Why am i having so much trouble keeping acros?

Discussion in 'Coral Health' started by Godbert, Jul 8, 2008.

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  1. Godbert

    Godbert Montipora Capricornis

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    i also thought about getting a clam for the tank today to help bring down the nitrates, good or bad idea?
     
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  3. amcarrig

    amcarrig Super Moderator

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    If you're having trouble with sps, I wouldn't chance a clam at the moment. Clams are primarily photosynthetic and while they do consume a little bit of nitrate, it's not enough to make a difference in our tanks.
     
  4. Bogie

    Bogie Snowflake Eel

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  5. Godbert

    Godbert Montipora Capricornis

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    thanks alot bogie!
    amcarrig really? i asked the lfs and they thought it would bring it down to 0, their at 10 right now
     
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  6. amcarrig

    amcarrig Super Moderator

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    I don't think so. I've never heard of anyone using clams for nitrate control so I wouldn't do it. That being said, if you want to add a clam, your nitrate levels aren't severe enough to kill it but do not buy any clam that's under 3" as clams any smaller than that have a dismal survival rate in aquaria.
     
  7. Godbert

    Godbert Montipora Capricornis

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    good to know i almost bought a 2 and 1/2 in one today
     
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  9. geekdafied

    geekdafied 3reef Sponsor

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    Dont buy anymore livestock, you're having trouble keeping what you have right now. 5 Chromis in a 30g that isnt very old is kind of over stocking it. It takes a year to fully cycle a tank, thats because at 1 yr, people are usually done adding fish. Everytime you add livestock, that adds to your bioload. Your tank cannot keep up as it is. I would seriously thinking about a big HOB filter, if you already have one, put another one on there atleast for the time being so you dont kill anything else.

    Look at Fosters and Smith for dry goods, they have the best shipping and even with ground, you should have it in 2 days.
     
  10. antonym518

    antonym518 Purple Spiny Lobster

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    Ease up on the live stock. Doesn't make sense. Go and buy a clam, when you can't keep anything alive but a kenya tree and mushrooms. You are killing these beautiful animals. You need to have perfect conditions for acros. I do not have any yet. I don't feel that I am ready. There are the hardest of the hard to keep. You seem to not have any care about what you are doing. "Oh another acro died today, so I got a clam to replace it." Come on. Do a ton of water changes after you ammonia goes down. Use chemipure at all times, and add the right additives. I am not trying to be bogus, just think its crazy trying to keep acros in a tank full of excess nutrients like yours.
     
  11. Godbert

    Godbert Montipora Capricornis

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    i was able to keep acros alive under my vhos so when i got the metal halides i thought it would be easier, i am under no condition carelessly killing off these wonderful and beautiful animals, thats why i came here to figure out why i am losing them, the two that i have left are going to go back to the store, until i get the tank under control, also i didnt purchase the clam because i did not know if my tank was stable enough, i feel that you have been much too quick to judge in this situation
     
  12. antonym518

    antonym518 Purple Spiny Lobster

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    not judging, just letting you know that you making bad choices. I really love growing and caring for these wonderful animals. i just feel that some people are quick to let them die, and not care. just take care of your tank and evrything will grow and you will get tons of enjoyment out of it. You just lost a gonoipora and now acros, the soft corals will be fine. Start doing water changes. Of course with RO, and use good salt, seachem's is wonderful. Do three or four 5 gal changes. over the next week. Make sure you are dosing according to manufactures specs. calcium, alk buffers, elements, iodine, stron and molyb. Use chemipure. what is your filtration. also get more lr. Make sure it is cured. sorry if I seemed to act like a d@#$% bag