PM

I think I may have the same problems as U. At first I thought it was aefw as well but it was not. I was having rtn on my sps. Mainly targeting my millis. I stopped dosing vinegar and vodka and that seemed to have stopped the rtn. My mag was a lil low at around 1050 so I dosed it up to 1350 currently and 2 more milli colony is starting to STN. I believe these problems r caused by stressing in changes of water chemistry but not sure. Try stopping ur carbon dosing n see what happens. Also what are ur parameters at?

Werbo · #9 05-13-2015, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

I use Hanna for P04, but you don't need an expensive kit for N03. I just use API, and N03 shows up pretty well if it is present.

Ya gonna grab a cheap api nitrate kit.

Craigdillman · #10 05-12-2015, 05:57 AM

Hrm weird, is anything stinging them? I had two big colonies come close and ended up losing both to stn,