Bubbling SPS disease

[Troylee]

Well I might have an explanation as to why this bubbling growth started again. Thanks to @Sabellafella at pieces of the ocean we discovered that my salinity was low! I have a cheaper refractometer that I calibrate before each use with 2 different bottle of 35ppt solution. This wasn't enough. It's still off. My salinity according to Pieces of the Ocean was 1.022. I got my ICP test result back from Fauna Marine and it said It was even lower 1.020.

Amazing to me the tank is still doing well. Colors are very good, however, there are more stunted pieces than I am used to having, and obviously the blistering started. If this tissue disease is from a type of stress, correcting salinity should help. I'll report back. FYI I used the same refractometer last year when I had the bubbling issue back then.

After almost 30 years in the hobby there is always something to learn. I put all of my faith in one cheap device. Could have lost the tank for an easy correction. I will now be checking salinity with a few devices to ensure accuracy. Will be using a VeeGee STX-3 refractometer, Hanna salinity checker, and tropic marin hydrometer each time. If you have this bubbling problem on your sps, double check your measure with another device, a shop, or a fellow reefer. BTW because of this I discovered that my friends tank was low too lol @delv2323

Couldn’t tell ya on my tank… I’ve always used my cheap instant ocean plastic hydrometer and it’s never failed me lol… my Apex be smoking something it says it’s 50.5 haha!

 

[jackson6745]

Couldn’t tell ya on my tank… I’ve always used my cheap instant ocean plastic hydrometer and it’s never failed me lol… my Apex be smoking something it says it’s 50.5 haha!

If you get a chance, verify your salinity somehow. I would love to know if you’re in the right zone. It took me the equivalent of a 40g water change worth of salt to get salinity in the right zone! On a 200g system, that’s a lot! Always something.

 

[Troylee]

If you get a chance, verify your salinity somehow. I would love to know if you’re in the right zone. It took me the equivalent of a 40g water change worth of salt to get salinity in the right zone! On a 200g system, that’s a lot! Always something.

I think I have a brand new refracto in a box some where lol… no idea if it has Calibration fluid I’ll search for it and see… I’m sure my old plastic hydrometer is close because my tank is growing extremely well at the moment.. I run my tank at 36ppt according to my hydrometer.

 

[dwhanc00]

I have verified mine with two ICP's and a refractometer and keep it at 1.025.

 

[jackson6745]

I have verified mine with two ICP's and a refractometer and keep it at 1.025.

Did the ICP provide the actual salinity? I know that the ICP analysis brand didn't but it would show low sodium and other traces. I calibrated my refractometer before each use and still ended up with a salinity of 1.022. Turns out that 2 separate bottle 35ppt calibration fluid were off. From now on I use my Tropic Marin Hydrometer which IMO is the most accurate failsafe tool out there, then compare with my veegee refractometer and hanna salinity pen lol. Maybe a bit much but I don't want to make such a stupid mistake again.

 

[jackson6745]

FWIW the blisters are going away in only a few weeks. Seeing major improvements since bringing up salinity to the 1.026. I highly suggest getting a Tropic Marin hydrometer and checking against your refractometer or digital reader etc.