Frustrated and out of ideas

[fragit]

Ok...Those are good kits/testers....I have seen some still using the API kits and was going to suggest something else if you were. Did you ahppen to try to post in the aquaforest forum? I tagged perry as he is one of the experts on the site with aquaforest products.

Yes I posted there and tagged Perry here as well.

 

[Perry]

Let me explain how these systems work, at least as best as I can based on my personal experience. Stability is #1, especially as it relates to SPS, that said, a stable alk is the starting point of any healthy sps/ acropora tank. Understanding the loss of mineral consumption, alk being the most important, having a means for making up that mineral without swing would be the number one factor of stability. After that, you want to ensure that your corals are using minerals, this gives you the ability to know whether or not the corals are metabolizing, otherwise, adding supplements to target vitamins, aminos, foods, and other nutrients are likely not being processed. So if you put them in your system, then you are simply fueling something else, but likely not the corals. Cause and effect. Sometimes we think to feed to induce coral health, or supplement to induce corals health, but these supplements will not bring corals to health, consistency and stability will do that. Once your corals appear to be metabolizing and growing, then we can add these supplements to meet their demands. I am not saying that this is the case, but something worth exploring. A target dose to one user is not the same from one tank to another, so if you have a tank full of frags, the recommended dose would be less than that of a tank with large colonies. I personally use PE as an indicator of coral health, it is a natural response for corals searching for food, to me this means they are likely going to process nutrients, a green light for dosing IMO. However, if you do not, then likely you are also not absorbing minerals, so this to me would be a yellow light at best, fringing on red light. This goes for any products, produced by any companies for that matter. I have seen too many cases where under feeding to achieve a good test result killing SPS corals. Please reach out to me personally and I will do what I can to help

 

[justingraham]

So did u mix your own 1-2-3 components ? Or did you but them?
If you mixed your own could u have messed up the dosage?
I'm sorry for ur loss

 

[fragit]

So did u mix your own 1-2-3 components ? Or did you but them?
If you mixed your own could u have messed up the dosage?
I'm sorry for ur loss

Nope it was premixed and ordered from either SaltySupply.com or Dr.FosterSmith I can't remember which.

 

[fragit]

So know real changes today. I don't see any signs of more loss or pailing colors. It actually looks like the forest fire Digi has grown a little. I'm not dosing anything. This morning nitrates were 2-3 and alk 7.9dkh. It has been suggested to let it drop to the mid 7 range. Not sure I'm comfortable with that. Does anyone have any opinion on the matter? Oh wait it's a reef keeping forum opinions are a dime a dozen. Just kidding I would really like to know some thoughts. Thank you all for your time, thoughts, questions, and knowledge it has truly been helpful and very appreciated.

 

[Perry]

Out of the AF Guide~ Optimal Water Params~ Alk-7.0dkh, Ca-410, Mg-1300, Salinity-34ppt, K-390

Please research this program, but also research all other carbon/bac driven systems, they require very similar values, I just took these numbers out of the downloadable guide, and while for US reefers, these values seem unconventional, they are simply based around natural sea water values. Cheers, hope you turn a new corner soon

 

[fragit]

I wrote my last update right before I headed to bed. On my way I usually grab a flashlight and takes peak inthe tank. Well the RR Excalibur Milli had a couple polyps out. Which is a good sign. Nothing so far this morning though. Just saw the video on Low Par, and I'm curious if turning my lights way down is having a positive effect. Time will tell, and time to check alk for the day.

 

[fragit]

Alk this morning 8.1 dkh with Hanna dkh colorimeter. 45 minutes or so after morning dose.

edit: Heliopora polyps way extended this morning, can't tell with anything else yet. Lights still coming on.