Corals not doing well

[N2theUnknown]

Ok parameters as of 15 minutes ago:

Temp: 77
Salinity: 1.026
Alk: 9.2 (red sea for these 3)
Cal: 480 (high but I don't dose anything)
Mg:1460 (again don't dose anything)
Nitrates: 50 (high will get to this) (salifert)
Phos: .08 (hannah)

Now I've been away from my tank for 3 months. So my nitrates are high in assuming from the wife and kids over feeding. I've had all corals for 6 months never really had any major growth but everything looked healthy. So I'm wondering if ph is a problem as it's going into winter my tank is in the basement and the wife and kids have been home 24/7. I do have a slight algae break out I'm guessing hair algae it's just brown instead of green.

 

[N2theUnknown]

I have a radion g5 pro I run the lps setting

 

[paul01609]

Access to a par meter?

 

[N2theUnknown]

Access to a par meter?

Well when I set the tank up I had 140 par consistent throughout the whole tank except upper middle where I had like 190.

 

[N2theUnknown]

But I just got to thinking and checked my tank I have 20 volts to ground. I'm no place near that carries ground probes is there anything I can use for a ground probe temporarily? Or is it best just to get rid of the equipment causing the problem? Also is there an ok amount of voltage to have in a tank? A power head was 14 volts my heater was about a volt and about 4 volts I had all equipment off so not sure what's causing it.

 

[Greg P]

20v isn't a huge issue. People have reported higher. Mine I prefer to have near zero.
DONT put a ground probe in unless you use a GFCI

 

[N2theUnknown]

20v isn't a huge issue. People have reported higher. Mine I prefer to have near zero.
DONT put a ground probe in unless you use a GFCI

So what could be some other issues I mean I know nitrates are alittle high but I've seen people with the same amount or higher and everything be doing fine?

 

[Dr. Jim]

20v isn't a huge issue. People have reported higher. Mine I prefer to have near zero.
DONT put a ground probe in unless you use a GFCI

Sorry to get a little off topic, but could you explain why?

 

[Pistondog]

I'd guess then you have current flowing between source and ground probe.
Without the probe, voltage is floating, like jumping and touching electric fence.

With gfci, the current to ground probe trips the gfci breaker, shutting off the source voltage.

 

[Cory]

But I just got to thinking and checked my tank I have 20 volts to ground. I'm no place near that carries ground probes is there anything I can use for a ground probe temporarily? Or is it best just to get rid of the equipment causing the problem? Also is there an ok amount of voltage to have in a tank? A power head was 14 volts my heater was about a volt and about 4 volts I had all equipment off so not sure what's causing it.

The volts dont harm unless there is amperage to go with it. Check for amperage.

 

[Cory]

Sorry to get a little off topic, but could you explain why?

A gfci will turn off the power if there is a leak. If you dont have a gfci the power leak will electrocute things in the water and possibly start a fire.

 

[Dr. Jim]

A gfci will turn off the power if there is a leak. If you dont have a gfci the power leak will electrocute things in the water and possibly start a fire.

I just found this surprising because out of all the sellers of grounding wires, I've never seen them recommend a gfci. They just say to screw it to the outlet plate or the grounding wire (unless I am mistaken).

 

[vetteguy53081]

Parameters are your main issue

Targets are:

Temp 77-79
salinity 1.025
alk 8-9
mag 1300
CA 440
Moderate light and flow
Ammonia < .03
Phos < .04
Nitrate < .05

Are you using RO or tap water from faucet ?

 

[N2theUnknown]

Parameters are your main issue

Targets are:

Temp 77-79
salinity 1.025
alk 8-9
mag 1300
CA 440
Moderate light and flow
Ammonia < .03
Phos < .04
Nitrate < .05

Are you using RO or tap water from faucet ?

RO like I said I was not home for about 3 months so I know nitrates are alittle high but have seen people with the same nitrates be successful

 

[N2theUnknown]

I only have a 3 stage RO I don't use DI. I I will test my RO water tonight

 

[Greg P]

Maybe check your in-tank equipment for cracks etc, to rule out contamination