fchidsey

Yes ! I would get bulbs with higher par outputs and in the 10K-14K range. 20k is for tanks that aren't worried about growth.

Ya I just ordered 14k coral vue bulbs. what do i need to do for burn in and coral acclimation and for how long?

all my other tanks had either vho or t-5 lighting.

Some people just run their MH's for less hours, some raise the lights and some use layered window screen. I use the last method. I place two layers of nylon window screen over some egg create (attached with zip ties) and remove one screen after one week. The last screen after two weeks.

The Favia is probably getting too much light. Try a spot that is a little more shaded than where it is presently.

How far are the bulbs off the water? What reflectors do you use?

reflectors are cheap w shape and the bulbs are 13 inches off the water may be 15.

on a side note the favia has been in that spot for about 4 months do you still think it's to high??

If the Favia has been declining that entire time, then yes. It sounds like you have it up in the rockwork. Why not move it down some? Show us some progression pictures if you have them.

Calcium is a bit low, and nitrate is a bit on the high side. I'd move it down, and make sure you don't have anything with sweepers hitting that coral day or night.

EDIT: It doesn't look like a light issue.

I'm working on those issues currently dosing 3.0 ml and I just did a W/C today so I expected the calcium to be a little low I used I/O so it should be up to par in a week or so.

I move the favia and have done two w/c's 30 gallons each so that's about 40% over five days I'll be testing water tomm.

Water changes are good but system itself should not creep up to 10 ppm nitrates. I would consider a refugium. I agree with others that nitrates are the first culprit.

I read and tried adding KNO3 to only 2 ppm to rid tank of cyano, like FW planted tanks do. It did work however delicate sps created very poorly and I won't do it again.

If the concern that your lighting is hurting your corals,you may lack proper Iodine levels.
Presence of iodine is vital to corals because it is used to detoxify excess oxygen produced by zooxanthellae.
This oxygen irritates sensitive tissue.
Corals and clams that appear to shrivel or close under intense lighting are likely attempting to shade their zooxanthellae symbionts to reduce the rate of oxygen production.
Iodide essentially bonds with oxygen to form non-toxic iodate, relieving the need to shield (close/shrivel) zooxanthellae and enabling the host organism to open more fully.

IMO ,the coral also appears wasting away because of lack of feeding ??