Any reason softies thrive but stonoes are struggling?

bamadws56 · 10/08/2017, 10:26 AM

So my tank seems to doing great, but recently, my SPS started struggling. It started with my birds nest, which have always thrived. They bleached out and died. Now another sps looks like it may be bleaching. Meanwhile, my softies are experiencing explosive growth.

Parameters:
Ph 7.8-8.0
Alk 9.3
Cal 450
Mag 1350

0 nitrate, ammonia, etc.
I do have some film algae so I know nitrates and phosphates are present, just getting used quickly.

Thoughts?

mcgyvr · 10/08/2017, 12:53 PM

stability? has your alk been drifting any?

might want to run a polyfilter..

checked any magnetically secured devices for leakage?

bleaching or RTN/STN?
any change in light? what light?

billdogg · 10/08/2017, 12:55 PM

Soft corals, especially leathers, secrete turpines that will adversely affect stony corals. Skim more, and run carbon to help with the problem.

Uncle99 · 10/08/2017, 09:50 PM

Some SPS and softies do not mix well as their needs are different. SPS love high intensity lighting where softies do not. Some SPS play chemical ware fare so try running carbon.

ca1ore · 10/08/2017, 10:28 PM

How long had you kept softies and SPS together - was 'always thrived' a few weeks, months, years? Can be tricky to keep softies and stony corals in the same system - not impossible, but requiring of top notch filtration systems. If you had kept them together with success over a long period, then clearly look for things that have changed.

10/08/2017, 10:26 AM	#1
bamadws56 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 15	Any reason softies thrive but stonoes are struggling? So my tank seems to doing great, but recently, my SPS started struggling. It started with my birds nest, which have always thrived. They bleached out and died. Now another sps looks like it may be bleaching. Meanwhile, my softies are experiencing explosive growth. Parameters: Ph 7.8-8.0 Alk 9.3 Cal 450 Mag 1350 0 nitrate, ammonia, etc. I do have some film algae so I know nitrates and phosphates are present, just getting used quickly. Thoughts?

10/08/2017, 12:53 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	stability? has your alk been drifting any? might want to run a polyfilter.. checked any magnetically secured devices for leakage? bleaching or RTN/STN? any change in light? what light? __________________ Who me?

10/08/2017, 12:55 PM	#3
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	Soft corals, especially leathers, secrete turpines that will adversely affect stony corals. Skim more, and run carbon to help with the problem. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

10/08/2017, 10:28 PM	#5
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	How long had you kept softies and SPS together - was 'always thrived' a few weeks, months, years? Can be tricky to keep softies and stony corals in the same system - not impossible, but requiring of top notch filtration systems. If you had kept them together with success over a long period, then clearly look for things that have changed. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

10/08/2017, 09:50 PM	#4
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	Some SPS and softies do not mix well as their needs are different. SPS love high intensity lighting where softies do not. Some SPS play chemical ware fare so try running carbon.