Losing Leathers

[Freenow54]

Good Morning: I have noticed a decline in the health of my leathers for about 3 weeks. I turned off my one filter that I added phosphate pads to about 2 months ago about 4 days ago. There was no change. The only other thing I did was add a hang off the back plant breeder and successfully am growing cheato in it. My readings from this morning are
Ammonia: o-0.25
PH: 7.8-8.0
Phosphate: 0.5
Nitrites 0-0.25
Nitrates: approximately 2 Any suggestions welcome thanks in advance: Wally

 

[Spare time]

Dose aminos. Your nitrates are probably too low (or there is too little input).

 

[PR_nano]

Bump nitrate, which light, photo period and flow do you have?

Edit also how are other corals is it just leathers affected?

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Softies need dirty water as already said above. I'd shoot for 5-10 ppm on the nitrate.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Good Morning: I have noticed a decline in the health of my leathers for about 3 weeks. I turned off my one filter that I added phosphate pads to about 2 months ago about 4 days ago. There was no change. The only other thing I did was add a hang off the back plant breeder and successfully am growing cheato in it. My readings from this morning are
Ammonia: o-0.25
PH: 7.8-8.0
Phosphate: 0.5
Nitrites 0-0.25
Nitrates: approximately 2 Any suggestions welcome thanks in advance: Wally

Light and flow are the main reasons they fall or pout. medium light and water flow and a little iron and stronium in water. Feed tank more if you have fish ASSUMING your test results are accurate.
Phos > .06-.08
Nitrate 15-20
salinity 1.025
Temp 77-79

 

[Freenow54]

Dose aminos. Your nitrates are probably too low (or there is too little input).

Dont know what aminos are.

 

[Freenow54]

Bump nitrate, which light, photo period and flow do you have?

Edit also how are other corals is it just leathers affected?

Have a 3 light Razor blue red white run 60% at peak . Have one power head run it near topas I learned low water flow is best for my mushrooms. How do you bump nitrate?

 

[Spare time]

Dont know what aminos are.

Amino acids. Basically you can use them as a coral "food" and they contain no phosphates (only nitrogen). They can come in handy when nitrates are reading very low or at 0. 0.5ppm phosphate is already pretty high so if you feed fish food heavily to raise nitrate, you'll likely raise phosphate higher.

 

[davidcalgary29]

One good source.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

your test results indicate you are probably using API test kits..... Get a better test kit, especially for phosphate.

the chaeto is probably competing with the leathers for the available nitrate/phosphate, but you are working blind if you are relying on API tests.

You need better, more accurate test kit, to figure you where you actually are, then can figure out what to do.

 

[Spare time]

your test results indicate you are probably using API test kits..... Get a better test kit, especially for phosphate.

the chaeto is probably competing with the leathers for the available nitrate/phosphate, but you are working blind if you are relying on API tests.

You need better, more accurate test kit, to figure you where you actually are, then can figure out what to do.

API doesn't read 2ppm on nitrate so maybe it's a different kit. Their lowest values are 5 and 0. But then again he might be saying it's between 0 and 5.

 

[Freenow54]

your test results indicate you are probably using API test kits..... Get a better test kit, especially for phosphate.































































the chaeto is probably competing with the leathers for the available nitrate/phosphate, but you are working blind if you are relying on API tests.































































You need better, more accurate test kit, to figure you where you actually are, then can figure out what to















API doesn't read 2ppm on nitrate so maybe it's a different kit. Their lowest values are 5 and 0. But then again he might be saying it's between 0 and 5.































do.







API doesn't read 2ppm on nitrate so maybe it's a different kit. Their lowest values are 5 and 0. But then again he might be saying it's between 0 and 5.

your test results indicate you are probably using API test kits..... Get a better test kit, especially for phosphate.

the chaeto is probably competing with the leathers for the available nitrate/phosphate, but you are working blind if you are relying on API tests.

You need better, more accurate test kit, to figure you where you actually are, then can figure out what to do.

I think that might be it. It is the only thing that is different. As to kits yes API for all except Phosphate it is Salifert. So I will be moving all the cheato out. Then I will wait and see. As to Nitrate yes it is a guess between 0 and 5.0

 

[Freenow54]

So not to start an out of control discussion. Since my fish store only carries API test equipment, and I would have to buy on Amazon What Test Kits are more accurate?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

So not to start an out of control discussion. Since my fish store only carries API test equipment, and I would have to buy on Amazon What Test Kits are more accurate?

You're in Canada, order from reefsupplies.com, thats my go-to store for any supplies or machinery.

 

[Freenow54]

You're in Canada, order from reefsupplies.com, thats my go-to store for any supplies or machinery.

yes but which brand?

 

[Freenow54]

You're in Canada, order from reefsupplies.com, thats my go-to store for any supplies or machinery.

Thanks for that very interesting store. Actually cheaper than Amazon

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

yes but which brand?

Personally, I like Hanna testers, because they give numbers instead of colors. But they are pretty expensive.

If you don't mind the colors, Salifert has good reputations for testers, and more reasonable price.

 

[olonmv]

I’m on the hanna train as-well. I personally hate color matching results and a digital readout makes me feel better about the test done. Tips for consistent test results I use are, I keep Liquid reagents in the fridge between uses, I always fill the cuvette to where the bottom of meniscus is at the line and I always face the 10ml print to the front.

 

[reeftankdude]

Amino acids. Basically you can use them as a coral "food" and they contain no phosphates (only nitrogen). They can come in handy when nitrates are reading very low or at 0. 0.5ppm phosphate is already pretty high so if you feed fish food heavily to raise nitrate, you'll likely raise phosphate higher.

What is the best amino acids product? Thanks

 

[Midrats]

I like to keep my test kits Dutch, therefore I choose Salifert. Hanna is ok, I have a few, they work.