DKH question

beckzilla

beckzilla

Member
I have been having a problem with corals getting brown slime disease and am wondering if i am not dosing the proper things to keep them healthy. First of all how do you check DKH levels and if they are low or high how do you get them in the proper range. I have also been told on this board about using Lupils dip or Kent Reef Dip to help get rid of my disease. Are these items that you add to the tank and how often. Also how important is stontium and magnesium. Please educate me.:thinking:
 
spmnarciso

spmnarciso

Active Member
First of all...
-Have you tested your water parameters? pH, nitrates, Ammonia, phosphates,calcium.
DkH can be tested with a Alkiniity test kit (salifert), but if your pH is ok, most likely your alk is within spec.
Lighting...what kind do you have? What size tank?
Circulation, any?
From what I have read, brown slime disease is caused by excessive nitrates, phosphates or silicates. Water movement is also very essential in keeping the corals healthy, by keeping them clean from algae growth and help them dispose of waste.
How long has your tank been running? Please list some answers to these questions, so that we can assist you further.
 
beckzilla

beckzilla

Member

Originally posted by spmnarciso
First of all...
-Have you tested your water parameters? pH, nitrates, Ammonia, phosphates,calcium.
DkH can be tested with a Alkiniity test kit (salifert), but if your pH is ok, most likely your alk is within spec.
Lighting...what kind do you have? What size tank?
Circulation, any?
From what I have read, brown slime disease is caused by excessive nitrates, phosphates or silicates. Water movement is also very essential in keeping the corals healthy, by keeping them clean from algae growth and help them dispose of waste.
How long has your tank been running? Please list some answers to these questions, so that we can assist you further.
PH=8.1..Ammonia=0..Nitrites=0..Nitrates=5..Alk=normal..Calcium=450..Temp=78.. 110 gallon..(2) 400W Ushio MH...(2) 110W super actinics... (4) Maxi 900s..(2) Mag 1800s.. running 13 months. Nitrates were at 50+ when the disease showed up.
 
spmnarciso

spmnarciso

Active Member

Originally posted by Beckzilla
PH=8.1..Ammonia=0..Nitrites=0..Nitrates=5..Alk=normal..Calcium=450..Temp=78.. 110 gallon..(2) 400W Ushio MH...(2) 110W super actinics... (4) Maxi 900s..(2) Mag 1800s.. running 13 months. Nitrates were at 50+ when the disease showed up.
Well the Nitrates 50+ will do it. As for flow, are the 1800's in your tank or are they for return and/or skimmer. Do you have a skimmer? Maintenance is key to keeping the nitrates down and nuisance algae away. As for "alk=normal", what test kit are you using? Salifert is the way to go, if you are concerned with "dkh". I keep mine at about 10.0-11.0. I would make sure that there is enough flow around the corals infected. keep them clear at all times. I have read that at early stages of the disease, a freshwater dip will help. The way I look at it, the more flow the better. I had about 5 powerheads in my old 150 and I was still unhappy with the amount of flow. I had about 2400gph just in my tank, not including the return pump. If you are really serious about this hobby, look into the Tunze systems, you can sometimes find them used and save yourself some seroius money on an awesome system.
Good luck
 
beckzilla

beckzilla

Member
spmnarciso, thanks for the reply. I kind of figured that the trates were my biggest problem and it was my fault as i hadnt checked in awhile. I was probably overfeeding too which i cut down on. I have one cleaner clam and plan on getting more and also had lost my plants in my fuge to hungry snails and just got some shaving brushes yesterday to help on the trates. 1800s are in my 30 gallon sump and i have a euroreef skimmer which i am not sure and have gotten many opinions on how high to keep the overflow tube at. Any opinions on that? Have shaving brushes in my 20 gallon fuge. I have Salifert kits but not one for DKH but will be getting one. I bought a cheap red sea kit but it only shows a high- low- normal range. On the Tunze systems i have heard of them but am not sure what kind of system you are recommending. Please educate me.
 
spmnarciso

spmnarciso

Active Member
The tunze, there are quite a few variations that come with different features. Just look them up and find one you like; pricey though. You could always build your own external closed loop. Probably alot cheaper. Buy a large pump, plumbing, Oceansmotions 4way or 8way. Then have the pump draw water from your tank and push it through the OM into your tank and several different locations. Trust me your fish and corals will love the extra random flow.
As for the 'trates, I had a Red Sea kit and let me tell you, it was way off. From your calcium reading and your pH, I pretty sure your alk is ok. I'd look into chaeto as a macro algae for your refugium. However don't expect a 20 fug. to do much with your nitrates...too small, but helps with other things(pod growth,stable pH).
Not sure of the euroreef, I find that trial and error is the only way to tackle these things. Somebody's down the road, could work differently altogether. Give the manufacturer a call, or try it different positions to see which one gives you more action and foam production.
Good luck
 
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