Help please ! Corals fading fast

Dkmoo · Feb 22, 2021

Mike H2020 said:
I just got new hydrometer and it’s definitely 1.022-1.023. Been like that since day 1 ( January )

Is there that much of a difference between 1.023 and .025 that would cause such drastic changes?

Yes, in terms of the important parameters - ca, mg, for ex, thats a 10% swing. Very big change in coral health terms.

Mike H2020 · Feb 22, 2021

vetteguy53081 said:
With coral yes and your salt again needs to be brought up. These coral do not do well in hyposalinity. 1.023 is too low.
Mag and CA need to be monitored especially with any stony coral. Nitrate is up there and phos plays a role.
Personally, you are not quite prepared for a coral tank without the proper test kits and monitoring of tank.
Are you using RODI water or tap water from the faucet to mix and add to your tank water ?

As huge suggestion: Take a good water sample to a Trusted LFS that does Not use API test kits and have them check all your parameters to see what they come with and to compare with yours.

Good to know. I am using RODI purchaserd in 5 gal jugs

LegendaryCG · Feb 22, 2021

Mike H2020 said:
I just got new hydrometer and it’s definitely 1.022-1.023. Been like that since day 1 ( January )

Is there that much of a difference between 1.023 and .025 that would cause such drastic changes?

Low salinity brings all your mineral levels lower - fish are ok running lower but corals actually like higher salinities.

Mike H2020 · Feb 22, 2021

Dkmoo said:
Yes, in terms of the important parameters - ca, mg, for ex, thats a 10% swing. Very big change in coral health terms.

Well noob mistakes I thought I’d avoid

Mike H2020 · Feb 22, 2021

LegendaryCG said:
low salinity brings all your mineral levels lower - fish are ok running lower but corals actually like higher salinities,

Corals i understand; but I was of the impression that the snails were a bit more forgiving

Mike H2020 · Feb 22, 2021

Tiki Reef Joshua said:
Your salinity is low. You probably had a swing. Even when things seem stable a swing may have occurred. I’d get your salinity up. Maybe not all at once but I’d get it up.

Ok so should I drain a couple gallons and add some higher salinity back to average it out ?

LegendaryCG · Feb 22, 2021

Oh I didn’t see that part about snails.. yeah they don’t usually die too easy. Turbos need a lot of food.

Tiki Reef Joshua · Feb 22, 2021

IMO... yes. We’re you running at 025? Can you be sure about that? Maybe you were at 027. I dunno. Newer tanks aren’t kind with swings. Stability is key. My alk dropped from 8.5 to 8 and I noticed a huge difference but caught it in time. Best of luck.

vetteguy53081 · Feb 22, 2021

Mike H2020 said:
I just got new hydrometer and it’s definitely 1.022-1.023. Been like that since day 1 ( January )

Is there that much of a difference between 1.023 and .025 that would cause such drastic changes?

It indeed has a negative effect on corals and in some cases induce a bleaching effect as in your case. Recent studies show that drastic changes in salinity in the sea, e.g. severe freshwater flooding, caused recently in northeastern Queensland (Australia) due to abnormal monsoon conditions. The salinity fluctuation caused a similar stress response,
When the salinity of seawater is lowered, or hyposalinity is applied, the decreased osmotic pressure of the water causes tissue cells to expand with water, thus the related name: osmotic shock therapy (OST).
corals live in conditions with naturally high salinity and are also known to be resistant to bleaching.

vetteguy53081 · Feb 22, 2021

Mike H2020 said:
Good to know. I am using RODI purchaserd in 5 gal jugs

Test that water for : Nitrates. phosphate, ammonia and PH. You may as many others have, been getting bad water or water with parameters throwing your own chemistry off

vetteguy53081 · Feb 22, 2021

Mike H2020 said:
Ok so should I drain a couple gallons and add some higher salinity back to average it out ?

Add it to sump G R A D U A L L Y

Mike H2020 · Feb 22, 2021

vetteguy53081 said:
Test that water for : Nitrates. phosphate, ammonia and PH. You may as many others have, been getting bad water or water with parameters throwing your own chemistry off

Oh man. Didn’t think of that one. If it checks out good im gonna try and bump up the salinity by 5 gals per week and see how that goes. Probably take a month or so to get there

vetteguy53081 · Feb 22, 2021

Mike H2020 said:
Oh man. Didn’t think of that one. If it checks out good im gonna try and bump up the salinity by 5 gals per week and see how that goes. Probably take a month or so to get there

You my friend will get there. There is hope for recovery as long as the parameters are met.
Do take my advice on having your water tested at LFS to confirm your water readings and allow you to adjust those that are off

Mike H2020 · Feb 24, 2021

vetteguy53081 said:
You my friend will get there. There is hope for recovery as long as the parameters are met.
Do take my advice on having your water tested at LFS to confirm your water readings and allow you to adjust those that are off

Ordered up a reefbot today so that should help with getting frequent readings

Mike H2020 · Feb 27, 2021

I took your advice and took water sample into LfS for analysis. All parmeters pretty darn close to previously discussed levels. So no problem let’s add a few more snails. Well they were temp acclimated for 20 mins; placed into tank and then all totally dead after 30 mins in tank. Narcissisis came up from under sand bed and practically exploded while dying. So strange. Gonna send water to triton labs for investigation!

Tiki Reef Joshua · Feb 27, 2021

You are SURE your salinity is correct? You are not a major digit off?

Mike H2020 · Feb 27, 2021

Tiki Reef Joshua said:
You are SURE your salinity is correct? You are not a major digit off?

Triple checked. I have refractometer, plastic hydrometer and verified at LfS

Shmollica · Feb 27, 2021

Mike H2020 said:
I took your advice and took water sample into LfS for analysis. All parmeters pretty darn close to previously discussed levels. So no problem let’s add a few more snails. Well they were temp acclimated for 20 mins; placed into tank and then all totally dead after 30 mins in tank. Narcissisis came up from under sand bed and practically exploded while dying. So strange. Gonna send water to triton labs for investigation!

Idk man I’d be pretty freaked out about that one and just change 100% of the water. Back in 2009 my first tank I ran with tap water (uninformed) and never had exploding snails lol idk if triton is gonna be able to tell you what’s causing it.