"semi live rock"

Discussion in 'Live Rock' started by target001, Oct 7, 2007.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. target001

    target001 Skunk Shrimp

    Joined:
    May 31, 2007
    Messages:
    293
    Location:
    South Australia
    hi guys

    i have a problem with my live rock, i put it in my tank it lasts about a month and the colour seems to fade as if it were dying? the color goes from bright reddy pink to fadded pink almost white and kinda stays there till it disapears

    all my tank lvls that i can test are fine
    PH:8.6
    ammonia:0
    nitrite:0
    nitrate:30
    calcium:350
    i have T5 lights
    and 2 canister filters = 1500 ltrs per hour <145 litre Tank>
    and a skimmer that skims about a full cup of wet skimate every 2-3 days
    i have about 15 kgs of "semi live rock" in the tank

    thanx in advance for any suggestions:)
     
  2. Click Here!

  3. geekdafied

    geekdafied 3reef Sponsor

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2006
    Messages:
    3,941
    Location:
    TX
    Your calcium is low, ph is a little high, need to test for magnesium and KH or DKH instead of ph. Once you get the balance of those 3, coraline will explode on you.
     
  4. clownfish

    clownfish Skunk Shrimp

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2007
    Messages:
    287
    Location:
    Fremont, CA
    I gotta ask, I know this ain't my post, but, what you're saying is, calcium, Alkalinity and magnesium must be at a certain level, but what are those levels? I know the pH, but not the rest.
     
  5. geekdafied

    geekdafied 3reef Sponsor

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2006
    Messages:
    3,941
    Location:
    TX
    Alk 8-12dKH
    Calcium 400-450 ppm
    Magnesium 1250-1350ppm
     
  6. clownfish

    clownfish Skunk Shrimp

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2007
    Messages:
    287
    Location:
    Fremont, CA
  7. geekdafied

    geekdafied 3reef Sponsor

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2006
    Messages:
    3,941
    Location:
    TX
    The cycling process, you're just wanting to grow bacteria. Coraline comes after its cycled or almost over. As for dosing calcium, make sure you have a good test kit so you dont accidently over dose cause too much Ca throws everything else off balance, the same not having enough Ca.
     
  8. Click Here!

  9. target001

    target001 Skunk Shrimp

    Joined:
    May 31, 2007
    Messages:
    293
    Location:
    South Australia

    my tank has been setup for a year surelly its not still cycling is it? i do have greeny brown algie about the tank so it could be.

    as for adding calcium i add supplement calcium every week with a my water change and havent seen my calcium lvls rise over 350 (maybe the text kit is ****) the salt i use also contains salt suplement

    i use redsea salt,
    and redsea calcium +3 contains: calcium,strontium,molybedenum and iodine

    what else should i look for in a cycling tank apart from algie?
    what can i do to get the cycling process over? eg: take all the fish and coral out
     
  10. geekdafied

    geekdafied 3reef Sponsor

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2006
    Messages:
    3,941
    Location:
    TX
    I was referring to clownfish still cycling his/her tank.

    What lights do you have on your tank, target?
     
  11. target001

    target001 Skunk Shrimp

    Joined:
    May 31, 2007
    Messages:
    293
    Location:
    South Australia
    i have t5 ho 1:actinics 1:16k
     
  12. Otty

    Otty Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2006
    Messages:
    6,467
    Location:
    Elizabethtown, IN
    +2 on that. Got to know what your Mg is.