Corals not doing so hot.

[Rmckoy]

How would I go about experimenting with the light?

Lower light intensity and gradually increase over time ?
I’m not 100% sure. .

 

[Clownshow]

What lights are you using?

Hipagero aquakhight leds

 

[Clownshow]

The hammer is coming back out now that the lights are off.

 

[ReeferLou]

The hammer is coming back out now that the lights are off.

Post pic of the whole setup and measure distance from lights to the bottom of tank.

 

[Clownshow]

Post pic of the whole setup and measure distance from lights to the bottom of tank.

Lights are 22 inches from the bottom of the tank.

 

[ReeferLou]

Based on reviews of the light and that picture you could be over 200par on sand if the light is maxed out. So turning down the white channel is the best advice and then consider renting a par meter or searching the light library for PAR data. There are some very detailed experiments there. Good luck

 

[Clownshow]

Based on reviews of the light and that picture you could be over 200par on sand if the light is maxed out. So turning down the white channel is the best advice and then consider renting a par meter or searching the light library for PAR data. There are some very detailed experiments there. Good luck

Turned white lights off today and dropped the blues to 70% and the corals are looking happier hammer is out more than it ever has been.

 

[Clownshow]

Based on reviews of the light and that picture you could be over 200par on sand if the light is maxed out. So turning down the white channel is the best advice and then consider renting a par meter or searching the light library for PAR data. There are some very detailed experiments there. Good luck

I got a tds meter today and my rodi water reads 7pm and my tap is 70ppm could that be the problem?

 

[ReeferLou]

I got a tds meter today and my rodi water reads 7pm and my tap is 70ppm could that be the problem?

Yes something may need to be changed for the RODI filter - it should be 1 or 2 at most right out of the filter. Make sure you capture the out put in a small CLEAN cup (like new plastic cup) and test and not a large tub where other contaminants can give a higher reading. It does not take much to throw the reading off like sticking your hand in or a dirty cup. But I doubt that would cause any coral damage in the short term but should be addressed long term.

 

[Clownshow]

Yes something may need to be changed for the RODI filter - it should be 1 or 2 at most right out of the filter. Make sure you capture the out put in a small CLEAN cup (like new plastic cup) and test and not a large tub where other contaminants can give a higher reading. It does not take much to throw the reading off like sticking your hand in or a dirty cup. But I doubt that would cause any coral damage in the short term but should be addressed long term.

Oh okay I tested the water that has been sitting in my ato container for a week. I am making some new water right now that I will test.

 

[Clownshow]

Yes something may need to be changed for the RODI filter - it should be 1 or 2 at most right out of the filter. Make sure you capture the out put in a small CLEAN cup (like new plastic cup) and test and not a large tub where other contaminants can give a higher reading. It does not take much to throw the reading off like sticking your hand in or a dirty cup. But I doubt that would cause any coral damage in the short term but should be addressed long term.

I tested it right out of the filter and it was 0

 

[Clownshow]

My thermometer says the tank is 81F° should I bring it down to around 78?

 

[ReeferLou]

My thermometer says the tank is 81F° should I bring it down to around 78?

Normally most people including me shoot for 78-79 degree range - especially in the cooler months as it will jump in the warmer seasons and 81 is considered hi.

 

[Clownshow]

Normally most people including me shoot for 78-79 degree range - especially in the cooler months as it will jump in the warmer seasons and 81 is considered hi.

Today the corals were happy so I guess it was a lighting issue.

 

[Clownshow]

keep lights down to blue for now. Have you changed lighting recently?

You have a few zero readings although not impossible is unusual. What test kits are you using ?
Alk, very high. . . range should be 8-9

Moderate water flow also.

When should I turn the whites back on?

 

[Dark_Knightt]

I would suggest to make your water dirtier, the softies need nutrients to feed off of

 

[Clownshow]

I would suggest to make your water dirtier, the softies need nutrients to feed off of

Yeah I have been trying to for a while now. I am going to back of on water changes and feed more.

 

[Clownshow]

Tested calcium today and its at 445ppm and my nitrates are now at 20ppm.

 

[Clownshow]

Thank you eveyone who has helped me. I could never keep my corals happy but now they are happy as can be. I guess I was overlooking the lighting and focusing too much on parameters.