Dying corals

Discussion in 'Coral' started by Zero_Dude, Jan 19, 2014.

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  1. Atticus818

    Atticus818 Eyelash Blennie

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    Do you have a TDS meter on it? or a handheld? 10 months and the membrane should be fine, but perhaps the carbon etc. ones have lost their potency.
     
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  3. Zero_Dude

    Zero_Dude Fire Shrimp

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    No TDS meter of any kind..
     
  4. Atticus818

    Atticus818 Eyelash Blennie

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    May be worth looking into. That could be where a portion if your likely elevated levels are coming from.
     
  5. Zero_Dude

    Zero_Dude Fire Shrimp

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    So things to get... Reactor, Nitrate and Phosphate test kits, and a TDS meter. I'm going with Hanna for Phosphates, but it doesn't look like they make a Nitrate test.. And for a reactor, I'm probably going with the one Atticus suggested; I just have to wait for someone to get back to me on that. I'll be getting this for TDS: ReefSupplies.ca, your Canadian online reef aquarium store. . Anything else?

    I'm bringing some water to my LFS to see what my Phosphates are at. (and everything else, but PO4 is my main concern right now)
     
  6. Zero_Dude

    Zero_Dude Fire Shrimp

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  7. Atticus818

    Atticus818 Eyelash Blennie

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    Sounds like a pretty comprehensive list. I would just snag a salifert for nitrate, it will be perfect for your needs. Plus, at some point shouldn't even really need to be used to test regularly.

    Theoretically, everything will just be at a nice constant 0 and the only tests you will need will be calc and alk and PO4 to determine a dosing regimen, less some signal pops up to alert you of problems.

    Also, that's a good TDS meter. I have seen one installed on a spectrapure system with great results.
     
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  9. Zero_Dude

    Zero_Dude Fire Shrimp

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    Thanks for the help. I'm not entirely sure how the TDS meter works, but I guess I'll be figuring it out when I get it!
     
  10. oldfishkeeper

    oldfishkeeper Giant Squid

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    sounds like you made some good decisions! Here's hoping that this helps get everything under control for you zero!
     
  11. Zero_Dude

    Zero_Dude Fire Shrimp

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    Thanks! Big bird is doing a bit worse. A few polyps are like.. peeling off?
     
  12. Av8Bluewater

    Av8Bluewater Giant Squid

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    Most likely this is an Alk/Calcium/Mag issue.
    Have you tested the fresh mixed salt? What brand salt?
    If you only have a few corals I agree that water changes should bring the parameters in line .. as long as it mixes with normal Alk, calc, mag.
    If your alk/calcium won't stay up there it could be the magnesium is too low.
    If the ammonia is really up there then there is another problem I would work on first.
    Look into some Prodibio Digest to help with NO3. If you have alge you have excess nutrients.