WHY!!!!

yes white as in dead. Last night I checked and the phos is way down, almost 0. I added the gfo all at once but for some time have had some in a media bag in a filter sock, and also stole a powerhead off another tank so hopefully things will turn around.  I dont think Im feeding enough and the fact there havent been fish in the tank for a month may have something to do with it. Slimer is still alive, I was going to toss it last night and it slimed!!!! It was flourescing this morning under the moon lights! it may make it ! fingers crossed!

 

When starting any type of nutrient reduction it's best to start slow, your corals had a higher zoox density which gave them more of a brown appearance. When you drop nitrogen levels or phosphate levels fast the zoox may die or leave the host. If the coral does not have enough food from another source it will start to die untill a balance is achieved again. With that said I wouldn't go overboard on feeding either bc you are trying to lower that PO4 level. The key is to find that happy medium so that things are fed but you don't fuel algae growth and excessive zoox denisty.When feeding did you notice the corals messentaries (stringy white stuff) around polyps?

I'd still like a temp reading too

Fingers Crossed Too!!

 

k Ill get a temp check when I get home from work. I really didnt notice anything when i feed. Guess I need to pay more attention.

 

First I would like to thank Ryan for his advice in this thread. I too have been having problems with SPS lately and it great to have advice from one (edit) of the best in the state. Others I have great respect for have also given good advice here as well, but it is nice to hear from a founder of GIRS.
Second, fishyness the API PO4 test kit does not measure in low enough levels for reef. If I remember right the lowest reading on the card is one or above. For SPS in a reef you need to be below about .05. Please correct me if I am wrong gentleman. I like Seachem as it is easy to read in the lower levels.

 

home now. halides have been on 2 hrs. temp is 82.3 Ive extended my MH photo period from 5 hrs to 7. Was that part of it? I also when I get home take the eggcrate off the top, I think it does block some light. Things dont look better, but not worse either. BTW got the urchin out, he WAS eating my corals. Reef safe my foot!
And I agree thanks so much for the help, I really appreciate it.

 

78.7 when halides are off

 

That's almost a 4 degree temp swing during the day. IMO, that's quite a bit. In comparison, my temp swing is less than 1 degree.

Are you running a controller? If so, might want to add a fan that blows over your display tank or sump if the temp goes too high. If you don't have a controller, then just have the fan on whenever the halides are on..

-JB

 

or I could just tell the hubby I HAVE to have LED's

 

I don't have much input to give here, but I would just like to give a link to a cheap phosphate tester that BRS has. It's only $50, I know a guy who bought it, from what I heard from talking to him about it, he liked it. This will give you a digital reading, much much more accurate than trying to read a chart! When I get some money saved up again, this is going to be my next purchase!

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/test-kits/hanna-checker/hanna-checker-phosphate-po4-colorimeter.html