6 replies to this topic

[lyz77]

Some of my SPS tips is turning white slowly for no reason!!!

What could be wrong..... I gonna give up liao as SPS is so unpredictable!!!

[Living_Stones]

not dying... yet. I think thats whats some wud call tip-burn. Usually, the stated cause is due to a high alk spike. ?

If its its due to high alk, then recovery is quick if you can bring down ur alk to NSW levels.

[Losmandy]

And do bring it down slowly...

[Vanquish]

IMO, even too low ALK can result in burnt tips... you gotta manage your ALK levels much better than what you're doing now...

[scarab]

As usual I ask,

What are your water parameters??? PO4 reading as well. Please use reputable test kits.

What's your bulb age? Photoperiod? Type of bulb?

When was the last water change? Salt? Type of water used?

Any nipping fishes in tank like dwarf angels, butterfly?

If possible show a photo showing location of wavemakers. What and how many wavemakers?

[lyz77]

Everything is the same as in bulb, wavemaker, photoperiod, etc..... Once I notice most of my SPS tips start to turn white, I immediately do a 20% water change. Should I continue to do water change on a weekly basis?

Any tips on controling the alk? Correct me if I'm wrong but does Rowas PO4 have an impact on alk as I can't recall where I read an article abt Rowas!

[coralsea]

Hi There,

I'm sure Vanquish and Scarab will answer all your questions.
I hope you guys don't mind me adding my 2cents.

Lyz77,
In my experience. I would definitely check PO4. If you're getting
cyano bacteria(brown algae growth) bloom, it's a sure sign of
PO4 peeking a tad. This has a major effect in slowing down
coral growth.

The other thing is, like Vanquish said, make sure your Alk
and Calcium levels are good.

Ca: around 380 - 450ppm
Alk: around 7-11 dKH.

Waterchange will help bring NO3 and PO4 down. But if you
do a drastic waterchange it can make things worse. Especially
a sudden 20%. This will stress your corals even more. Bad Idea.

But there is hope...
Check your Alk, PH, Ca and make sure those levels are good.

I'd start there and then move down the list. Just eliminate what
could be causing the problem. Don't react too rationally. I've been
there, so don't loose hope.

Once you have stabilized your Parameters.
Then it's safer to do a waterchange.

Always stay on top of Alk, PH, Ca and if possible Magnesium too.
So important. The rest of it like lighting and circulation can be
checked and adjusted afterwards.

Hang in there!:)

One more thing. Do you dose Ca & KH manually or with a
Ca Reactor and Kalk Stirrer?

I dose manually. Because I have free time and a small system.
I have majority SPS, and they consume Ca and KH levels fast,
which is good at a high PH. I dose Magnesium, Ca, KH (Monday to Friday).
Weekends are off days. I also keep a high saturation
of Ca & KH. Ca: 400-450, KH: 8-10.

Magnesium is also so vital. I dose within the suggested application.
Ma is used up by the Corals when they grow. It also helps to keep
your KH levels up(thats a more complicated tale to tell).
A lot of commercial sea salts don't have high enough Magnesium
levels to support Ca & KH. This is why I still dose Magnesium.

I've never heard of Phosphate Removers to have such a great
impact on these levels.

Edited by coralsea, 02 August 2007 - 06:57 AM.