Corals

[stuart127127]

My coral was beautiful and the past two days. I have watched them turn darker and start to completely close. With very little bright color.

 

[Formulator]

They are dying. What are your water parameters (Alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, salinity, nitrate, phosphate)?

Also, I don’t see any power heads. What are you using for flow?

 

[vetteguy53081]

My coral was beautiful and the past two days. I have watched them turn darker and start to completely close. With very little bright color.

Tank looks awfully clean. What is age of tank?
Other causes are a change in salinity, rise in temperature elevated phosphate, Too bright of light and even a new light and elevated alkalinity levels which will be a high risk to coral. Other minor factors will be low Dissolved oxygen, new corals especially leathers (which emit a toxin known as Terpenes), false test kit readings and newly added rock can alter chemistry.

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Given the pictures, I can tell you have very little knowledge on keeping saltwater tanks. I suggest not getting more corals until you really understand what you need to have and do to keep coral. Alright. Here come a lot of questions, do your best to answer them.

- do you test any parameters? If so, list them here.
- what lights do you have on the tank?
- what powerheads do you have?
- what's the tank size?
- what do you use for Filtration (Biological and mechanical)?
- what's the tanks age?

 

[Formulator]

Given the pictures, I can tell you have very little knowledge on keeping saltwater tanks. I suggest not getting more corals until you really understand what you need to have and do to keep coral. Alright. Here come a lot of questions, do your best to answer them.

- do you test any parameters? If so, list them here.
- what lights do you have on the tank?
- what powerheads do you have?
- what's the tank size?
- what do you use for Filtration (Biological and mechanical)?
- what's the tanks age?

I couldn’t think of a nice way to say this… well done sir.

 

[stuart127127]

They are dying. What are your water parameters (Alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, salinity, nitrate, phosphate)?

Also, I don’t see any power heads. What are you using for flow?

 

[stuart127127]

I was looking at wave movers. I do not know the calcium or magnesium do shops test for that. They where doing really well and the past couple of days boom.

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Looks like you have nitrite in your tank. Did you cycle the tank?

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

I was looking at wave movers. I do not know the calcium or magnesium do shops test for that. They where doing really well and the past couple of days boom.

Yes, you need "wave movers". Corals need flow to survive. Your corals are just sitting in standing water?

 

[stuart127127]

Looks like you have nitrite in your tank. Did you cycle the tank?

I will do that right now. Thank you so much I got on here as a shot in the dark. Is there an affordable way to test the water.
My fresh water tank is so easy. Lol

 

[stuart127127]

 

[tmccaff]

Get better test kits as well. One's I recommend.

Alkalinity - Salifert or Hanna
Phosphate - Hanna ppb one
Nitrate - Salifert
Calcium - Salifert

Also, I would suggest to buy or rent par meter. What kind of light you using? Depends on corals light and flow all different. SPS - hardest to keep, high demand lights and flow, LPS - medium to keep, medium to high lights, flow varies, Soft - easiest to keep, lower lights and varies in flow. Problem with soft corals they can grow like crazy and overtake tank.

 

[Formulator]

I will do that right now. Thank you so much I got on here as a shot in the dark. Is there an affordable way to test the water.
My fresh water tank is so easy. Lol

Lol, this is not freshwater my friend. I think you really need to do some research on what it takes to maintain a reef tank before going any further. You need to get some test kits for alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, nitrate, and phosphate. I recommend salifert brand. They are a little pricey, but will last you a long time. At bare minimum, you need alkalinity and calcium now. Those strips are very unreliable. You also need a way to test your salinity. What is your water source? Tap water is not a good option. Also, are you managing top off to compensate for evaporation? What is in that hang-on filter? While common in freshwater, they are not ideal for reef keeping. Most of us use protein skimmers and sometimes media bags or reactors for carbon. I assume you don’t have a sump though…

Look up BRS-TV on YouTube. They have a great beginner series that covers the basics.

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

I will do that right now. Thank you so much I got on here as a shot in the dark. Is there an affordable way to test the water.
My fresh water tank is so easy. Lol

Salifert test kits are in the middle of being affordable, and accurate.

 

[tmccaff]

I was going to ask same thing. Salinity, light, parameters, heat probably in that order death to corals. Get yourself a book read about what it takes to maintain reef tank.

 

[Goaway]

Is this metal?

 

[Formulator]

Is this metal?

Looks like a fish.

 

[tmccaff]

I would STOP now before you spend money to be honest.
research what is needed to have corals survive.

First things first.

Size of tank? Light? Heater? Have skimmer? Water Source?

 

[vetteguy53081]

If you are relying on these Test strips to sustain fish and coral- First mistake as these are for freshwater too and often false in readings. Invest in reliable tests such as salifert and Hanna Brand. I suggest taking a water sample to a store that does NOT use Api kits and have them test your ammonia and nitrates and compare readings- then you'll know where your levels truly are at

 

[stuart127127]

Lol, this is not freshwater my friend. I think you really need to do some research on what it takes to maintain a reef tank before going any further. You need to get some test kits for alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, nitrate, and phosphate. I recommend salifert brand. They are a little pricey, but will last you a long time. At bare minimum, you need alkalinity and calcium now. Those strips are very unreliable. You also need a way to test your salinity. What is your water source? Tap water is not a good option. Also, are you managing top off to compensate for evaporation? What is in that hang-on filter? While common in freshwater, they are not ideal for reef keeping. Most of us use protein skimmers and sometimes media bags or reactors for carbon. I assume you don’t have a sump though…

Look up BRS-TV on YouTube. They have a great beginner series that covers the basics.

Lol, this is not freshwater my friend. I think you really need to do some research on what it takes to maintain a reef tank before going any further. You need to get some test kits for alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, nitrate, and phosphate. I recommend salifert brand. They are a little pricey, but will last you a long time. At bare minimum, you need alkalinity and calcium now. Those strips are very unreliable. You also need a way to test your salinity. What is your water source? Tap water is not a good option. Also, are you managing top off to compensate for evaporation? What is in that hang-on filter? While common in freshwater, they are not ideal for reef keeping. Most of us use protein skimmers and sometimes media bags or reactors for carbon. I assume you don’t have a sump though…

Look up BRS-TV on YouTube. They have a great beginner series that covers the basics.

I get 5 gallon jugs from a reef shop. No I do not have any of those items I wanted to start small. Like we did with the fresh water tank. Then we had baby’s so I got a 55gal tank for everyone. Thought I could use the 10 to try reefing and now I worried I really do not like killing anything so I do my best but it looks like I need more gear for this I have the test coming in. Hopefully they can hold on until then. I will go to the shop tomorrow and see what they say. This is all the food I have been giving them.