I'm Stumpted.... Help

Discussion in 'Coral Health' started by MadMatt, Apr 17, 2015.

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  1. MadMatt

    MadMatt Plankton

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    I had a 65gal bow front for 5 years with corals and fish happy and healthy..... Then about a year ago I upped my tank to a 105gal with a 60gal sump. I prepared new tank with new water, new sand and about 50lbs of extra rock and let all cycle out until parameters were correct. Then I took everything from my 65 gallon (except old sand) and moved it into my 105. All looked good for about six months with normal water changes and standard maintenance. But for the past three months I have noticed poor growth and now it's to the point corals are not opening and dying. Hammerheads are shrinking and losing color, Zenia's have melted away, orange polyps closed and now releasing from rock, all green polyps no longer open at all and all leathers have shriveled and on the verge. I have been checking my parameters 2 to 3 times a week and have now visited two different LFS to check my test. Thank you for the help and advice :)


    For the past two months I have upped my water change to 10 to 15 gallons a week
    Changed all filters in RO system
    But things are still slipping

    I have considered dosing Kalk to balnce my alk and cal but hesitate as these have stayed level and consistent

    Tested with Nutrafin master test kit
    Salt- 1.025
    Calcium - 460
    Ammonia,phosphate nitrate all 0
    Ph at 8am 8.1 and 4pm 8.3
    Alkalinity- 70
    Iron -0
    77 degrees


    105 display
    60 sump
    2 Ai sol blues- running about %90 of both blues for about 6hours a day
    Vortech mp40
    Coral life wave maker 2600- (set on low)
    Eshopps S120- seemed to be running in OD so I added a PSK-75 that I had in my basement. Both have to be emptied weekly

    Before and after photos soon to follow


    Thank you all for reading and your help is greatly appreciated
     

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    Last edited: Apr 17, 2015
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  3. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    Hi MadMatt,

    Welcome. Lets start with the alk value, that can not be correct, I think you mean dkh 7.

    Always double check Sg against something else when in doubt. I have had both refractometers fail and hydrometers long term.

    Salt mix please?

    Edit: Do you dose anything?
     
  4. MadMatt

    MadMatt Plankton

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    My test of KH gives me a 70mg/L Divide by 50 = 1.4meq/L = Dkh3.92 I think I did that correct:)

    Just calibrated my refractometer and retested. 1.025. Kent marine

    No dosing of any kind
     
  5. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    Well if that is indeed your true value that would be the problem. I find that a very odd value, way too low for any salt mix or NSW. Exactly what test kit are you using?

    Here is a conversion link:


    http://saltyzoo.com/SaltyCalcs/AlkConv.php

    Edit: Oh mag level, if your alk is that low please?

    Thank you. ;)
     
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  6. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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  7. mdbostwick

    mdbostwick Vlamingii Tang

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    How stable is your temperature as well?
     
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  9. MadMatt

    MadMatt Plankton

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    Temp dips to 76 when Top off kicks in but I have never seen it go below 76 or above 77

    I will get me a mag test tomorrow and get that number. An suggestion on best mag test?


    I'm currently testing using this test kit

    http://www.amazon.com/Nutrafin-Master-Test-Contains-Parameters/dp/B0002568FO

    The KH test is this/ 5ml of tank water..... Count drops added to water until color changes from blue to yellow. Drops x 10 = mg/l(ppm)
    7drops= 70mg/l that = 3.9 DKH

    My LFS told me that low DKH shouldn't be effecting my soft corals as long as it's stable and not swinging.
    But this answer has not sat well with me.. :-/
     
  10. Magnus

    Magnus Sharknado

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    Gotta dose some Kalkwasser.
     
  11. Billme

    Billme Eyelash Blennie

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    Hey Matt, I had difficulty finding the instructions online for your test kit. It seems like you have some confusion on what the kh is reading. I suggest you don't take any action until you are sure of what your chemistry really is. If you are unsure, I suggest you confirm your results with the lfs.
     
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  12. DSC reef

    DSC reef Giant Squid

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    Make sure you get your values correct, I agree with ball game. Taking action now might make things worse. In the event your readings are correct then you have ionic imbalances that can be corrected with manual dosing of alk, calcium and magnesium. I prefer aquavitro but many good products are out there, just stick with one that works for you. I think trying Kalkwasser at this time could complicate things and that's why I suggest manual dosing. If you can maybe try test kits from salifert or red sea.
     
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