Quote:
Originally posted by damura
Lately i have noticed Cyano bacteria together with SPS sporadic bleaching os my SPS's.
I have also noticed that my alkalinity dropped to 5.5dKh, so maybe i have fluctuations in pH.
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Congrats damura,
Chances are good a phosphate level is not the entire worry in play I believe.
You are duplicating the experiment that some scientist believe is responsible for the conversion towards a higher oxygen content atmostphere on earth that took place a few billion years ago or so.
The bad part is how you are getting there. And what's worse is that the high phosphate with the cyano growth is leading to the major reason for your SPS decline I believe.
The major reason is that the cyano is probably trying to grow on everything in site including the surface tissues of your SPS. And if the nutrient levels via phosphate are higher than they should be then the SPS is naturally under stress. Phosphate levels are pretty much a -0- level goal for SPS is recommended to keep them from going into stress. And add higher than normal nitrate and you're in the bonus round for SPS stressing.
Since the rise and fall of food nutrient (or too high a bio-load) is causing a rise and fall of pH, and thereby a rise and fall of CO2 and a rise and fall of phosphate is interferring with your SPS to take up Ca if I'm not mistaken. It's probably not too friendly for SPS. Ionic balance is probably doing a see saw with all of this as well.
Other than rotting food/excessive waste...Cyano likes another add-on as well.
You can or may also have bulbs that are wasted and need replaced. Spectrum shift, if really far can cause problems with some/most SPS and can lead to some more stress. And since the cyno is rumored to thrive in tanks with nutrient and bulbs that are shifted. Under stress SPS would not be loving life in that kind of environment. Bleaching, RTN are more likely if prolonged condition is maintained.
Current (ie no dead spots) is also associated with cyano prevention. But if the nutrients are not there, it's usually not as much of an issue.
Is your bioload off the charts?
If you are overfeeding, work on that. If that without enough skimming, upgrade to a higher output skimmer.
If you are not compensating for above then get to 20% water changes mark and get some GFO and lower the phosphates towards -0-.
If you have PC or VHO or over driven T5's and they are 8 months or more old you may need to spring for bulbs. If you are using MH's that are over 12 to 18 months old dependent upon type and brand you may need to replace those as well.
Consider upping your clean up crew to help(smallest hermits you can find and a good source of snails).
Take what you can use and toss the rest and I hope you get it all dialed back in.
Good Luck.