Are my corals dying?
- Thread starter binhzino
- Start date
binhzino
Member
Originally Posted by ophiura
In order to even begin to help, we'll need to know far more about your system....
Age
lighting
SPECIFIC water parameters especially specific gravity, temp, alkalinity, calcium, pH, nitrates
types of fish, inhabitants
maintenance
any additives
That will get us started :yes:
Tank:
30 gal
SG: 1.023
Amm: .5
pH: 8.4
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 80
(my water is not okay right now bc i just replaced the CC with LS about 3 wks ago)
Inhabitants:
Dwarf Lionfish
Maroon Clown
Blue Hippo Tang (yes i know, its a baby one)
4 stripe damsel
Condi anemone
couple Astrea snails
blue leg hermits
turbo snails
feather duster
Maintenance:
syphon 2-5gal and replace with ro/di water every other wk
Lighting:
coralife 50/50
coralife actinic blue
In order to even begin to help, we'll need to know far more about your system....
Age
lighting
SPECIFIC water parameters especially specific gravity, temp, alkalinity, calcium, pH, nitrates
types of fish, inhabitants
maintenance
any additives
That will get us started :yes:
Tank:
30 gal
SG: 1.023
Amm: .5
pH: 8.4
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 80
(my water is not okay right now bc i just replaced the CC with LS about 3 wks ago)
Inhabitants:
Dwarf Lionfish
Maroon Clown
Blue Hippo Tang (yes i know, its a baby one)
4 stripe damsel
Condi anemone
couple Astrea snails
blue leg hermits
turbo snails
feather duster
Maintenance:
syphon 2-5gal and replace with ro/di water every other wk
Lighting:
coralife 50/50
coralife actinic blue
ophiura
Active Member
Agree-
You ammonia is a great concern. Has this been doubly checked at the LFS? It could be the test kit. I am extremely concerned if there is ammonia as after 3 weeks you should be seeing a decline (and with some nitrites - again, i wonder if the test is accurate - what kind of test kit?). I strongly suggest you get another reading from the LFS on nitrate, as that is also a concern.
I think you need to do water changes more frequently. At least weekly to start.
And I agree specific gravity should be 1.025-1.026 or so.
What is your alkalinity and calcium?
Are your lights PC lights or normal output?
How often and how much do you feed?
You ammonia is a great concern. Has this been doubly checked at the LFS? It could be the test kit. I am extremely concerned if there is ammonia as after 3 weeks you should be seeing a decline (and with some nitrites - again, i wonder if the test is accurate - what kind of test kit?). I strongly suggest you get another reading from the LFS on nitrate, as that is also a concern.
I think you need to do water changes more frequently. At least weekly to start.
And I agree specific gravity should be 1.025-1.026 or so.
What is your alkalinity and calcium?
Are your lights PC lights or normal output?
How often and how much do you feed?
binhzino
Member
Originally Posted by ophiura
Agree-
You ammonia is a great concern. Has this been doubly checked at the LFS? It could be the test kit. I am extremely concerned if there is ammonia as after 3 weeks you should be seeing a decline (and with some nitrites - again, i wonder if the test is accurate - what kind of test kit?). I strongly suggest you get another reading from the LFS on nitrate, as that is also a concern.
I think you need to do water changes more frequently. At least weekly to start.
And I agree specific gravity should be 1.025-1.026 or so.
What is your alkalinity and calcium?
Are your lights PC lights or normal output?
How often and how much do you feed?
I test the water at the LFS. I don't know how to test for alkalinity and calcium. Are your lights PC lights or normal output? How can I tell? I feed every 3 days.
Agree-
You ammonia is a great concern. Has this been doubly checked at the LFS? It could be the test kit. I am extremely concerned if there is ammonia as after 3 weeks you should be seeing a decline (and with some nitrites - again, i wonder if the test is accurate - what kind of test kit?). I strongly suggest you get another reading from the LFS on nitrate, as that is also a concern.
I think you need to do water changes more frequently. At least weekly to start.
And I agree specific gravity should be 1.025-1.026 or so.
What is your alkalinity and calcium?
Are your lights PC lights or normal output?
How often and how much do you feed?
I test the water at the LFS. I don't know how to test for alkalinity and calcium. Are your lights PC lights or normal output? How can I tell? I feed every 3 days.
binhzino
Member
Originally Posted by scoobydoo
It sounds like he only has the normal hood that comes with the tank with florescent bulbs. You can buy 50/50 and blues which I think are only between 18 and 30W depending on the length.
Nah this is a handmade hood. It has 24" 50/50 and blues of coralife.
It sounds like he only has the normal hood that comes with the tank with florescent bulbs. You can buy 50/50 and blues which I think are only between 18 and 30W depending on the length.
Nah this is a handmade hood. It has 24" 50/50 and blues of coralife.
dhughesz28
Member
High ammonia and Nitrate is definitely a concern and should be addressed right away!! That much ammonia is really bad, IMO. Water changes, lots of them to get your ammonia and NO3 down!! :yes:
After you solve your water quality problem, I would look into upgrading your lights. Chances are, you have the regular fluorescent lights, which put out 18 to 30W like scoobydoo said. That’s only 60 watts at the most for your tank. For corals you need at least 5 watts/gallon. For a 30gal, that’s 150 watts.
After you solve your water quality problem, I would look into upgrading your lights. Chances are, you have the regular fluorescent lights, which put out 18 to 30W like scoobydoo said. That’s only 60 watts at the most for your tank. For corals you need at least 5 watts/gallon. For a 30gal, that’s 150 watts.