New to SPS, white tips after about 2 months

[Jdlc]

Like the title says I'm new to SPS. Started my tank in October of 2023.
Have a steady DKH of 8.2
Was at 7.9 last Thursday but was corrected with a water change and dosing by Sunday.
This was my last test prior to water change on Saturday
Ca 494
Mg 1566
Phosphate 0.8
Nitrate 35
Ph 7.9

Have been spot feeding with Brightwell Aquatics Restor 3 times a week since introducing to my tank

Any and all help appreciated!

 

[Dooly]

Do you have dinos? Can't really tell from the pictures, but dinoflagellates will kill sps from the tip down and you will see brown algae looking dinos coming out from the branch tips as well.
Here are more beginner sps friendly parameters:
calcium 400-430
magnesium 1300-1400
your phosphate looks fine, but nitrates are too high.. would recommend 10-20 no3
also, keeping sps alive will be easier around 7.2-7.5dkh alkalinity

 

[joseserrano]

White tips can be growth tips or Alk but.

 

[Jdlc]

Do you have dinos? Can't really tell from the pictures, but dinoflagellates will kill sps from the tip down and you will see brown algae looking dinos coming out from the branch tips as well.
Here are more beginner sps friendly parameters:
calcium 400-430
magnesium 1300-1400
your phosphate looks fine, but nitrates are too high.. would recommend 10-20 no3
also, keeping sps alive will be easier around 7.2-7.5dkh alkalinity

Thanks for the tips! I chose to keep my dkh at 8.2 because my friend who gifted me the sps had his tank at that dkh.
Never checked for dinos but maybe I should?

 

[Dutch_Roots]

Do you have dinos? Can't really tell from the pictures, but dinoflagellates will kill sps from the tip down and you will see brown algae looking dinos coming out from the branch tips as well.
Here are more beginner sps friendly parameters:
calcium 400-430
magnesium 1300-1400
your phosphate looks fine, but nitrates are too high.. would recommend 10-20 no3
also, keeping sps alive will be easier around 7.2-7.5dkh alkalinity

Is the phosphate okay at 0.8? I’m sure its at .08 but just wondering if .8 in your opinion isn’t an issue? Seems really high and just trying to get an idea on what is acceptable for phosphate level.

 

[Dooly]

Is the phosphate okay at 0.8? I’m sure its at .08 but just wondering if .8 in your opinion isn’t an issue? Seems really high and just trying to get an idea on what is acceptable for phosphate level.

I totally read that as 0.08….. if it’s 0.8 that’s an issue..

 

[Jdlc]

I totally read that as 0.08….. if it’s 0.8 that’s an issue..

Lol ok I let me see if I have any regent to test phosphate when I get home
That was prior the the water change I did Saturday
I cut back on feeding and haven't dosed the Restor since then

 

[Jimbo327]

Might be growth tips.

 

[drexel]

Nutrients are a little high and don't get stuck on the 8.2dkh, the testing error is far greater, so just stick to a range. 7-9dkh is perfectly fine, don't think 0.2 makes any difference at all, so don't fret. Water changes and some slow nutrient reduction over time will help the sps look better. Also, what's your lighting? Intensity, spectrum, etc?

 

[Jdlc]

Nutrients are a little high and don't get stuck on the 8.2dkh, the testing error is far greater, so just stick to a range. 7-9dkh is perfectly fine, don't think 0.2 makes any difference at all, so don't fret. Water changes and some slow nutrient reduction over time will help the sps look better. Also, what's your lighting? Intensity, spectrum, etc?

Currently working on the nutrients. Switched to spot feeding the fish to limit over feeding.
I attached a screenshot of my current light. Have it set to mixed reef and my sps are located in the highest rack of my tank. In the lower end of the upper third.

 

[Jdlc]

Here's a full view of my tank

 

[drexel]

Reducing feedings will only help a small fraction and isn't a viable solution long term. I think you may need to consider carbon dosing (nothing aggressive) or dosing lanthanum (into the skimmer body) to help reduce PO4. You can add bio media to help reduce NO3 like siporax or polyp lab's genesis blocks. Routine water changes 10-20% weekly will help too. What foods are you feeding and how often?