High Levels of TOC in the Reef

[Daniel Almeida Prado]

Hello Guys,

I am a new user here, but an older aquarist.

In 2013, I start a new 1300g reef project called Concave Reef. All of the steps of the reef build can be found in this link http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2303265

Unfortunately, since that time I can’t stabilize the reef chemistry of this aquarium.

During the first 6 years of the reef I trying all of the mechanisms to run a coral reef, but the coral always dying. The fishes going very good, but softs, LPSs and hard coral’s, always dying. In my reef experience I ran at least 10 reefs in 25 years of experience, always successfully, but something happening with this reef.

Last year the Triton company starts to operate in Brazil and I got the problem. My reef has a lot of TOC, which is incompatible with the marine reef life. So, I found what’s responsible for the corals death.

This year, I am trying to find what’s responsible for the increase level of TOC, but I can’t find the source.

That’s is the reason of this threat, to find the source of this TOC. Someone can help me in this? Today, I run the reef totally Triton methods, without siporax as show in the Concave link.

Many thanks for all,

Daniel

 

[jwshiver]

What is TOC?

 

[Cory]

What is TOC?

Total organic carbon. Basically dissolved organic materials.

 

[Greg P]

@Daniel Almeida Prado
What TOC levels do you have?

Do you perform the same % water changes on the 1300g as you did with the other tanks? Stuff from your source water may be building up without big enough WCs, or your export methods aren't keeping up.

What are all your tank parameters?

 

[wtac]

I remember that build from years back and just glossing over the thread, I don't see much for nutrient export other than the protein skimmers, carbon and (assuming) water changes.

An update on the system and current water parameters will help us help you with a few suggestions.

 

[Daniel Almeida Prado]

@Daniel Almeida Prado
What TOC levels do you have?

Do you perform the same % water changes on the 1300g as you did with the other tanks? Stuff from your source water may be building up without big enough WCs, or your export methods aren't keeping up.

What are all your tank parameters?

Hello Greg,

I did a lot of big water changes without decrease in TOC levels. I also did RO/DI Triton test and all parameters was perfect. No high levels of TOCs in RO/DI.

I will post the tank parameters after the new tests this week

Rgds,

Daniel

 

[Daniel Almeida Prado]

I remember that build from years back and just glossing over the thread, I don't see much for nutrient export other than the protein skimmers, carbon and (assuming) water changes.

An update on the system and current water parameters will help us help you with a few suggestions.

Many thanks Wtac,

I will post the new paremetrs of the reef.

Rgds,

Daniel

 

[Bato367]

I just looked at your build on Reef Central. Amazing setup! How many fish do you have in there? Do you feed little, medium or high amounts of food? I won't know the answer to your problem, just brainstorming...

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

As I stated in your other thread, while lowering TOC might be accomplished with GAC and skimming and binders such as Purigen, IMO there is not evidence that it is a problem that needs fixing.