My corals are dying

New2dareef · May 25, 2016

I'm very new to saltwater and I'm learning from this forum (2 years) and a frag tank I've had for around 5 months. My LPS corals have all been holding up well and some growing well up until a month ago. I have Hanna test kits and a Seneye reef for my testing. I also have a Vertex Refractometer. Here's what I have
Salinity 16 ( Hanna tester says multiply by 3.29 = 52.64
Nitrite 16
Alkalinity 61
Calcium 484
Phosphate 0
Any help would be appreciated

melypr1985 · May 25, 2016

What corals are dying? Do you have pictures of them? Did you mean to say Nitrite or Nitrate?

Anirban · May 25, 2016

Your nitrite is 16??? How the alkalinity reads 61 in Hanna reader?

New2dareef · May 25, 2016

I have a Hanna nitrite tester
When results come in it reads 16. The yellow card that came with the test reads. Multiply the reading by a factor of 3.29

New2dareef · May 25, 2016

Dying corals are blastos, Duncan hasn't open in a month. Trumpet coral

Tahoe61 · May 25, 2016

Recheck the alk, and check or use a new reagent bottle if you have one. Last time I tested I got 61 as well (how weird is that), any way opened up a new reagent bottle and low and behold the reagent had gone bad. Hanna reads in ppm so that would mean you have a dkh of 3.4, highly unlikely if you do any dosing or water changes. I suspect you're getting bad alk readings.

DustinReefer · May 25, 2016

What's you ammonia at? Nitrites need to be 0. That alk is way out of whack too. You dosing with something?

melypr1985 · May 25, 2016

New2dareef said:
I have a Hanna nitrite tester
When results come in it reads 16. The yellow card that came with the test reads. Multiply the reading by a factor of 3.29

So your nitrite is 16 X 3.92 = 52.64? This is confusing, but regardless you shouldn't have any nitrite in your system. It will adversely effect any living creature to a certain extent. Nitrite is toxic and is a sign that your tank isn't done cycling. Are these readings from the 5 month old frag tank?

Anirban · May 25, 2016

If what you are saying is true and your nitrite reads 16ppm then you should immediately change water and remove your livestock. Its toxic to everything including fish and corals.How old is the system? What about alkalinity?????Is it really 61???

New2dareef · May 25, 2016

Also my ph always seem to run high. 8.2 to 8.5

Anirban · May 25, 2016

I would suggest make some fresh saltwater and use your alkalinity reader to measure. If you still read very low then you need new reagent. Which salt do you use?

New2dareef · May 25, 2016

I've been barreling hair algae for a few months doing weekly water changes. 8 to 10 gal in a 20 gal tank

New2dareef · May 25, 2016

Batteling

DustinReefer · May 25, 2016

New2dareef said:
I've been barreling hair algae for a few months doing weekly water changes. 8 to 10 gal in a 20 gal tank

RODI?

rock_lobster · May 25, 2016

Your tank is toxic. You need to quickly perform a 50% water change. You will need to take a bottle of prime and probably pour in about a 5x dose that will neutralize it.