Flow issues or something else?

[IntuMarine1G]

Hey all. Been a while since I posted hope everyone is doing well.

Does this look like an issue with not enough flow or do you think something is eating the polyps? I recently added a peppermint shrimp and I cant decide if its been picking at this or if its just coincidence and it something else, my first thought as mentioned is flow. I know that tips can show as white skeleton while it is growing but this is starting to go down the branches as well.

Thanks for any help in advance, as always!

 

[sarcophytonIndy]

I doubt it would be the peppermints. What have you changed recently? Lighting?

 

[IntuMarine1G]

I doubt it would be the peppermints. What have you changed recently? Lighting?

The only thing I've changed since adding it has been my return pump. Hence my thoughts on it being a flow related issue. No idea what it is

 

[sarcophytonIndy]

what fish do you have?

 

[IntuMarine1G]

what fish do you have?

Clowns, Firefish and Pygmy Goby

 

[themcfreak]

It almost looks like the tips are burning. Light too bright? Or not enough nutrients in tank?

 

[IntuMarine1G]

It almost looks like the tips are burning. Light too bright? Or not enough nutrients in tank?

If anything my nutrients would be on the higher side lol should I maybe move it lower? Wouldnt hurt to try I suppose...

 

[themcfreak]

If anything my nutrients would be on the higher side lol should I maybe move it lower? Wouldnt hurt to try I suppose...

What are your parameters at?

 

[IntuMarine1G]

What are your parameters at?

Temp 26
PH 8
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate <0.25
Phos <0.25
Salinity 1.025
Alk 7
Calcium 540

 

[themcfreak]

Phos at <0.25? Those are normally kept around 0.02. Nitrate is really low, not sure how you get a reading that low either. Most recommend nitrates kept between 2 and 5, and phosphate around 0.02. I wouldn't go changing anything until you confirm those test though, to be safe.

 

[themcfreak]

Calcium is also really high. That should normally be at 410ish with a 7 alk reading.

 

[IntuMarine1G]

Phos at <0.25? Those are normally kept around 0.02. Nitrate is really low, not sure how you get a reading that low either. Most recommend nitrates kept between 2 and 5, and phosphate around 0.02. I wouldn't go changing anything until you confirm those test though, to be safe.

I only have an API test kit currently and according to that my phosphate is 0 ppm, however I've heard they can be quite a bit off so I just measure <0.25 ppm as thats the first level on the test.

My Nitrate was a typo sorry that should have been 2.5. But again thats based on being between 0 and 5 ppm on the API test.

 

[IntuMarine1G]

Calcium is also really high. That should normally be at 410ish with a 7 alk reading.

Aw ok cool. Any help on how to lower?

 

[themcfreak]

only way to lower it is to not dose it, or do a water change with salt mix that is lower, that I know of. I will say though, it may not be a bad thing, just not at levels that equal the alk you are at. I am not sure of side effects of high calcium.

 

[IntuMarine1G]

Picture for ref.

 

[IntuMarine1G]

only way to lower it is to not dose it, or do a water change with salt mix that is lower, that I know of. I will say though, it may not be a bad thing, just not at levels that equal the alk you are at. I am not sure of side effects of high calcium.

I dose 2.5ml weekly of Microbe Lift all in 1 I believe it has Calcium in it I will check. If it does I shall stop for now.

 

[themcfreak]

That seems to be a very high range phosphate kit? It looks like API but I haven't used it before. Everything I have ever tested is in 0.02 to 0.16 ppm (look up Red Sea Phosphate Pro)

 

[themcfreak]

I dose 2.5ml weekly of Microbe Lift all in 1 I believe it has Calcium in it I will check. If it does I shall stop for now.

That might work, but if it is an all in one, be aware it might cause a alk drop also, which you don't want. If it is alk and calcium, it might be worth dosing alk alone for a little while until they equal out.

 

[IntuMarine1G]

That seems to be a very high range phosphate kit? It looks like API but I haven't used it before. Everything I have ever tested is in 0.02 to 0.16 ppm (look up Red Sea Phosphate Pro)

Yeah I've spoke to a few people who have advised to change. Guess its about time to. Haha