Coral QT tank- water too clean

[newfly]

I reposition my fish QT tank, Fluval 13.5 as my coral QT. Added a 4W blue led strip light as a supplement to the stock lights. The coral seems to be mostly doing "OK". More on that. Its been ~10days.

I notice the red monti cap start losing its color slowly and turning pink. It is sign of bleaching? Other coral seems to be doing well. The PAR on the rack is ~180 on a 10hours cycle.

I test the water and Nitrate (and likely Phosphate) is near zero. Is not surprising as i only have 1 small cleaner shrimp that need very few pellets a day.

I have 2 options I'm considering:

1. Use DT water for water change. Maybe a good way to get the QT the same water chemistry as DT slowly. DT have nitrate at 5ppm, Phosphate unknown- but Hanna checker is on the way
2. Feed heavier even if the tiny shrimp do not need the food


Which one do you recommend? or do you have a better suggestions?

Or i'm over thinking it and just let it be for a few more weeks.

 

[Apon]

I like option 1.

 

[newfly]

Did a 30% water change using DT water and all the corals close up . Arg... hopefully they will reopen tomorrow.
Is the white stuff looks like worms? Now that the zoa closed up, I can see weird stuff on the frag. Anything to worry about?

 

[Baykes]

Did a 30% water change using DT water and all the corals close up . Arg... hopefully they will reopen tomorrow.
Is the white stuff looks like worms? Now that the zoa closed up, I can see weird stuff on the frag. Anything to worry about?

Looks like feather dusters to me. Nothing that I would be concerned with

 

[Ibn]

You can also just use the skimmate from your DT...

 

[newfly]

You can also just use the skimmate from your DT...

Will do that. Great idea. Other than frogspawn, everyone is still stressed right now. I thought reefing is easy as i have a good run the first week! haha

water parameters check out OK minus low Nitrates and likely Phosphate. I read folks have low nitrates and phosphate and coral still thrive. So, hard to know waht is the issue.