RTN prevention in Acropora

[hype]

My Acropora frags keep getting RTN, and I'm not sure what's triggering it. Tank's been stable for months, params are 8.1 pH, 1.025 salinity, 78°F. Running Radion XR15s, 10% weekly water changes. Any ideas?

[kodarix8]

RTN's tricky, but your params look solid. How's your alkalinity? I've seen swings under 7 dKH cause issues. Also, check for stray voltage or pumps blasting directly at them. Acros hate turbulence.

[finnley]

Dude, same thing happened to me last month. Turned out my alk was bouncing like a trampoline. Got a doser, problem solved. Maybe chill with the water changes too, 10% weekly's a lot if your salt mix isn't perfect.

[flumine]

Dude, same thing happened to me last month. Turned out my alk was bouncing like a trampoline. Got a doser, problem solved. Maybe chill with the water changes too, 10% weekly's a lot if your salt mix isn't perfect.

Yep, alk swings are brutal. Hype, what salt are you using? Some brands are sketchy with trace elements.

[hype]

Thanks, all. Alk's at 8.5 dKH, pretty steady. Using Red Sea Blue Bucket. Could it be the light intensity? I ramped up the Radions last week.

[Loyal]

Light shock's a real thing. Acros need time to adjust. Dial it back to 70% for a week, then bump 5% weekly. Also, what's your nitrate? Too clean can stress them out.

[zenfly]

My Acros thrived when I stopped chasing zero nitrates. Keep 'em around 5 ppm, and they're happier. Also, how old's your carbon? Old media can leach nasties.

[kodarix8]

My Acros thrived when I stopped chasing zero nitrates. Keep 'em around 5 ppm, and they're happier. Also, how old's your carbon? Old media can leach nasties.

Solid point. Hype, are you running carbon? If so, swap it every 3 weeks max. And test for phosphates—high PO4 with low NO3 is a recipe for RTN.

[Flynxter]

Check your magnesium too. Below 1250 ppm, Acros get cranky. And if you're dosing anything, double-check the labels. Had a buddy accidentally dose copper once. Not pretty.

[flumine]

Copper's a nightmare. Hype, you got any new fish lately? Sometimes ich meds linger in the water. Oh, and what's your flow like? Dead spots can mess with tissue health.