I am so confused

sweat044 · Jul 25, 2012

I have done so much research. I have a 90 Gallon with 2 20k LED's. A sump, protein skimmer all the things needed. I can grown Zoas, Palys and mushrooms. I got some Acans by trading some Zoas. I have NO idea what I am doing. They look like crap in my tank. I have been spot feeding, changing locations for more/less light. Now I think they have a bacteria infection. Please someone help. I am at my breaking point......... What is needed to keep more than just Zoas?

SeahorseKeeper · Jul 25, 2012

What LED's do you have? What are the parameters? Tank pics?

larryl · Jul 25, 2012

Test your water is a good start. How many inches from the water are the leds? How lomg is your light cycle? And any temp swings by chance?

TulsaTye · Jul 25, 2012

LPS seem to like the water a lil dirtier...phosphates! Need to check your Cal, Mag, and Alk! Put your acan on the bottom to start.

sweat044 · Jul 25, 2012

I will test the water and get the Params.

CRW Reefer · Jul 25, 2012

You have a coral beauty by chance or any other potential coral nippers?

Harry_Y · Jul 25, 2012

How old is your tank?

sweat044 · Jul 25, 2012

The tank is about 6 months old. No Coral nippers that I know of. The fish I have are

Yellow Tang
B&W Clowns
Chromis
Blue Headed Fairy Wrasse
Purple Fire Fish
PJ Cardinals

Harry_Y · Jul 25, 2012

TulsaTye said:
LPS seem to like the water a lil dirtier...phosphates! Need to check your Cal, Mag, and Alk! Put your acan on the bottom to start.

Yes they do. I no longer run a skimmer, and run a scrubber,
I did it as an experiment and my corals seemed to do better.

Zoas are funny, some do great in my tank and others I have a very hard time with.

ritter6788 · Jul 25, 2012

I have seen Acans melt under leds. Even "lower light" leds can fry an Acan if it's not VERY slowly acclimated. Try shading some if you can and see if any improve.

kuyatwo · Jul 25, 2012

I would check your alk. Could be to high or to low

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sweat044 · Jul 25, 2012

Params are as follows:

PH 8.2
Ammonia-0
Nitrate-0
Nitrite-0
Temp 79
Salinity- 1.26
Copper 0
Alk-8
Calcium- 280

ritter6788 · Jul 25, 2012

sweat044 said:
Params are as follows:

Calcium- 280

Unless that's a typo then that's your problem.

sweat044 · Jul 25, 2012

I used some test and it told me to add drops and count them then look at a chart. It should be like 380 correct? I am going to test again. Is that the only thing out of whack?

TulsaTye · Jul 27, 2012

I would raise Cal to at least 400, what is ur magnesium?

Chameleon · Jul 27, 2012

ritter6788 said:
Unless that's a typo then that's your problem.

Yep I would go with there lies your problem. Remember Acans are stony corals and they need good calcium and alk to calcify. As other mentioned it may be beneficial to check your mag as if that is out of whack it makes it hard to get calc and alk in whack. If you dont have a test kit for mag and dosing doesn't bring it up(means your mag is probably low) large water changes with a good salt mix will.

psionicdragon · Jul 27, 2012

many people have experiences with acan shifting color under leds.

KJAG · Jul 27, 2012

psionicdragon said:
many people have experiences with acan shifting color under leds.

True: for the better in my case.Threw some rainbow acans that morphed into more of a red in my display(t5's) into my 12 nano (LEDs) and they came back close to their original coloring.

sweat044 · Jul 27, 2012

What is a good test kit for Calc, Alk and Mag?

For these corals to flourish what should Params be without hurting my zoas?

KJAG · Jul 27, 2012

Salifert on all three. Once you have your routine down you'll rarely need to test Mg as long as you stay up on water changes. Kh and Ca are key to test often though