nutrient deficiency

[PHILYD1]

How do you know if your tank is suffering from "nutrient deficiency", I ask because i am going threw a situation in my tank that i believe is nutrient deficiency, I started running a DIATOM FILTER and think i may have stripped my reef of nutrients.. I have since lost a lot of the colors of my corals, there have a pastel Look to them, even my LPS Mushrooms that were once a nice blue color are now pale.. I do run a huge skimmer and dont feed a lot , i have 4 small fish in my 120g display, I am all out of answers I maybe Reaching for the stars here but i have checked and double check everything all levels are near perfect..

 

[Silverni2]

Have you changed lighting since this problem started?
Does your test kit read any nitrates or phosphates ( even the slightest?)
I've heard people say potassium helps color up corals but I've been adding it for a while and it doesn't seem to help.

 

[FaviaFreak]

you absolutely want some N03 in your system for growth and coloration

 

[Paul B]

I run a diatom all the time with no problems, the corals don't seem to mind

 

[FaviaFreak]

in my experience it affects sps more so than others corals when the N03 is too low

 

[ecchybridLE]

Get more fish !

 

[strgazr27]

A diatom filter is a form of mechanical filtration and will not strip nutrients from the water. It filters out solids and bacteria which some people don't realize. A diatom filter can remove suspended particles in your tank water down to 0.5 microns, which is quite small. Most bacteria average about 1 - 5 microns in size. The diatom filters will not remove dissolved organics in your water. They are also not really meant for long term use. It is highly unlikely that the filter itself is causing the issues your seeing. Now if your talking about it removing suspended food and waste that it will do. As SPS like super clean water I don't see how this could be an issue.

 

[FaviaFreak]

now that the water is polished it's possible the light has shocked a few corals

 

[motortrendz]

It could be if your nutrients are too low that you may need to supliment. Like when running an ULNS like zeovit that you will need to supliment amino acids, lugols solution, as well as trace elements to regain color.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[PHILYD1]

I dont even get algae build up on my glass really, I sometimes can go a whole week with out cleaning it and when i do its a very lite almost white film on glass with no color.

 

[mbg75]

So feed those corals! Mine were looking pale. Had no fish in for 8 weeks. Started feeding and color is coming back.