Help with polyps & mushrooms

[drew2005]

For the past couple days ive noticed that some of my button polyps havent been opening. Which seems weird cuz ive had them about about a month and a half without problems. I think my bullseye mushrooms are dead cuz they havent opened in like 2 weeks. Tested my water and heres what i came up with...
ammonia - 0
nitrite - 0
nitrate - 10 (will not get any lower but has been stable here for months)
PH - 8.2
SG - 1.028 (working on lowering)
calcium - 410
alk - 9.0
mg - 1290
phosphate - .10
temp - 80
My question is which could cause these corals to die? the high sg or the high phosphate? I cant figure out why my phosphate is high. I use RO water for everything. I feed every other day. I just dont get it. The sg was 1.028 with my refracto. My hydrometer reads 1.025, which is now in the garbage. SOmeone please help me.

 

[murph145]

most likely the high SG
for those corals i wouldnt recommend running it higher than .24 or .25
the phosphates are higher than wanted but as long as nuiscance algae hasnt over taken the zoo's or shrooms then its not the PO4's
id do some water changes adding fresh water.... watch your PH fresh water is more acidic
those corals are very hardy and even if closed for a long time may reopen and revive themselves if conditions are improved

 

[drew2005]

Originally Posted by murph145
most likely the high SG
for those corals i wouldnt recommend running it higher than .24 or .25
the phosphates are higher than wanted but as long as nuiscance algae hasnt over taken the zoo's or shrooms then its not the PO4's
id do some water changes adding fresh water.... watch your PH fresh water is more acidic
those corals are very hardy and even if closed for a long time may reopen and revive themselves if conditions are improved
Thanks for the help murph. I havent noticed any nuisance algae taking over. Although i have some small brown spots here and there and ive noticed some normal algae spots on the glass. Im hoping diatoms arent coming back from when i first cycled 8 months ago. How much fresh water would u recommend changing out at a time? i was thinking maybe 1 gallon every other day or 2 to get the SG down?

 

[murph145]

what size is your tank??
do u know why u have the PO4 problem??

 

[drew2005]

Tank size is 46 gallon. Im thinking maybe its the frozen food i feed. OR its the yellow tang i have in there. Could be pooping alot and causing the nitrate to stay at 10. I know its a small tank for a tang but i plan on upgrading in a year.

 

[murph145]

how often do u feed??
what kind of water do u use for changes and top offs etc....
sounds like u can do a 5 gallon change every other day and be fine
but do the change with salt water at like 1.022 SPG

 

[drew2005]

I feed a small amount of frozen food every other day and i clip seaweed in everyday for the tang. I use RO water from Walmart for changes and top offs. Only time i used tap water was for the initial fill which was 8 months ago. I actually have a 5 gallon mixed already at 1.023 would that be ok for a change?

 

[murph145]

yeah that would be fine for a change i would think
hmmm what other fish do u have in the tank??
do u have a canister filter?? if so id throw some phosban in it that stuff works great ur phosphates will be gone in a few days

 

[drew2005]

I have 2 percula clowns and the yellow tang. 70lbs of LR, bullseye mushroom, yellow polyps, hairy mushroom, button polyps. I had wet/dry filtration and im running a protein skimmer.

 

[murph145]

hmmm not sure why u have the PO4 problem if ur fish eat all the food it should be fine.... i feed pretty much everyday or skip a day here and there and mine are ok but like i said run some remover it will clean the tank up nicely make your sand look great and rock super clean

 

[drew2005]

Thanks for all the help. Ill pick up some phosban and try it.

 

[murph145]

good luck!
once u get ur SG down and work on the PO4's im sure ur polyps will rebound and come back

 

[wax32]

Originally Posted by drew2005
I feed a small amount of frozen food every other day ...
Frozen foods are often high in phosphates. What kind specifically are you using?

 

[drew2005]

Originally Posted by wax32
Frozen foods are often high in phosphates. What kind specifically are you using?
I use Prime Reef once a week and Mega Marine every other day.

 

[wax32]

Here's a test... next batch of saltwater you mix, put a normal "serving" of one of them in it and let a powerhead run in there to mix it up... wait a little while then test for phosphates. Repeat with the other food.

 

[zman1]

Test your top-off water for phosphates, you can rule that out quickly. If you have phosphates get a DI add-on or if you have one try changing the cartridge.