Coral Not well - bleaching ?

[Peter_B2001]

Hey everyone,

meant some advice on my rainbow stylophora. Had my tank for a couple months now. Always liked the condition it was in but got new one and it did well and now it doesn’t look good. It doesn’t open or is starting to bleach. The parameters are as follows:
Kh 11.2
Ph 8.3
Ammonia 0.05
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 20 (was higher but finally went down - but when placed was high and did well and now it’s lower finally but it’s closed)
Magnesium 1080
Calcium 400

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hey everyone,

meant some advice on my rainbow stylophora. Had my tank for a couple months now. Always liked the condition it was in but got new one and it did well and now it doesn’t look good. It doesn’t open or is starting to bleach. The parameters are as follows:
Kh 10
Ph 8.3
Ammonia 0.05
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 20 (was higher but finally went down - but when placed was high and did well and now it’s lower finally but it’s closed)
Magnesium 1080
Calcium 370

Mag and calcium a little low ( ca-400-440 and Mag 1300-1350)
Assure moderate flow and moderate to medium light. I based on your numbers am assuming you are using API kit which is well known for false readings Often showing lower readings than are actual and I suggested to take a water sample to a store that does NOT use Api kits and have them test your water and compare readings- then you'll know
I will never trust a $7 badge or $25 master kit to sustain hundreds of dollars in livestock. Dont worry about Nitrite readings unless sky high (about 100)
Other causes of tissue loss are :
- Alkalinity spike
- Temperature spike
- Salinity spike
- Low dissolved oxygen
- Poor water quality related with phosphate levels up to 5 ppm
- Change in water flow
- Additions of sand
- Changes in brand of salt
- Bad test kits giving faulty results
- Levels of minor elements such as Iodine, Potassium, Strontium
- Light intensity
- - Changes in water flow
- Addition of new corals
- - Pesticides
- Airborne Contaminants or sprays

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

What light do you have on this tank?

 

[Peter_B2001]

Mag and calcium a little low ( ca-400-440 and Mag 1300-1350)
Assure moderate flow and moderate to medium light. I based on your numbers am assuming you are using API kit which is well known for false readings Often showing lower readings than are actual and I suggested to take a water sample to a store that does NOT use Api kits and have them test your water and compare readings- then you'll know
I will never trust a $7 badge or $25 master kit to sustain hundreds of dollars in livestock. Dont worry about Nitrite readings unless sky high (about 100)
Other causes of tissue loss are :
- Alkalinity spike
- Temperature spike
- Salinity spike
- Low dissolved oxygen
- Poor water quality related with phosphate levels up to 5 ppm
- Change in water flow
- Additions of sand
- Changes in brand of salt
- Bad test kits giving faulty results
- Levels of minor elements such as Iodine, Potassium, Strontium
- Light intensity
- - Changes in water flow
- Addition of new corals
- - Pesticides
- Airborne Contaminants or sprays

I use Salifert ones

 

[vetteguy53081]

I use Salifert ones

Ok good. Often when nitrite is mentioned, it is an API kit.

 

[Peter_B2001]

What light do you have on this tank?

14000k Fluval Light

 

[Peter_B2001]

The phosphates are high… how do I lower them

 

[vetteguy53081]

The phosphates are high… how do I lower them

A combination of water changes and addition of media such as ChemiPure blue or if really high, Chemipure Elite which will lower it gradually and keep it in check

 

[Peter_B2001]

Thanks il try that - is there any other problem that could be causing this though? It is just the phosphates you think?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thanks il try that - is there any other problem that could be causing this though? It is just the phosphates you think?

elevated phos and nitrate are troublemakers as is high alk and low calcium