Sacul1573's 90g - RIP

Those ATI's can dominate, try running a fewer number of bulbs for a while. You running Biopellets also? I have seen people run BP for a few weeks (months) and it just completely starves the tank of all nutrients and the coral bleach out like in your photos.

EDIT: Didn't read the text associated with the photos before hand. LOL. I would move those ATI's up, have a buddy running them at 16" off the tank's frame and still lost a bit of color. Or run fewer bulbs.

 

Thanks... that was supposed to be my update months ago. It's been doing well though!

I am currently vodka dosing, and have scaled back to let some nutrients linger. I believe your buddy is Travis? I've been talking with him as well. I have them 14" off the surface right now, and I might remove 2 bulbs in the future.

 

Really? It's a 6 T5 fixture, correct? I had no idea T5 could be that intense!

 

Yeah, neither did I... and hence my current dilema. Letting the bulbs cook the coral for 4 months while trying everything else under the sun to fix the problem... didnt realize the sun was the problem.

I'm starting to find out that people with full mixed and SPS systems are running 6 bulb fixtures pretty high off the tank, or running 4 bulbs a little closer.

 

It's amazing what quality T5 bulbs can accomplish.

 

I have 6 ATI's and have not had similar results. My corals seems fine if not better.

 

^^ I know! How high is your fixture off the surface, JB?

 

Maybe 5in? factory legs that came with setup.

 

Yeah, I went through your build thread and found the pic. How are your corals reacting to the new ATI bulbs, JB? Do you see the "browning" stopping?

 

I run an ATI Sunpower 48" 6 bulb fixture. Its extremely powerful. I keep my fixture suspended above my tank 16" and I might move it up even a couple more. People underestimate the power of T5s, they can definitely nuke coral, I've done it myself.