Reef Not Doing Well

[jt17]

Ok, I will increase the frequency of my water changes. I calibrated the TDS meter and it still shows my RO output at zero, so that's good. I will pull the BioPellets and the GFO. It's a strange feeling to just turn equipment off, but I will go back to the basics of water changes and hopefully the tank will respond. As for lights, while I'm doing this, would it be helpfull to cut the photoperiod or should I leave that variable alone? The tank does not have an algae problem, I just see the lightened corals and my instinct is that the light is a factor. (Not saying at all that my instinct is correct, just acknowledging that it is what i've been focusing on) Perhaps that's why I wasn't looking at the Biopellets.

Remember to adjust these parameters as gradually as you can. Change one variable at a time, when possible. Maybe remove half of the BP and continue with GFO to bring the phosphates into check and in 2-3 weeks pull it entirely. You don't want to go cold turkey from carbon dosing. I feel you though, you want to make things right ASAP. This fix is no problem but just takes a little time.

 

[MioReefer]

Can we get an update on how your tank is doing so far?

 

[Francisco Amanti]

Sorry it has taken me some time to respond.

The reef is doing about the same as before. A few of the corals that previously appeared bleached, the brain corals and a montipora, have come back very well. The other montipora, which had been thriving previously bleached completely. The birds nests are completely bone white. The acros all crashed with the exception of one which is deep green and is growing like a weed. The euphyllia has expanded to the point where it dominates a side of the tank and the mushrooms are multiplying like crazy.

As for parameters, the only change is that now the phosphate is undetectable.

I remain fully at my wits end. I am confused as to why some of the corals recover well, while at the same time the other colonies of the exact coral crash.

I am doing 20% water changes weekly. My water parameters are not grossly off, and with due respect to prior posters, the tank is not unstable. I get the same results chemistry-wise every time I test. I've even gone to the length of getting different test kit brands to double check.

I suppose that perhaps I need to give it more time, but I still feel that there is something that is off that I am overlooking.

 

[miamiangler]

I read that you used a cup of GFO , I only use about 8 ounces of GFO for my tanks and run It In the reactor very slowly ,just enough to keep the stuff moving . Just my 2 cents . Which led do you have from Reef Radiance ? I have the Lumentek 180&240 on my 65&60 gal .I have a DM132 which is going to be upgraded to the DM165p+this week on my 29gal. I have had good growth of my corals and the tanks been running with the Leds from 1 year to two years .I wish you luck and give it more time . In this hobby nothing good happens fast !

 

[maroun.c]

Believe it's a combination of high Po4 and a switch to LED and comeback to MH which after months can be another change that can affect the corals another time.
I havefaced a similar mishap after a tank move and major upgrade 3 years back and just found out the cause and started getting things back to normal a few months back. High phosphates and low nitrates can lead to nitrates becoming a limiting factor to PO4 use by bacteria (as theyneed proportional amounts of PO4 NO3 and Carbon) basically your BP effect is minimized by lack of nitrates. So your only working on Phosphates via the GFO you use and water changes, which can make it slow to reduce PO4 based on how frequently you are changing your GFO. your tank has been stable since only 2 months, I say give it few more weeks and allow your PO4 and NO3 to rise a tiny bit. keep on doing water changes and update us in few weeks from now.

 

[dankreef]

Whenever I have tank issues I can't solve I go back to basics. Take the phosphate removing media offline, no carbon, no unnecessary dosing or additives and start over with your calcium and alk dosing as well. Make sure your RO/DI water is 100% zero TDS.

I know coral pro has a high alk also so maybe your nutrients are too low and the higher alk salt is causing problems. Maybe that's not it either but just throwing out an option. I know some have had issues with that salt.

+1 ritter. P04 removal without a TON of fish = no fewdz for coralz.