corals are not looking good

[clowny]

4-6 months into this tank, my first salt/reef.

Everything was going fine, duncan has been getting worse though. Now other corals showing signs of distress. Please look at the photos below and tell me what you think, any comments at all help, I dont want to lose these corals. Especially the Duncan.

I had time to test salinity and ammonia. Both normal. Temp is also fine.

 

[clowny]

THE Duncan is the worst, especially the bottom branch. Its brown, no clue what that is. Also i do weekly water changes havent missed one. Feed normally once a day sometimes miss a day. I cant get the green **** off the sides. Its like its part of the tank now lol. If anyone knows how to get that out let me know. Coral help is more important though. Here is what the Duncan coral looked like around 1 1/2 months ago

 

[Dilan Patel]

what is your calc alk mag nitrate and phosphates like numbers wise

 

[clowny]

i have no

what is your calc alk mag nitrate and phosphates like numbers wise

no clue and im not good at testing them im gonna go to the fish store and have them test it, do you think its likely thats the issue? My carbon bag in the back of the tank hasnt been changed since i got the tank a few months ago

 

[Dilan Patel]

yes I can almost guarentee that one or more of those elements are out of line...most likely too low causing death. While your at the LFS pick up those test kits! You don't have to buy magnesium but it is nice to have. Once you get results for all those update the thread and we can help you proceed. Also if the readings are low you may want to ask your lfs for a calcium product and alkalinity product to dose.

 

[Uncle99]

Without knowledge that all 8 parameters are both consistent and in the appropriate range, your corals longer term will not do well.

Also, you don’t reference any lighting, type, wattage, par, spectrum, which is an absolute in keeping corals fed.

Help us with more info...

 

[Vahanyos]

Welcome to the saltwater world! Where everything is about TESTING and you never know what you're going to get! HAHA

In this hobby, you have to be more specific in general when dealing with corals and "green ****" lol. My guess is your tank is still trying to find that "balance" and get more established. Depending on what actions you took during the cycling process, how soon you added fish, what measures you're taking to balance the parameters, anything can and will happen. The first few months of a saltwater tank are the stages where the tank is finding that right equilibrium in my opinion. Especially if you're new and unfamiliar with a lot of the stuff, you will have corals dying. Also, you will also have mysterious deaths that we all just "accept".

Shoot us your parameters when you test, and we'll do our best to try and help you balance it out and see what areas need focus.

Just to give you an idea, some reefers let their tank get established for like 3-4 months before they start filling it up with coral. I hope this info helps...

 

[Vahanyos]

Look up brown jelly disease... maybe that's whats happening to the Duncan

 

[good.reef]

I wouldn't suggest dosing to someone who doesn't have a handle on the basics yet. Self testing is not only important for your tank's health but for you to understand the chemistry of the water and what it means in relation to the livestock you want to keep. It should be the very first thing that someone learns when keeping a reef. It's perfectly okay to not know something but it is only fair to the corals, fish, and inverts in your care to teach yourself. Asking questions on here is a good start. You should also be reading and watching videos as often as you can. Reefing is just like everything else, the more you learn the better equipped you are to be successful. I would also recommend watching the 52 weeks of reefing videos from BRS.

 

[Forshurley]

I would recommend getting in the habit of testing water for Alk and calc weekly and make adjustments accordly. Plus make sure your source water is zero TDS (RODI water).

This will help your success rate tremendously! good luck and happy reefing!

 

[good.reef]

This is my tank. It's 9 months old. Nearly all of the corals have been in for 6+ mos. It's my first saltwater tank. And I have never once dosed Cal or Alk (or anything else). But I understand my tank and it's chemistry. I'm not saying that dosing isn't a good thing but it's obviously not always necessary in order to keep a thriving reef. Testing and water changes should be a basic staple before worrying about additives.

 

[Magellan]

You mentioned carbon as filtration (should chance that every couple weeks or less) what else do you have? On a small tank with regular water changes you don’t need as much going on, but I would still use carbon, purigen, and bio media if I were you.

 

[good.reef]

Yes carbon needs to be changed monthly. I would use an appropriate sized bag of Chemipure Blue as that has Purigen (equivalent), GFO, and Carbon in one bag. Replace monthly.

 

[Vahanyos]

F

This is my tank. It's 9 months old. Nearly all of the corals have been in for 6+ mos. It's my first saltwater tank. And I have never once dosed Cal or Alk (or anything else). But I understand my tank and it's chemistry. I'm not saying that dosing isn't a good thing but it's obviously not always necessary in order to keep a thriving reef. Testing and water changes should be a basic staple before worrying about additives.

Off topic, but love the scape man. What red coral is that all the way on top of the peak? Also, what is that in the shaded dark area under the peak? Looks cool.... bravo man.

 

[good.reef]

F


Off topic, but love the scape man. What red coral is that all the way on top of the peak? Also, what is that in the shaded dark area under the peak? Looks cool.... bravo man.

Thanks. At the very top is dragon's breath macro and hanging under the ledge is a chili coral