Not happy with my tank

[snakeblitz33]

When I say sterile maybe I'm using the wrong words.... The coral foods are only part of what corals need. There is iron, iodine, calcium just to name a few...maybe get test kits for the trace elements, it's possible the Instant Ocean crystals are not adequate or it could be the other way around and there is too much of something.
It's a possibility that instant ocean doesn't have all the trace needed to support the corals I have... but I have no clue then why my coralline is taking off so well. Friday I am going to my LFS to buy some of their water - it's Seachem Reef - so I might do a few water changes with it and see if my monti starts to become unbleached. That's one idea.
I just have to change a little at a time and see what works. Every little bit of memory jogging helps!

 

[snakeblitz33]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tjbeams http:///t/391599/not-happy-with-my-tank#post_3473843
Seth, have you ever used copper in the tank your talking about now? If my memory serves me correctly (most of the time it doesn't, just ask my gf) I heard at my LFS that if you ever use copper some of it can get absorbed into the silicone or the glass sealant in the tank, which could give off just enough fornthe corals not to survive? Just a thought...
Welcome to the forums! Thank you for taking the time to sign up to post in my thread! Please, by all means - stick around and join the community! We would love to have you.
No, I bought the tank completely new from a big box store. Copper has never touched this tank, nor the water, nor any of the tools and equipment that I use to maintain the aquarium. I also do not have any brass fittings in or around the tank and I only use RODI water with ZERO TDS. Good thinking though. Keep em' coming until I can figure this stuff out.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Quote:
Originally Posted by rickross23 http:///t/391599/not-happy-with-my-tank#post_3473844
Do you dose?
Yes, I do dose and test my calcium and alkalinity regularly. I keep my calcium at 420ppm for the most part and I keep alk anywhere from 8 to 10 dKH as consistantly as possible. I also use epsom salt to keep magnesium levels elevated. Since Ca and Alk are often balanced, I know I don't have magnesium problems.
I sometimes dose Kents essentials to add additional trace elements to the water, such as iron, manganese, additional calcium, iodine, strontium, etc. etc. But I don't dose it often.

 

[kiefers]

have you tried reef crystals? Typically that is good salt.

 

[reefkprz]

have you tested your water for copper and Iron (both chelated iron and non chelated iron? you may have levels toxic enough for coral poisoning since sps skeletons will absorb it but not high enough for poisoning your inverts. so essentially the low levels can become high enough in concentrqation inside the skeleton to poison it from the inside.
another thought are your shrimps molting a lot? if they are its a sign of too much iodine.....

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/391599/not-happy-with-my-tank/20#post_3473848
I sometimes dose Kents essentials to add additional trace elements to the water, such as iron, manganese, additional calcium, iodine, strontium, etc. etc. But I don't dose it often.
Hi,
Do you test for such before you dose? If you do not, then ReefkprZ may have found your problem. If your reef crystal took care of such and you added even a little more but not often, it would be too much.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Quote:
Originally Posted by reefkprZ http:///t/391599/not-happy-with-my-tank/20#post_3473880
have you tested your water for copper and Iron (both chelated iron and non chelated iron? you may have levels toxic enough for coral poisoning since sps skeletons will absorb it but not high enough for poisoning your inverts. so essentially the low levels can become high enough in concentrqation inside the skeleton to poison it from the inside.
another thought are your shrimps molting a lot? if they are its a sign of too much iodine.....
ok. so,... course of action?

 

[reefkprz]

first course of action would be to test for Iron both chelated and non and copper in your tank as well as make up water. to make sure your RO is working as it should. IF the tank or make up water test positive you have to go from there.
you can handle overdosed Iodine in the same manner as listed below
tank test positive but not make up water: massive water change say 50% wait a week then repeat, cut back on dosing trace elements
tank and make up test positive change filters in RO check RO membrane for tears, and proper seating.
make up water test positive but not tank assume the heavy metals are being adsorbed to lower than testable levels (which would surprise the hell out of me). in RO unit check for damage seating and lifespan of filters. replace as needed, do 50% water change wait a week repeat.
neither test positive ??? look for a different possible problem

 

[sweatervest13]

Very interesting read... I would like to find out if that is the issue.
Seth, let us know how the tests go.
Do you have any corals that are doing good?? I know you are going for an SPS dominant tank, but do you have anything else in the tank that is thriving??
BTW, I like the idea of having the two clowns in the sump. LOl.

 

[snakeblitz33]

I'm going to see if my new Lfs has a copper test kit if he will test my water. I know I did copper test kits for people when I had my store.
If he doesn't have a kit, I'm not going to spend the $30 on one for one test.
I'll buy some quality salt mix with that money and start doing copious amounts of water changes and see if it perks back up. I also plan to ditch my GFO temporarily and fill my reactor up with carbon. Maybe that will help some.
I'm going to try to set up my profilux 2 controller so I can better monitor my temp and pH.
During my next water change I think I am going to completely clean the sump out and change the sponges out. I might even add sand to the refugium and replace the bulbs.
I guess it's just going to take time and effort.
I would like to have this figured out soon. Im drilling a 55g with the beananimal overflow in the next couple of weeks. Upgrading a little.

 

[mr. limpid]

I second the comment about instant ocean, this product is not for corals, doesn't contain all the trace elements required for them. Reef crystals is the salt mix for corals. You never mentioned what your PH is at this is also important. Just my opinion if you are keeping SPS coral you need every test kit there is and test regularly. hope you find the problem hang in there buddy.

 

[acrylic51]

Seth some good reading info would be the big salt thread over on RC. No proof that IO can't be used on reef tanks!!!!! Ex supposedly has more calcium than IO. Again I'll advise to read the thread and make an informed decision.

 

[reefkprz]

Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/391599/not-happy-with-my-tank/20#post_3473947
Seth some good reading info would be the big salt thread over on RC. No proof that IO can't be used on reef tanks!!!!! Ex supposedly has more calcium than IO. Again I'll advise to read the thread and make an informed decision.
agreed. I have seen spectacular tanks run on IO. I would hesitate to blame it on the salt.

 

[rickross23]

IO?

 

[reefkprz]

IO = instant ocean salt
RC = reef crystals salt
both are made by the same company one "supposedly" has higher trace elements for reef life. instant ocean is their fish version and RC is the reef version.

 

[acrylic51]

Agree Reef.... If you guys read the salt thread you'll see there is really no salt that is the "bomb" as some might lead you to think. As each tank is different each tank will react differently within each system, so thereby saying the salt isn't designed for a reef isn't quite accurate IMO. As with RC & IO it could all be a marketing gimmick claiming extra elements.....
You'll find most guys use a mix of 2 salts to get their salt mix or water change water to where they want it or within range instead of buffering the heck out of 1 particular brand.

 

[snakeblitz33]

It might not be the salt. I've used io for years as well as seachem reef. Never seemed to make much of a difference before. They mix about the same.
I guess when I get home I will do some tank maintenance and re-check my water parameters.

 

[rickross23]

I use RC.

 

[snakeblitz33]

I think I might try to tear the tank down and use all fresh salt and set up the 55g in the next couple of weeks if it will hold out a little longer.

 

[ibew41]

1- did you buy your rock from a store or from someone on cl
2_-with small tanks ie 40g or less weekly water changes worked best for me larger tanks I can go up to a month
3-do you have any lps able to grow in your tank also if you have any leathers in there get them out
what kind of food are you using rods food 2 a week works great for me just turn your skimmer off for a while hope you find the problem