Are my Euphyllia ok?

[Kerwin1721]

I am concerned about my Euphyllia. They seemed to be doing great but now they are withdrawn. In the first pic, all three were out quite a bit and seemed to be doing well but now they seem to be pulling in and each tentacle is looking thin. The second pic is of another dunkin and a torch on the other side of my tank that I put in yesterday. The first three used to look like the new one. Is it possible to put video up? I could put a video up of how they are moving.

I just tested my water with my API testing kit and I show
Salinity - 1.025
Temp 78.7
PH - 7.8-8.0
Ammonia - 0
Nitrites - 0
Nitrates - between 40-80
Calcium - above 500

I've been using Instant Ocean Reef Crystals. Someone suggested checking for leaked voltage so I used the multimeter and it is showing about 23. I also use reef frenzy and phytofeast to feed the coral and have been target feeding each one brine shrimp every three days.

Any suggestions would be great. I would hate to loose these.

Thank you

The white one in the back was bleached by my old light.

 

[steelheader.262]

What is you water flow like?

 

[Kerwin1721]

My return pump is pushing about 400gph and I have a hydor 425. The return has a flat end and is pointed towards the surface on the left side pointing right. The hydor is on the right side towards the back wall and pointed strait. The three don't have a ton of movement. The one that was bleached has been moved all around trying to make it happy. It was in more flow and didn't come out at all and when I moved it to where it currently is it has come out more. I also turned down the return at that time as well. Not sure how much it is pumping now.The picture of the dunkin and torch, they are getting qutie a bit of flow as the return is pushing water to the right and it seems to be going down the right wall onto those two. But that torch's tentacles have become thinner since I put it in yesterday.

 

[Kerwin1721]

Would the nitrates be hurting it? I do a 10% water change on Saturdays (did it last friday morning since we were going out of town and had someone watch the house for the weekend.) I have Chaeto in the sump but don't believe it is getting enough light as it hasn't grown much if at all over the past three ish months.

 

[Kerwin1721]

.

 

[reefhobby]

What are all your parameters

 

[Kerwin1721]

I tested them earlier today and put them in the first post. They are:
Salinity - 1.025
Temp 78.7
PH - 7.8-8.0
Ammonia - 0
Nitrites - 0
Nitrates - between 40-80
Calcium - above 500

 

[joshkirkland83]

If it was my tank... i would first chunk the API kit and get a red sea or salifert. Then if my nitrates are still that high i would get a reactor and run carbon, also get some light on the chaeto. That stuff should be growing out of control with nitrates that high. And what about phosphates? I would do a more reliable test, address problems, then worry about voltage. But thats me..

 

[malira]

How's your alkalinity and magnesium? Nitrates seem high but you definitely need better tests.

 

[LetItReef]

Try indirect-moderate flow and check Phosphate

 

[Kerwin1721]

I dumped the API test kits and picked up a Red Seas Marine Care Test Kit and a Reef Foundations Pro test kit. Here are my new results from tonight tests:

Temp: 78.1
Salinity: 1.025
PH: 8.2
Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0.2
Nitrates: 50 - was a bit brighter pink than the 50 so I'm guessing its higher
Calcium: 450 ppm
Magnesium: 1600 ppm
Alkalinity: 5.3 dKh

They are looking worse. Withdrawing more into the stalks. My Chaeto is still not growing. I changed the light in the refugium. I added a shop light with a Cree 5000K daylight LED 60watt LED bulb. I can't figure out where the nitrates are coming from. I change the filter sock every 3 days. When changed they don't look to dark at all. I feed the four fish very little, a few flakes in the morning and just a bit of frozen brine shrimp. I don't think they are overfed, they seem to clean up everything. I feed the coral every 4 days, alternating Reef Frenzy (1/4 tsp in 1 cup of water) and then Phytofest. I don't remember exactly how much I put in last time but didn't think it was overkill.

I'd give any suggestion a try.

 

[reefhobby]

Nitrates way too high bring down to at least 5 or 10 calcium is OK magnesium is high bring down to1350 alkalinity is low bring up to about 9.2. Always check these things

 

[Kerwin1721]

I knew the Nitrates were too high. Just received the Magnesium and alkalinity tests with the new test kits.
Is the best way to get Nitrates down to just do water changes?
How do I reduce magnesium? Raise Alkalinity?

 

[reefhobby]

Yes

 

[Kerwin1721]

How do I reduce magnesium? Raise Alkalinity?

 

[malira]

I raised my alk with EVS B-ionic part 1. It vomes in gallon jugs. My system is 90g display, 120g total. I used 15 ml for 3 days and it raised it .9 dKh.
How big is your tank/total water volume.

Nitrates could be coming from decaying food. Water changes are the fastest way to get you nitrates down.

If you are going to be doing water changes then you alk should be coming up to your new water alk level. I would check the parameters of you new water alk, calcium and magnesium. If they are more in line with what you are going for then just do water changes until your nitrates come in line.

I was advised Alk between 8 and 10. Calcium around 400 and magnesium around 1400.

 

[ou12004]

Quickest way to bring everything in line is with a few big water changes 20% to 40% then weekly 10% water changes. I would not recommend putting that torch near your Duncan, my torch stung my Duncan and 6 heads stayed closed for a week. It also fell on a hammer while I was out of town and killed 1 of the heads.

 

[Kerwin1721]

Thank you all for your input. I have a 29 gallon DT with another 15g in the sump. I have been doing 5g water changes every Saturday but the nitrates are st
I'll high.
If I do a 20-40% water change, how ofden should I do that until the nitrates are down? Is it ok to do every day or do I need to wait a few days In between.

 

[melypr1985]

I would just put in that you dont want to change anything quickly. Bringing your Alk up to 9 quickly can cause more trouble. If i were you, I'd first test my new saltwater to be sure those numbers are in line with what I'm wanting my display to be at. If they are then just keep doing your 5 gallon water changes but maybe do them 2x a week. Keep testing and making sure your parameters are climbing with each water change. You want it to be slow.

 

[Tanked_Life]

I just bought a GFO/carbon Reactor and I never have nitrate/ phosphate problems anymore. I have had two gobies die under my rock and deteriorate but because of the reactor, I never had a nitrate spike. BE CAREFUL to start low on the GFO then gradually increase to regular dosage this may apply to the carbon if you have never run it swell