water parameters affecting corals

[cmonti]

Need Some help!! Started by first 20 gallon reef tank 8 weeks ago. I cycled the tank with live rock and used bio spira to speed up the process about 6 weeks ago. Ammonia and Nitrite were at 0 and nitrate was very minimal. Had a small diatom bloom but went away quick. This made we think I was out of the cycle. Did a 3 gal water change. Added small clean up crew and 2 clownfish. Water quality was great, fish happy, so I began to add some corals. In the past 4 or so weeks ive added super green mushrooms, fluorescent green star polyp, kenya tree frag, long tentacle plate coral and my most recent addition, yellow tip torch coral. The next day I added a red sea prism deluxe skimmer. Not the best in the world but does the job. This is when things went bad. My plate coral's tentacles are all pulled in, as well as the torch coral. The star polyp also does not have any of its fingers out. Checked all levels and had a spike in nitrite and nitrate was almost 60. Did a 3 gallon water change after letting a powerhead stir the new water for 24 hrs. Corals still not acting normal. Just checked my levels and this is where im at...
ammonia - 0
nitrite 0-0.25
nitrate 40
calcium 480
SG 1.023
KH - 11
PH - 7.8
temp 78
my only possible thought for the spike in nitrite and nitrate may be overfeeding (but I really dont think I am). WOULD THESE WATER READINGS MAKE MY CORALS DO THIS AFTER LOOKING SO GOOD FOR THE FEW WEEKS AFTER I ADDED THEM????
WHAT DO I DO NOW?? another water change?? I dont want to loose my corals!!
PLEASE HELP. THANKS

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by cmonti
http:///forum/post/3261857
Need Some help!! Started by first 20 gallon reef tank 8 weeks ago. I cycled the tank with live rock and used bio spira to speed up the process about 6 weeks ago. Ammonia and Nitrite were at 0 and nitrate was very minimal. Had a small diatom bloom but went away quick. This made we think I was out of the cycle. Did a 3 gal water change. Added small clean up crew and 2 clownfish. Water quality was great, fish happy, so I began to add some corals. In the past 4 or so weeks ive added super green mushrooms, fluorescent green star polyp, kenya tree frag, long tentacle plate coral and my most recent addition, yellow tip torch coral. The next day I added a red sea prism deluxe skimmer. Not the best in the world but does the job. This is when things went bad. My plate coral's tentacles are all pulled in, as well as the torch coral. The star polyp also does not have any of its fingers out. Checked all levels and had a spike in nitrite and nitrate was almost 60. Did a 3 gallon water change after letting a powerhead stir the new water for 24 hrs. Corals still not acting normal. Just checked my levels and this is where im at...
ammonia - 0
nitrite 0-0.25
nitrate 40
calcium 480
SG 1.023
KH - 11
PH - 7.8
temp 78
my only possible thought for the spike in nitrite and nitrate may be overfeeding (but I really dont think I am). WOULD THESE WATER READINGS MAKE MY CORALS DO THIS AFTER LOOKING SO GOOD FOR THE FEW WEEKS AFTER I ADDED THEM????
WHAT DO I DO NOW?? another water change?? I dont want to loose my corals!!
PLEASE HELP. THANKS

Do you run carbon? Corals send out toxins to each other, chemical warfare…they may be at war.

 

[cmonti]

I have an aquaclear filter that holds foam, carbon and bio material. The skimmer also has a carbon chamber that the water runs through before entering back into the tank

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by cmonti
http:///forum/post/3261864
I have an aquaclear filter that holds foam, carbon and bio material. The skimmer also has a carbon chamber that the water runs through before entering back into the tank

It could just be too much too fast...do you have any cycle on hand? Adding some bacteria may help balance things back out. Your numbers really don't look too bad right now, nitrate at 60 is the most likely problem. Over 40 and things go south, and once they start to retract it is tough to bring them out.
Keep the water as best you can in good standing and leave everything alone to recuperate. Running the carbon is good. You might try getting some Purigen and running that too.

 

[cmonti]

Nitrate is at 40, not ideal in any way but like you said, not deadly. Dont have any cycle. Added the whole bottle a few weeks ago. I will definitely get some ore if you think it will help. Should I try another water change? What is Purigen?? SO you think things will recuperate... hope so. Thanks. any additional help is appreciated

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by cmonti
http:///forum/post/3261871
Nitrate is at 40, not ideal in any way but like you said, not deadly. Dont have any cycle. Added the whole bottle a few weeks ago. I will definitely get some ore if you think it will help. Should I try another water change? What is Purigen?? SO you think things will recuperate... hope so. Thanks. any additional help is appreciated

Purigen is great for removing stuff from the water, like ammonia. It costs a bit but is good for 6 months and can be reactivated. You can never have too much good bacteria..How much live rock is in the tank?

 

[cmonti]

cool. I looked into it last night. Does look like good stuff. Where would you suggest placing it. In a filter bag to replace the carbon in my filter or in the carbon canister in my skimmer. Ive got 20lbs of rock. I should have added a bit more but am hesitant now because I dont want any die off to spike my leveks even more than they alrady are. What are you thoughts?