We are new to the club but have had our 2 180 gallon reef tanks along with a 100 fish only and a 92 corner tank with fish and a few anenomes. We seem to be having some problem with our SPS corals losing there color and turning a very unpleasant brownish color. They are still alive but not as colorful as we would like them to be. On one of the 180's we run metal halides 3 x 400watt radiums and the other 180 has 3 x 120LED's. Both tanks seem to be having the same problem so we assume it has some thing to do with the water as they are both on the same sump system. Our salinity is at 1.025 no phosphate no nitrate or nitrite problems. Any ideas???
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Color changing problem for SPS
- Thread starter AquaJim
- Start date
new2saltyfish
Non-member
mag is a little low...i keep mine around 1350...not sure if 100 would make THAT much of a difference but it's a start; mag effects colors a lot
Red bugs can cause it. Also if there was any new nutrient rich food, or amino acids being fed or dosed, that can cause browning out.
delta
Impatient Reefer
well those would only be an issue if regular maintenance is not performed
Perhaps the OP could give us a run down of parameters and tank husbandry/maintenance. As well as any algae cyano issues. It would help everyone see the bigger picture.
You may see no nitrates or phosphates but they can be there if you are having bacteria or algae issue. there is no need to test for nitrite in salt water.
Parameter to check
Ca, Alk, Mg Nitrates, phos, salinity PH
Ca, Mg & Alk are extremely important when keeping SPS
How often are you doing water changes and how much are you changing
how many tanks are on each system or are they all separate?
the more info you give us the easier it is to see the issue.
the parasite issue is real. AEFW are within the club as well as redbugs, everyone should be learning and treating./quarantining for these among others.
Hope everyone did treat/quarantine after the auction? I imagine at some point a disclaimer/warning was given... hopefully?
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We do water changes 25% once a month. The two 180 gallon tanks are on the same 100 gallon sump system. Recently we have added more fish to our tanks and have been feeding every night silversides brine shrimp and krill. Would this cause the browning?
As we are still fairly new at this, I dont know about redbugs. Would we be able to see them? How would we get rid of them?
I one of the 180's we do have some reddish brown alge but not in the other 180 and they are both connected to the same sump. We really appreciate all the input.
Thanks :.
As we are still fairly new at this, I dont know about redbugs. Would we be able to see them? How would we get rid of them?
I one of the 180's we do have some reddish brown alge but not in the other 180 and they are both connected to the same sump. We really appreciate all the input.
Thanks :.
If youve added more fish and more food then more than likely you are increasing you PO4 and NO3 from the food and fish waste. What type of skimmer do you have? if you increase youre waste input you need to increase your waste export. There are a few ways to increase waste removal...skimmer, refuge, GFO, carbon dosing, algea scrubber. Personally I think better skimmer or appropriate sized fuge is a good way to increase your nutrient export.
delta
Impatient Reefer
depending on how heavily stocked the Fish only is you might have a hard time with SPS if you are not very diligent with maintenance. With a large fish load you want to do 25% at least twice a month but once a week until you get thing in order would be best.
The fact you most likely have Cyano means you have nitrates and phosphates. The algae/bacteria are taking it up faster that you can test for it.
To start
I would step up water changes 25% weekly
blow of the LR in the tanks before changing the water
and siphon off any detritus in the system.
make sure your skimmer is working properly and make sure it is adequate for the size of your system
Then you can research a bit more and come up with a long term plan.
The fact you most likely have Cyano means you have nitrates and phosphates. The algae/bacteria are taking it up faster that you can test for it.
To start
I would step up water changes 25% weekly
blow of the LR in the tanks before changing the water
and siphon off any detritus in the system.
make sure your skimmer is working properly and make sure it is adequate for the size of your system
Then you can research a bit more and come up with a long term plan.
How old are your halide bulbs?
We just changed the Halides to LED's and we hope it works out. I know we have a big enough skimmer. My husband would know better than me but I know when he purchased it he made sure it was more than enough for the 360 gallons it would be attached to. I have been working on bringing up the alk and it is now much better. I have been checking for nitrates and phosphates and both according to the tests are non exsistant.
We do seem to have some bubble algae in one of the tanks.
We do seem to have some bubble algae in one of the tanks.
