need help

[ESSELO]

i have two problems:
1. i have a purple acropora which has lost all color and is becoming whiter by the day.
2. same with my pink birds nest.

i've tested the water, all parameters are excellant. i have relocated these two dozen times with no effect. the acropora looks like it's dying but the birds nest's polyps are extended. both have completely lost their color. the acropora came to me stressed and brown colored more than purple. the birds nest was a beautiful pink color. shortly after introduction lost every hint of color. not sure what else i can do, i don't want to lose them. if anyone has any suggestions i would greatly appreciate some help. thanks in advance. in the meantime i will post pics.

 

[Bob 1000]

How long are you running your lights?? and what par are they?? and how close are they to the top of the water?? And how bout those phosphates???

 

[finksmart]

i have relocated these two dozen times with no effect.

I think there is the reason. SPS don't like to be touched or moved. Some may tolerate it more than others. The aquacultured ones can tolerate being moved better than others. I have pieces that bleached, browned or even RTNed on me from me simply moving it just once, let alone two dozen times.

 

[NYreefNoob]

and what are you using to test parms with and what do you consider ecellent ? and what all did you test for ?

 

[ESSELO]

system has been running since february.

lights: actinics go on 1pm-2:30am, mh go on 3pm-12:30am, blue night leds in between.

not sure about par, little over my head at this point.

phos-tests show undetectable

 

[ESSELO]

i tested calcium, alk, salinity, ph, phos, ammonia, nitrate nitrite. all came back within range.

 

[NYreefNoob]

What brand kits and mh are on too long and what is good range to you ? Not being funny

 

[jhale]

i've tested the water, all parameters are excellant. i have relocated these two dozen times with no effect. the acropora looks like it's dying but the birds nest's polyps are extended. both have completely lost their color. the acropora came to me stressed and brown colored more than purple. the birds nest was a beautiful pink color. shortly after introduction lost every hint of color. not sure what else i can do, i don't want to lose them. if anyone has any suggestions i would greatly appreciate some help. thanks in advance. in the meantime i will post pics.

along with the other questions, what size is the system, have there been any temp swings, what is the normal temp of the tank, what SG do you keep it at, are you using ro/di water or tap water, and where did the colonies come from?

are there other corals in the tank that are doing well?

 

[ESSELO]

i think the test kits are api. sg= 1.025
temp= 75 degrees
alk=12
ammonia-undetectable
nitrite=undetectable
nitrate=1.0ppm
phos=0.2ppm
calcium-500 ppm

 

[ESSELO]

215 gallons, small temp change when mh come on. 72 degrees when off, 74/75 when on, no rodi i have a whole house filter on the tap water-i tested it and found no problems as well as a lab test, my other stuff is doing great (bubble, pipe organs, galaxia, zoos, palys, kenya, purple digi, feather dusters, various softies etc)

 

[NYreefNoob]

alk is too high and cal is on the high side, reason i ask brand of kits alot of them are less accurate, what do you use to measure salinity ? and a temp swing can do it quickly as well

 

[ESSELO]

I understand. I'm not overly sensitive-i appreciate the help. I use a refractometer for salinity. What are some things i can do to get control here. Will i lose these two pieces you think?

 

[Bob 1000]

Fairly new system also..

 

[jhale]

the temp is a bit on the low side for SPS most like to be in the 77 range.

the alk is also high, 9 would be better than 12 and a CA of 400 would be fine.

the SG of 1.025 is good. I think the SPS might have been shocked going into your system. those parameters are not terrible, but the coral would have to grow up in them to tolerate them. SPS are pretty finicky, they don't like change, I think that was the problem in your case.

 

[NYreefNoob]

what salt are you using ? id do a wc to help get parms in check and temp really is on the low side for a reef. i keep mine 77-79 alot of variables with sps and ur tank is on the new side for sps

 

[ESSELO]

thanks

thank you guys so much. i am going to make some of these adjustments. i had the temp on the low side because of the possible differential with my chiller. but now i see my numbers are off a bit.

 

[ESSELO]

i use reef crystals. i'm gonna do a wc as soon as i get home tonight. it's due anyway.

 

[ESSELO]

Are api good test kits?
How can i regain control of alk?
Will these changes disturb the other coral e.g. Softies?

 

[Bob 1000]

Alk swings will kill Sps.. Try to keep it as stable as possible..