Why have the tips on some of my SPS turned white?

[Jan]

Last week some SPS tips turned white, very little on the very tops. Why would this happen? I also have some green algae which I've never had before. I suspect that is from very old MH's, but I could be wrong.

Params -
cal 500
mg 1500
dkh 9
PH 8+
phosphate 0
nitrates .05
SG 1.026
temp 78.6

I run GFO in a NextReef dual monster media reactor which I change every 30 days. Last changed 7 days ago. I did increase the amount of GFO a little. could this be the culprit?

I do 15-20% water change every 7-10 days.

I dose B-ionic 2 part, Microbacter7 and Reef biofuel

<blush> My MH's were two years old. I just changed them this morning. I really have no excuse for this. T5's are only 6 months old.

Let me know your thoughts. Thanks
J

 

[duke62]

Alk burns or growth. Need pics to be sure

 

[KathyC]

A pic would be very helpful.

Clearly your white tip issue is not related to your just having changed out the MH bulbs (eek!) but since it has been so long it would be a good idea to add a couple of layers of window screening to the top of the tank until your corals acclimate to the new bulbs...so they don't get incinerated You might also want to cut the photoperiod by a couple of hours per day, and remove the screening one piece per week.

 

[Jan]

Thanks, Kathy. This I know about the lights.

The tips turned white last week. It isn't all my SPS, just my Acropora valida, tri-color and pearlberry. All the staghorn, setosa, formosa and tabling acros are fine. It's strange.

I'll post pics later.

A pic would be very helpful.

Clearly your white tip issue is not related to your just having changed out the MH bulbs (eek!) but since it has been so long it would be a good idea to add a couple of layers of window screening to the top of the tank until your corals acclimate to the new bulbs...so they don't get incinerated You might also want to cut the photoperiod by a couple of hours per day, and remove the screening one piece per week.

 

[greybolt03]

How often do you test. Sounds like an ALK swing?

 

[Jan]

Usually 2-3 times a week but only once in the last 2 weeks. An alk swing? Would it be too much or not enough to cause tissue loss.

How often do you test. Sounds like an ALK swing?

 

[Tonyscoots84]

pictures!

 

[Jan]

Here are the pictues -

 

[LowezAkar24]

Last week some SPS tips turned white, very little on the very tops. Why would this happen? I also have some green algae which I've never had before. I suspect that is from very old MH's, but I could be wrong.

Params -
cal 500
mg 1500
dkh 9
PH 8+
phosphate 0
nitrates .05
SG 1.026
temp 78.6

I run GFO in a NextReef dual monster media reactor which I change every 30 days. Last changed 7 days ago. I did increase the amount of GFO a little. could this be the culprit?

I do 15-20% water change every 7-10 days.

I dose B-ionic 2 part, Microbacter7 and Reef biofuel

My MH's were two years old. I just changed them this morning. I really have no excuse for this. T5's are only 6 months old.

Let me know your thoughts. Thanks
J

Hey Jan, it could be one or a few things. Do you know what the par is on the coral from your lighting? Usually by the textbook, Calcium range is 420-425ppm and Magnesium starts from 1320-1500ppm.
Is that coral at it's right placement in the tank?

 

[fishman1069]

I was under the impression that white tips on SPS either means too much light or growth. Don't acros skeletons grow first and then the flesh follows? I could be.wrong on this, I'm kinda new to keeping SPS. I just got a poci frag from a buddy and the tips were white. After a week in my tank, they are all covers with flesh and polyps. I'm thinking it was the change in lighting. I have t5s and the frag was under MH. Hth

 

[Jan]

It is the combination of dosing carbon and having a dkh of above 9, is what I found from a member in another club I belong to.
Really good read on carbon dosing - http://reefkeeping.c.../nftt/index.php.
Thanks, everyone.