need help, soft coral problem

[khengchuan]

my tank have been cycle 3 weeks ago, ammonia =0, nitrite = 0, phosphate = can' remember what is the value, kh = 9 dkh, ph = 8.1 - 8.2, salinity / gravity = 0.125, ca = 400 mg/l
Then I started to add coral - bubble, leather, open brain, hammer, clams, colt coral.
The day to day as observed within 3 days, my colt don't seem to grow normail, the whole branch dropped from the first day I bought, then I throw away, hope that it will not affect water parameters.
I heard that leather coral take some times to react normail, but the outer layer of leather torn and turn to yellowdish within 3 days. LFS recommended me to give it up. Told me that probabbly due to my salinity which their salinity is 1.021.
Hard corals and clams are all ok
Need help.
thank you.

 

[azonic]

What kind of lighting are they under? The leather coral's description sounds like it was getting burned/bleached very badly if it was turning a yellowish color...The colt not quite sure....was it placed near any aggresive corals? ie. bubble? My bubble killed a colt coral with a sting...

 

[j21kickster]

i doubt that their salinity is 1.021- if they said yhat well... your salinity should be around 24-26 not 21

 

[khengchuan]

Thanx your your reply,
The lighting I'm using is 2 - 150W MH 10000K (arcadia), 2 - actinic , all these come in package model (www.arcadia-uk.com).
I 'm using the 3 series model.
The lighting is 25 cm from my water level. where my tank is 48" X 27" X 24" .
My bubble coral is not near the colt coral, about the leather....
I plan to buy one leather and colt coral again......I still have not idea what causes it.....
So is salinity 1.024 -1.025 is fine for soft coral,,,what's your parameter thenj,
thank you

 

[broomer5]

khengchuan
It's normally NOT advised to add any corals to a 3-4 week old tank.
Most corals are pretty sensitive - some more than others - and a tank that has just finished cycling really should be given some time to mature a bit.
Even though the water conditions and lighting "appear" right and ready, most corals do better in an established tank. Same goes for certain fish and invert species.
A new tank will normally pass through a few more stages over the next few weeks/months. Diatoms and algae most likely will appear, then if you have live rock, you should see the copepods and sand bugs.
It's not uncommon at all for your water chemistry to swing around some during this period as well. With the addition of green algaes into the equation, and the development of a good solid population of nitrifying bacteria colonies, the few months after initial tank cycle is really a delicate time to be adding ANYTHING to the tank. Fish, Inverts and Corals included.
You can add things - but it's best to do it gradual and slowly, with time inbetween each and every addition. Gotta let the system get used to and respond to the new change.
Then it's time to establish your water change routine and watch how the tank responds to "any" change you make.
New tanks do not respond well to changes.
Established tanks seem to handle the things we do, and changes we make, much better. More stable conditions.
Once you move through these post cycle stages, and your water conditions are suitable - this is the timeframe when many people feel it's okay to start adding a coral or two - slowly.
Your test kit results are always a good indicator of your water conditions, and everything may look good from these tests, but established stable tanks take some time - and time is the one thing we can't speed up.
No telling for sure from here what the problems are with your recent invert/coral additions - but I would imagine - it's related to them being placed into such a newly set up tank.
This is my opinion.

 

[jonthefb]

i agree with broomer that you are moving a little too fast. slow down. if there is one thing this hobby teaches you, it is patience. also you might consider you pH a little low. most people try to keep their pH around 8.2-8.4 but try to shoot for the higher level. you might try bujping your pH up a bit with some buffer.
i would do several small water changes over the course of the next week, and monitor your water parameters ovdr the course of this time, and see what happens.
good luck and keep us posted!
jon