Coral died in 1 day

[Jazzy507]

So I just put two new corals into my tank, a frogspawn. It started to die off within hours after being acclimated. I did realize that the salt levels in my tank were quite high, like not even readable off the charts. I’m new to this so please don’t scold! I had been topping off the tank with salt water from my local store. However, I just learned that you are supposed to top off with RODI fresh water . I have a nano 18g and I’m struggling to find joy with it because I can’t keep any coral alive and happy. Is a bigger tank easier?? At least now I know to test the salt more often (I assumed it was good because it was accurate at the store) I did not account for evaporation...so silly. Anyways all other parameters are good. I removed about .5 gallons and put in fresh water as I’m supposed to. The tank was a bit shocked by this, but I knew it might happen. Fish are ok and I will keep topping off with fresh until leveled out. I’m feeling rather discouraged!!

 

[Crabs McJones]

So what did salinity get up to? Don't beat yourself up. It was just a mistake
If you can go bigger, great, if not your current tank is fine. Just need to get it dialed in

 

[Jazzy507]

So what did salinity get up to? Don't beat yourself up. It was just a mistake
If you can go bigger, great, if not your current tank is fine. Just need to get it dialed in

it was literally unreadable on the hydrometer, the dial was as high as it could go, above the numbers. Once I changed out some water it was at the highest mark on the chart but I didn’t want to do much more and kill my fish from changing over too quickly.

 

[IslandLifeReef]

When you say all other parameters were good, what does that mean exactly. If you were topping off with salt water and your salinity got that high, your ALK, Mag, and Calc stand a good chance of being off as well.

Also, if you plan on keeping coral, you should consider a refractometer and calibrate it with 35ppt solution before each use. Also, that calibration fluid can go bad over time, so consider getting new fluid yearly.

 

[Jazzy507]

When you say all other parameters were good, what does that mean exactly. If you were topping off with salt water and your salinity got that high, your ALK, Mag, and Calc stand a good chance of being off as well.

Also, if you plan on keeping coral, you should consider a refractometer and calibrate it with 35ppt solution before each use. Also, that calibration fluid can go bad over time, so consider getting new fluid yearly.

I actually don’t test for mag and calc yet but the Ph, nitrates and nitrites were good, along with the phosphates. Everything was perfect in that sense. But ya, calc was probably high because it’s been concentrated. I will get my salt level back to normal before trying anything else. I will try a refractometer as well. The other thing I’m unsure of, is if I should be getting a wave maker? I only have a return pump that is appropriate for the tank (18g cube). It might help with circulation, but I need some advice for sure.

 

[Crabs McJones]

it was literally unreadable on the hydrometer, the dial was as high as it could go, above the numbers. Once I changed out some water it was at the highest mark on the chart but I didn’t want to do much more and kill my fish from changing over too quickly.

A suggestion, those swing arm hydrometers are not very accurate. I would look into a refractometer. You can get them for relatively cheap, I think BRS sells one for 35-40 bucks. You'll get an exact salinity reading instead of the little swing arm.

 

[LegendaryCG]

How do you know it's dead? They can take quite a beating and still come back.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

Take about a gallon out and use air line tied in a knot to drip a gallon of RODI into the take at the rate of a drop per second. Repeat this every 12 hours or so. If it is super elevated you might want to do about a 1/2 gallon swap immediately before the RODI drip.

 

[IslandLifeReef]

I actually don’t test for mag and calc yet but the Ph, nitrates and nitrites were good, along with the phosphates. Everything was perfect in that sense. But ya, calc was probably high because it’s been concentrated. I will get my salt level back to normal before trying anything else. I will try a refractometer as well. The other thing I’m unsure of, is if I should be getting a wave maker? I only have a return pump that is appropriate for the tank (18g cube). It might help with circulation, but I need some advice for sure.

Ok, just telling us that things are good doesn't help much. For coral, you really should test for ALK and Calc. ALK and Ph are not the same. Also, we don't know what you consider good NO3 or PO4 or NO2. Is good all zero's to you?

Not trying to beat you up, but you really need to post numbers. Add temp to that set of numbers as well and a number for the s.g, not just the top of the hydrometer.

You were topping off with saltwater for 6 months according to the age of your tank in another thread. So for us to really help you and get you on the right track, we need to know what we are starting with.

 

[Oropher]

Welcome to R2R,
I love being here because members are so keen on helping others.
Happy reefing.

 

[BeejReef]

Sometimes the biggest mistakes are also the most common ones.
You waited six months for coral. That's a mark to your credit.

You can't assume much of anything. Even when you're testing often, you can't necessarily assume your tests are accurate.. lol. You also can't assume your water source is good bc it comes from a LFS.

Testing on a routine is one of the only real defenses. At least then you can spot when something changes suddenly.

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

You can actually drop the salinity pretty fast and not do any harm to the fish. When you are raising the salinity however you want to take it nice and slow!

We all make mistakes and rest assured this will not be your last.

 

[Vincent Azzano]

So I just put two new corals into my tank, a frogspawn. It started to die off within hours after being acclimated. I did realize that the salt levels in my tank were quite high, like not even readable off the charts. I’m new to this so please don’t scold! I had been topping off the tank with salt water from my local store. However, I just learned that you are supposed to top off with RODI fresh water . I have a nano 18g and I’m struggling to find joy with it because I can’t keep any coral alive and happy. Is a bigger tank easier?? At least now I know to test the salt more often (I assumed it was good because it was accurate at the store) I did not account for evaporation...so silly. Anyways all other parameters are good. I removed about .5 gallons and put in fresh water as I’m supposed to. The tank was a bit shocked by this, but I knew it might happen. Fish are ok and I will keep topping off with fresh until leveled out. I’m feeling rather discouraged!!

Make sure you keep your alkalinity levels constant. Some corals are really sensitive

 

[Jazzy507]

Ok, just telling us that things are good doesn't help much. For coral, you really should test for ALK and Calc. ALK and Ph are not the same. Also, we don't know what you consider good NO3 or PO4 or NO2. Is good all zero's to you?

Not trying to beat you up, but you really need to post numbers. Add temp to that set of numbers as well and a number for the s.g, not just the top of the hydrometer.

You were topping off with saltwater for 6 months according to the age of your tank in another thread. So for us to really help you and get you on the right track, we need to know what we are starting with.

Makes sense! Here are my numbers. I don’t test for Alk yet, so I need to get that. But I did get a refractormeter. Here are my numbers:

salinity - 1.036
PH - 8.2
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0-1
PO4 - .25
Temp 78-79

the only thing out of whack from my limited knowledge is the salinity for sure. Anything else?

thanks!

 

[Arthacker87]

Do not stop off salt water with salt water it has to be fresh water

 

[Arthacker87]

Alrighty sorry I read your first post and tried to hurry and answer it but I see ppl have already answered. Don't lose hope!! Once you get the hang of it, it all becomes second nature

 

[Jazzy507]

How do you know it's dead? They can take quite a beating and still come back.

Well it’s all brown and turning to jelly...one head is gone and the other is oozing brown stuff from it’s mouth at the moment...still some green on it. But my salinity seems to be at deadly levels of 1.036

 

[Jazzy507]

So what did salinity get up to? Don't beat yourself up. It was just a mistake
If you can go bigger, great, if not your current tank is fine. Just need to get it dialed in

Currently 1.036...ouch...after I swapped about a gallon with fresh water.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Currently 1.036...ouch...after I swapped about a gallon with fresh water.

Yeah that's a tad high lol

 

[fishguy242]

hi take out jelly frog bacteria can stay in water for awhile get that salt down no worries every makes mistakes that is how we learn