SPS color loss/rtn

sandshifter532 · 02/03/2008, 12:13 PM

I have had my 29g nano up and running for almost a year now. I have about 6 small sps frags 1 maxima clam 1 clown fish and a sands sifting goby.
My corals were all doing great up until lately when i notice 2 of the corals had loss of color. Also the 2 corals PE was very bad the one mille doesn't even look like it has polyps anymore.
The odd thing is that the 4 other corals seem/ look fine also the clam looks great also. I tested the water and the odd thing was my dkh seemed very high.

DKH 12 to 13

tested with API

Another thing i though it could be was maby phostphate. That came back 0, I tested that with API test kit also.

Then i tested for calcium that was on the low side 350ppm tested with seachem.

I have a 2 part solution how would i bring the dkh down and raise the calcium dose only part A?

Thanks for any help guys!

Mavrk · 02/03/2008, 12:31 PM

Just bring up the calcium alone. The Alkalinity will drop on its own.

Mavrk · 02/03/2008, 12:34 PM

This is a great read:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

Here is a calculator to use to determine how to raise your calcium:
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

sandshifter532 · 02/03/2008, 12:40 PM

Thank you so much that site was very useful! It says for my system i would have to dose 259ML to get it from 350ppm to 420ppm. They mean only dose 259ml of part A correct? I will make sure i dose it slowly also.

Mavrk · 02/03/2008, 12:49 PM

Yes, only part A. You don't want to raise your alkalinity, so part B should not be added until that is under control.

I would check your magnesium since your levels are off.

What is your pH reading? Did you try to do any pH corrections lately?

How old are your light bulbs? What type?

sandshifter532 · 02/03/2008, 01:46 PM

As far as lighting im running a 150watt MH with a XM 20k bulb. There is no supplement lighting just the Sunpod. Im going to test the PH right now and see what i get. I did try dosing kalk for the first time recently i dont know if that might have something to do with it.
I used a low mixture of kalk and used it in a auto top of doser i only did it for 2 days at most.

02/03/2008, 12:13 PM	#1
sandshifter532 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 121	SPS color loss/rtn I have had my 29g nano up and running for almost a year now. I have about 6 small sps frags 1 maxima clam 1 clown fish and a sands sifting goby. My corals were all doing great up until lately when i notice 2 of the corals had loss of color. Also the 2 corals PE was very bad the one mille doesn't even look like it has polyps anymore. The odd thing is that the 4 other corals seem/ look fine also the clam looks great also. I tested the water and the odd thing was my dkh seemed very high. DKH 12 to 13 tested with API Another thing i though it could be was maby phostphate. That came back 0, I tested that with API test kit also. Then i tested for calcium that was on the low side 350ppm tested with seachem. I have a 2 part solution how would i bring the dkh down and raise the calcium dose only part A? Thanks for any help guys!

02/03/2008, 12:31 PM	#2
Mavrk Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: California - South Bay Area Posts: 2,775	Just bring up the calcium alone. The Alkalinity will drop on its own.

02/03/2008, 12:34 PM	#3
Mavrk Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: California - South Bay Area Posts: 2,775	This is a great read: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm Here is a calculator to use to determine how to raise your calcium: http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

02/03/2008, 12:40 PM	#4
sandshifter532 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 121	Thank you so much that site was very useful! It says for my system i would have to dose 259ML to get it from 350ppm to 420ppm. They mean only dose 259ml of part A correct? I will make sure i dose it slowly also.

02/03/2008, 12:49 PM	#5
Mavrk Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: California - South Bay Area Posts: 2,775	Yes, only part A. You don't want to raise your alkalinity, so part B should not be added until that is under control. I would check your magnesium since your levels are off. What is your pH reading? Did you try to do any pH corrections lately? How old are your light bulbs? What type?

02/03/2008, 01:46 PM	#6
sandshifter532 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 121	As far as lighting im running a 150watt MH with a XM 20k bulb. There is no supplement lighting just the Sunpod. Im going to test the PH right now and see what i get. I did try dosing kalk for the first time recently i dont know if that might have something to do with it. I used a low mixture of kalk and used it in a auto top of doser i only did it for 2 days at most.