Corals Not Living

[sanman]

I have a 75 gallon tank that has been set up for several years. I keep live rock and saltwater fish in it only. Over the last two years, I have tried to add corals to the tank and all the corals I have added die over a short span ranging from 3 days to a month. I talked to several fish stores, researched on my own, had my water tested at several pet store locations and they cannot find anything in my water that would cause this problem. The following tests have been performed:
Cooper, Magnesium, Nitrite, Nitrate, Ammonia, PH, Alkalinity. (All tests are good.) I add all the required chemicals as well.
The odd thing is the fish and live rock continues to live successfully. Algae continue to grow as well.
I have the Coral life lighting system which is more than adequate and I change my bulb annually. This process has been a concern for two years. When I was moving and I broke down my Nano Tank which contained all my corals, I placed them in the 75 gallon saltwater tank and over a few weeks they all died. The fish and live rock continued to thrive with no problems.
I really want to have a coral reef and fish tank together but I cannot keep losing corals at the rate. I purchased 3 hardy corals according to the store, and they are not looking good. They are just 3 days old.
Please help me resolve this 2 year mystery.
Dear Andre,
There are many factors that can affect corals. Water parameters, lighting, water movement, and supplementation. You mentioned some of these in your email but you did not provide specifics, without knowing the exact water parameters, how much lighting, and what supplements are given we are unable to rule any of these out as the problem. Also you did not mention anything about water movement or what types of corals you have tried. We will gladly assist you in determining the reason why you are having difficulties with your aquarium. Prior to offering any specific recommendations, we will need some further details from you. If you could please provide us with the following information we may be able to assist in diagnosing the problem.
1. When were the water parameters last checked?
2. What were the results of the water tests?
a. Ammonia?
b. Nitrite?
c. Nitrate?
d. PH?
e. Temperature?
f. Salinity?
3. What type of lighting is being used?
4. What is the total wattage of light being used?
5. Do you have any water movement in the tank other than the filter? If so, please provide details.
6. What supplement are being used for the corals?
7. What types of corals have you tried?
Hello,
Here are the answers to some of your questions:
1. When were the water parameters last checked? May 15, May 16, June 18, June 21, and June 25. There were 3 water changes performed during that time. All results were the same.
>2. What were the results of the water tests?
a. Ammonia? Safe 0
b. Nitrite? Safe 0
c. Nitrate? Okay 40m
d. PH? Ideal
e. Temperature? 74.5
f. Salinity? 1023
3. What type of lighting is being used? AQUALIGHT Coralife Deluxe Series Single Linear Strip. 48 Inch
4. What is the total wattage of light being used? 130 Watt (2-65 watt lamps). 50/50 Bulbs. 2 each.
5. Do you have any water movement in the tank other than the filter? If so, please provide details. Eheim Filter system. Water movement on top of water. Also I have a (Aqueon) Circulation Pump 1250.
6. What supplement are being used for the corals? Kent Marine products: Liquid Calcium, Essential Elements, Strontium & Molybdenum, Iodine, Phyto Plex. I also starting using Nano Reef Part A & B because these supplements worked in my Nano Tank. Recently started using (Instant Ocean) Natural Nitrate Reducer and Purple Up.
Note: I have used these chemicals over the last 4 years with no problems.
7. What types of corals have you tried? Colony Polyp, Yellow, Toadstool Mushroom Leather Coral, Xenia, Green Polyp Leather, Mushroom, Red Mushroom and Evergreen Starburst Polyp.
Thank you for your assistance.
style="color: #632423">André

 

[monsinour]

What kind of fish are in there? Do you have a coral nipper in there? Maybe the fish are eating them. Compact flourescent bulbs arent the best to be placing corals under. What kind of corals were they that perished? Have you tried a mushroom or xenia yet? Before you get some basic 'starter' corals, why not look into better lighting? If better lighting isnt an option, then try a basic mushroom or ricoredia or xenia coral. If any of those 3 make it, then you will have a better idea of whats happening in the tank maybe.

 

[btldreef]

You really don't have enough lighting to support any corals other than non photosynthetics right now, this is probably a huge part of your issue.

 

[gemmy]

I see 3 (potentially 4) issues.
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[*]
As stated above, the lighting is simply not enough to support coral growth. I would highly recommend converting to either T-5's or metal halides. The wattage itself as a lone number looks like a high number, but you have to look at the PAR. The PAR is how the light penetrates in the water and how deep it penetrates. Power compacts do not have the ability to penetrate the water adequately to be able to sustain corals, especially in a 75 gallon tank.
[*]
I do not believe there is enough water flow in this tank. The aqueon pump that you have is not efficient as the lone powerhead on a 75. I would recommend that you add at least 2 more powerheads. Does the surface of the tank look like boiling water? If not, there is inadequate water movement, which will hinder the proper CO2 and oxygen exchange that occurs. Is there a lid on the tank? This can affect the oxygen exchange as well.
The supplements that you are adding could be an issue. I would recommend practicing good tank maintenance practices with routine water changes. By doing this, the water changes will "naturally" replace the trace elements in the tank. Do you test your water for each of the elements you are adding? (This brings me to the fourth issue).
Purchase your own test kits. I would go with API as a bare minimum test kit, but would recommend the Sea Chem test kits. You are the best person to test your own water. You know that the test is being done correctly. Do not rely on your LFS for checking water parameters that are crucial to keeping a reef tank alive.
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[flower]

Welcome to the site, I agree with Gemmy, you need more light, more water flow and absolutly your own test kits....however.....DO NOT GET API test kits...get the Seachem.
To keep healthy happy coral, keep nitrates below 20, 0 is best but soft corals will be fine under 20...at 40, inverts and coral will die.