Lowering Nitrates bleaching coral?

Hello All,
I recently had a nightmare algae problem. Returned from traveling for 5 months to a disaster. It's been about 6 weeks and the algae is finally getting under control.

I've been doing weekly water changes (the tank was filthy, despite hiring a "professional" to maintain it while we were gone), added a GFO reactor and last week, after giving up on my biopellet reactor (kept clogging) I decided to try Red Sea Nopox.

As of last week nitrates were down to 7ppm and phosphate was 0.06. At that time corals were looking good, algae had improved but was still "healthy."

Today the nitrates were 2ppm and phosphate 0.05 (roughly, the color was between 0.06 and 0.04). Algae growth has noticeably slowed, but my lobophyllia has started to have white spots.

I've read that reducing nitrates can impact corals and wonder if this is the issue or is there something else going on as well?

I've also read that using Reef Energy should help. I do plan on trying that, starting tomorrow, but wondered if I should be looking at other issues?

I'm pretty new to all this so it's a steep learning curve.

Thanks for helping a novice learn!

 

Got photos?
It doesn't sound like the nitrate is too low yet.

 

Perhaps the sudden changes? Just a thought.

 

If you have LEDs consider turning them down for awhile. It's possible that you've removed the nitrates and phosphates or the sum total of the dissolved organic compounds so quickly that the corals have not had a chance to adjust to the increased water clarity.

 

Agreed with all the above. Your Nitrates aren't too low, but reducing nutrients increases water clarity which, in turn, increases light penetration.

 

Thank you for the suggestions. Have turned the lights down and will watch for result and readjust slowly once it recovers.

 

I agree with the above posts as well. I think when something goes wrong we try and fix the problem ASAP. Everything in this hobby tells us to go slow and let it grow. If you go slowly at cleaning up the tank, you may find you have better results. Dont over think the situation and get to aggressive in trying to right the wrong. I think your corals and inhabitants will surprise you.

 

This is what I believe the problem to be. You have in essence increased the light to your corals with the cleaner water. You should adjust the light period with any lighting in this case.

 

Hello All,
The coral did improve for a while with a new location near the bottom of the tank.
Unfortunately it seems to have taken another turn for the worse. Here is what it looks like now:


I've tried a coral dip a few days ago but it doesn't seem to be helping.
Temp 78
Nitrate 1
Phosphate 0.36
Ph 8.3
Calcium 390
Dkh 10.4
Salinity 1.025

Is there any hope for it?

Thanks to all for your guidance and patience as we learn how to care for these precious animals.

 

It looks like it is in the shade. Is it facing the lights? Also i notice there is a powerhead in the picture, is it facing the coral? too intense flow will definitely beat it up. Just a couple thoughts.