Well to make a long story short my OCD approach to Reef Keeping has led to a white X-mas (90% of my SPS has totally STN'd . In preparation of my departure for Thanksgiving I decided to tweak my maintenance schedule on my 150DD Reef in the garage. A little background on what led me to do this. My Vertex Alfa 200 had overflowed (Skim locker had been removed) due to me shutting down the return pump to do a water change. A few days later I notice negative effects on my SPS colonies! I performed a 35 gallon water change in addition to changing carbon, and RowaPhos. Note to self when changing carbon from one brand to another i.e. ESV to ZEO take it slow. You ask did I test my water first. Yes the results were as follows.
Prior to departure.
RODI: 00ppm
Temp: 76.5
PH: 8.5
Alkalinity: 10
Calcium: 425
Nitrites: .0
Nitrates: <.02
Ammonia: 0
Phosphates: .0
Salinity: 1.025
Test results upon my return
RODI: 00ppm
Temp: 76.5
PH: 8.5
Alkalinity: 13.5
Calcium: 425
Nitrites: .0
Nitrates: 20 ppm !
Ammonia: 0
Phosphates: .0
Salinity: 1.025
My concern is what led to the swing in Nitrates so rapidly ? Could it have been the coral die off ? in addition to the rapid Alk swing which I would contribute to the lack of demand due to the decrease in healthy coral demand ? Well after all this I am considering on cutting back on the amount of tanks I am currently running and just concentrate on running the main display until we move back into our home. So look forward to a 150DD X-mas sell ?