Please help tell me what's wrong.

[Tab28]

That is 11 DKH apx
So with ALK that high with no no3 can spell trouble.
Back off water changes let it fall naturally down to 7 to 8 DKH
If you don't have proper export just do smaller water changes with a few more days in between

High alk with low nitrates is so over looked with low nutrient systems. We all have been programmed the tripod of magnesium, alk and calcium to be balanced. It leaves out the balance needed for nutrition absorption. This is more important for LPS. Even SPS which generally like higher alk levels. Look better with some nitrates.

 

[steiger33]

So tested everything again today. As follows
High PH 8.0
dKH. 12
mag. 1520
Cal. 480
phos 0.50
nitrate 0

Is mag way to high?

 

[steiger33]

So the Leptastrea died on me. The only corals I have are Zoa's some Polyps and a *** of Chalice. Any recommendations? Also got rid of the Green Element LED since Par was under 75 at 12" below the rim. I am running 2 36" T5 6 bulb.

Here is an update pic of the tank also.

 

[steiger33]

Bump

 

[Tahoe61]

Your mag is really not that outrageous, you can go up 100 ppm each day without issue to around 1600, than you might see issues with snails and other inverts.

Your alk is an issue, let it drop down to the 8-9 dkh.

Stop doing water changes unless you see a detectable ammonia or nitrite level. Your phos is too high but we'll deal with that later, use ONLY RO/DI water for top off and water changes. No dosing.

Nothing good happens fast in this hobby. The lighting change is an improvement.

Go slow and you'll be adding corals again once the water chemistry stabilizes.

 

[jonbar1]

Generally if an LPS like that Leptastrea starts peeling off its own skeleton it is going through shock. Did it start looking like that soon after it was added to your tank? I'm guessing the tank it came from had quite different parameters than your own and didn't get the time to acclimate to its new surroundings. Additional stresses like high lighting and temperature compound the issue and accelerate it's demise. If you received it like that, I'm guessing it was in stagnant conditions for too long before going in your tank (like in a plastic bag for too long).

The parameters you posted seem fine, and if your tank has matured I wouldn't worry much about them other than something spiking like nitrate or ammonia. In the future, start LPS corals in shady spots after a decent acclimation period to let the coral slowly get used to its new water chemistry and temperature, then move it to a brighter position and watch it closely for signs of stress or bleaching. If they look bad when you get them, or smell rotten, you are in for a challenge to nurse them back.

 

[steiger33]

Generally if an LPS like that Leptastrea starts peeling off its own skeleton it is going through shock. Did it start looking like that soon after it was added to your tank? I'm guessing the tank it came from had quite different parameters than your own and didn't get the time to acclimate to its new surroundings. Additional stresses like high lighting and temperature compound the issue and accelerate it's demise. If you received it like that, I'm guessing it was in stagnant conditions for too long before going in your tank (like in a plastic bag for too long).

The parameters you posted seem fine, and if your tank has matured I wouldn't worry much about them other than something spiking like nitrate or ammonia. In the future, start LPS corals in shady spots after a decent acclimation period to let the coral slowly get used to its new water chemistry and temperature, then move it to a brighter position and watch it closely for signs of stress or bleaching. If they look bad when you get them, or smell rotten, you are in for a challenge to nurse them back.

Thank you for your help. I did do the acclimating and did the drip for 2 hrs. But I think like you said it was in the bag to long.

 

[Stephanie11]

What salt are you using?

When I was using reef crystals my alk was at 14 calcium at 440 mag at 1300. I have anywhere from 100-200 lps and zoa frags colonies. For the past 6 months I've been switching to regular instant ocean. Right now I'm at a 50/50 blend. I buy 200 gal boxes which there are 4 bags, you need to mix them real well. I'll test tomorrow. I have been thinking of switching salt but I go through so much as it is between 2 and sometimes 3 tanks. Btw my tanks are not low nutrient by any means. I have 14 fish in the display and feed like crazy.

I always could grow corals though. Leps don't like high alk. as most corals don't like high alk in a low nutrient system.

 

[steiger33]

I was running reef crystals