55 gallon SPS reef- new additions (12/18/14)

i think I found my issue:

My salinity is up to 1.030 or 40 ppt

 

keep us updated if that resolves the problem over the next few days. I don't see how a salinity higher by a few will do that. I might be wrong but there are saltier waters that corals thrive in.

 

True, such as the red sea, but my coral have been in water that has been consistently sitting at 1.026 for at least a year and in another tank with similar salinity for their existence. They've adapted to the water that hobbyist tend to maintain. Shifts can effect them. I'm sure if you took an acropora frot he Red Sea and dropped it on the GBR, it would show some ill effects.

 

that's a good point as well. I believe Julian Sprung mentioned that in an article on acclimation as far as how much corals can handle a salinity swing.

 

Still slow STN on a few SPS. The red Planet has taken the worst beating, but it seems to have slowed down or even stopped. I have a valida that has gotten worse the last few days. Almost none of my SPS have polyp extension and haven't for at least a week, maybe 2.

My parameters check out, so I am just going to let things be stable still and hope for a successful outcome.

 

Well it's still getting worse. Another frag started STNing. That makes 4. At thus rate, I anticipate losing at least 3 of the 4.

Not sure what the deal is. Everything checks out put polyp extension is still poor.

 

I have some cuprisorb coming just in case, but snails and stars are fine, so don't think metal/copper is a cause.

Maybe lead from the solder? How's that effect coral?

I don't see any AEFL or red bugs.

 

Just got back from a 2-day work trip. It's inevitable, the acropra are all going to die.

 

Well that is a HUGE bummer.

Something must be a miss. You changed to LED right?

Bad test kits?
Bad batch of salt?
Bad carbon?
Refractometer needs to be recalibrated?

Only the sps?

 

Yeah, new LEDs.

Test kits are fine. Same kits I've been using for months.

Same salt bag I've been using.

Sane carbon I've been using.

Calibrated my refractometer.

My salinity did rise to 1.030. But I'm also wondering if a tiny piece of copper or lead from the LED construction fell in. Or maybe a little drywall dust from when I hung the lights.

Either way, a month later, it's still getting worse. Snails and crabs are unaffected.

Only my Acropora are STNing. Seritipora, montipora, mushrooms, Zoas etc. are fine.