Help! Is my tank crashing for some reason?

[BBestvin]

When doing a water change, how much water are you changing?

When I was doing biweekly water changes I was doing roughly 4 gallons, which I know is alot, so when I dropped down to weekly, I change out about 2g. In my experience, there is really no downside to more frequent water changes, but I may be overlooking something...

 

[BBestvin]

This is bizarre. With cyano, your nitrate and phosphate would be elevated
A possibility is if you have a mixed reef which is what I run, both lps and sps can release toxins and compete
In lieu of carbon, add chemipure blue or elite which will remove toxins and keep no3 and po4 in check

You seem to be a pretty experienced reefer, so I think your insight would be valuable. So, I have a new theory. In your years of reef keeping, have you ever had a water change have a negative impact on your tank? I think regardless of parameters and nutrients, water changes are pretty much always a good thing. The reason I ask is bc I have experienced the same. Sometimes corals will be grumpy for an hour right after a water change but that's about it. Since my tank looked much much worse after my water change, I'm theorizing my "clean" water was contaminated. Unfortunately the bucket of clean water was sitting out in a common area of my house for a week, uncovered. My kids had friends over and I'm thinking hair spray or perfume or a myriad of other things could have settled in that bucket. Could that be a possibility?

 

[BeMoto]

Imo you need to do more testing and do more research on what your corals need to stay alive.

Yes water changes are typically good thing to do. But there should be a reason behind everything you do. Your water changes might not be provided your corals what they need. By testing some basic parameters you know what your adding to the tank and what you are removing. You have to know where your at so you know where to go.

I also wouldn't leave your water out uncover for a long period of time. I wouldn't point the finger at this being your only proplem. I won't even drink a glass of water that's been out for several hours.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[vetteguy53081]

You seem to be a pretty experienced reefer, so I think your insight would be valuable. So, I have a new theory. In your years of reef keeping, have you ever had a water change have a negative impact on your tank? I think regardless of parameters and nutrients, water changes are pretty much always a good thing. The reason I ask is bc I have experienced the same. Sometimes corals will be grumpy for an hour right after a water change but that's about it. Since my tank looked much much worse after my water change, I'm theorizing my "clean" water was contaminated. Unfortunately the bucket of clean water was sitting out in a common area of my house for a week, uncovered. My kids had friends over and I'm thinking hair spray or perfume or a myriad of other things could have settled in that bucket. Could that be a possibility?

Experienced. . well 37+ years, I sure hope so. . .LOL
yes and the reason I do 1-2 water changes per year
After a water change is a different story as sand and flow is disturbed during a water change and will temporarily elevate Phosphate and nitrate.
I have dedicated bucket for the aquarium only and are covered with plastic bag and placed in a closet- not placed in a basement or garage where fumes, chemicals and lint can reach them.
All are not just possibilities but often occurrences