Coral skeleton decomposing

[JaredSaffell]

I have had my tank running since beginning of July 2019 let it cycle then slowly add corals and 2 clown fish so no bioload. I'm using red sea coral pro salt and my parameters stay stable within range of RSCP and dosing no3,alk,cal,mag and test every day with salifert. I got a torch, frogspawn, and a hammer. My torch skeleton is going away and my frogspawn and hammer are very slowly doing the same. Is there something eating it or did I get corals that just dont like my parameters and dieing.

 

[Mykawl]

What is alkalinity and calcium at, also phosphate and nitrate, is that gha in the background? I’d suggest manual remover clean the tank up and try to keep it clean and stable. Hermit crabs and urchins eat algae well

basically need any info you have you shouldn’t need to dose in a new tank maybe kalkwasser when frags start growing

 

[JaredSaffell]

I keep my all at 12 and cal 480 and nitrate 5-10 and phosphate read zero cause algea that I've have a problem with a d will be getting a cuc soon to controll it since lps need dirtier water I was told.

 

[Mykawl]

Keeping nitrates under 10 is fine alk is high though but that shouldn’t cause the skeleton to decompose rather the euphyllia should retract.
The disintegrating skeleton is IMO calcium deficiency or a pest. You could try a 5 min dip in anything you have but an iodine based dip would be best.
Does your salt mix that high in alkalinity? I keep seeing this problem and which salt is it

 

[JaredSaffell]

Its red sea coral pro salt and is high in all parameters. And I have bayer insect killer but havnt used it in dips. I just found a hole completely through my acan also.

 

[Mical]

IMO your tank is still fairly new to be housing LPS. I did the exact same thing years ago. Slow down and enjoy the ride. Softies and leathers are good for newer tanks until everything stabilizes.

 

[JaredSaffell]

It still very new but all my parameters stay stable so I talked to other people and stores and says it would be ok to add corals but now this

 

[Mykawl]

What are you using to check temp and salinity, always want to triple check basics the problem is usually simple. I’ve literally melted corals with high salinity. #reefsquad

bayer sounds like a good idea.
Mushrooms and green star polyps are almost indestructible I don’t like suggesting zoas cause upsetting them can be bad : )

 

[Saltyreef]

Post your full troubleshooting parameters.
Salinity
Alk
Cal
Mag
N02
Po4
Ph
Temp

Are you using RO DI?

Thanks

 

[JaredSaffell]

Refractometer and temp is with 3 different types. A digital one, those glass with red liquid in it, and a laser temp gun

 

[JaredSaffell]

Salinity 1.026
Alk 12
Cal 480
Mag 1450
N03 5-10
Po4 0
Ph 8.3
Temp 80f

 

[JaredSaffell]

And I use rodi water

 

[Mykawl]

id Guess alkalinity is just way too high but I don’t have experience with high alk I run mine 7-8 like the ocean maybe coincidence but I’ve seen a handful of similar posts, melting lps and high alkalinity.

 

[JaredSaffell]

How can I lower it when I mix it cause I dont want to put them in shock from 8 to 12 wat water changes

 

[Saltyreef]

You should switch to red sea blue bucket. Mix the same way and let it lower naturally.
What are you using to measure salinity?

 

[JaredSaffell]

Refractometer

 

[Flippers4pups]

I've seen this before. It's not from pests. As the coral was growing, it grows in this "honey comb" structure due to numerous reasons. Alkalinity, calcium and magnesium was low or unstable during the time it was growing. It's possible that low pH has eroded the outer walls to expose this "honey comb".

As long as your water parameters stay in proper levels, it shouldn't erode anymore. If it gets worse, you could use some reef safe epoxy to strengthen it.

 

[JaredSaffell]

Refractometer

So what should my parameters be because I've been going off of high alk need high cal and mag and low alk with lower cal and mag

 

[Saltyreef]

You shouldnt be running alk that high with imbalanced nutrients.
Switch to red sea blue bucket and let the parameters fall on their own with normal water changes.
Also maybe increase your feeding to get po4 up a little.

 

[Saltyreef]

8-9dkh
425-450 calcium
1400-1500 mag
Thats what i shoot for on macros.