Should I ditch the carbon/gfo??

[Michael43]

Recently have lost a couple nice frags in my tank and have another couple not looking so great. My chalices all are getting white and fuzzy too. I'm baffled what to do. All parameters are consistent and good. Only thing I can think of is maybe it's the carbon and gfo reactor? I have always used it tho and wasn't having problems always. I think I need at least some gfo to keep phosphate in check but run a very low amount. Recently got a potassium test kit and got those numbers up a bit. Puzzled as to what to do

 

[d2mini]

Doubtful it's the carbon.
The GFO could be pulling out too much nutrients.
How long has this been going on? Any pics?
Any magnets in your tank that could be rusting? Probe holders, algae clips, Vortechs, etc? There seems to be a lot of this happening lately, especially with the Neptune probe holders.

 

[Michael43]

Yeah I'm not sure what it is. Sps are getting a brownish color to some of them and a couple got RTN/STN. A couple completely wasted away. I seem to also be seeing less polyp extension. Almost panicking and I know this hobby involves tough times but just can't figure this out. I don't use apex probe holders, no raw exposed magnets although I do have magnetic frag racks as well as a fragtastic reef magnetic rock with corals in it. I also do run 2 vortechs... Think these could be the issue?

 

[Michael43]

I can get pics tomorrow. I feel it started a couple weeks ago but this week it seemed to have gotten signicantlh worse. Lost my wwc after party as well as some other "designer" pricey pieces. My nitrates are pretty low, o-2 or so but phos is .03 or so today.

 

[d2mini]

although I do have magnetic frag racks as well as a fragtastic reef magnetic rock with corals in it. I also do run 2 vortechs... Think these could be the issue?

This is what I'm talking about.
Pull them out and check the casings around the magnets. Make sure there is no rusting/orange stuff leaking out around seals or any cracks or anything like that.
Saltwater seems to penetrate anything eventually.
I had a two little fishes algae clip rust on me once. All my sps were losing their slime coats and stn'ing. Looked like they had dandruff. Once I figured it out and removed the clip everything that was left bounced back.

 

[Michael43]

Well I guess I could certainly do this although these racks have a lot of pieces in them. Each one is nearly full of 20-30 frags each. But I guess doing some work could be worth it in the end

 

[Syntax1235]

You mentioned that you raised your potassium? What was the level? What did you bring it up to? IME, low potassium has caused stn, poor pe and loss of color.

 

[Michael43]

It was 370. I raised it to 400

 

[Syntax1235]

It was 370. I raised it to 400

That doesn't seem like it would cause those issues. Mine was around 320 when I experienced problems.

 

[Michael43]

Yeah that's why I'm puzzled. All levels that I can check are fine

 

[Michael43]

I read some people ditched there carbon and things did much better so curious if I'm at a point where I should try that

 

[saltwaterpicaso]

what else do you run for filtration I also run gfo and carbon and have noticed my corals especialy lps losing color not all color but look faded and am considering ditching the gfo

 

[Michael43]

I run very low amount of gfo. I have a uv sterilizer that runs but other than a skimmer it's just all mechanical filtration like socks and floss

 

[Michael43]

I dose acro power, Lps aminos, strontium, iodine and obviously alk and ca. mag stays fine with water changes. Obviously I will be dosing potassium now as well to keep around 400.

 

[Syntax1235]

Maybe feed your fish more?

 

[Lynchmob3000]

You don't need gfo unless that .03 number rises easily? My frag tank sits at .03 p04 and I don't run any gfo, I feed alot and have 3 tangs 3 cardinals and a cb so I have a decent load I just don't need gfo bc I run minimal live rock.

 

[RedneckReefer68]

In my 40b, I've tried to run carbon that I got from premium Aquatics 2 different times and experienced what you have going on. The second time was only 2 tablespoons in a mesh bag for 50g total and same thing happened still after the first time I ran it. I pulled it 2 days ago and can already see a difference in affected frags.

 

[Michael43]

Maybe I'll try removing the carbon and see if it helps. I probably need the gfo but at a very small amount. It can't really be snything to do with me using a uv sterilizer 24/7 right?

 

[Michael43]

Lowered my carbon level today to about 1/3 the recommended amount. We'll see if this does anything

 

[Ike]

I dose acro power, Lps aminos, strontium, iodine and obviously alk and ca. mag stays fine with water changes. Obviously I will be dosing potassium now as well to keep around 400.

You've got a lot going on...

What makes you think you need this stuff? Two amino acid supplements when you don't even need one. It's totally superfluous and in some cases potentially detrimental. strontium and potassium in particular can be toxic it elevated levels. Also, I've never seen a shred of scientific evidence that would suggest potassium and strontium dosing is a good idea.

I don't like UV sterilizers in reef tanks as they can potentially lower some natural food sources and don't really provide much benefit.

Also, with today's powerful protein skimmers and people driving nutrients low I rarely recommend running GAC at all times. Use as something to removed unwanted color from the water 2-3 days out of a month. It's not needed otherwise and can do harm, along with GFO, when "nutrients" are too low.

What is your fish load like? Any pics of your tank? How old is the tank? Do you dip all corals?

My suggestion for now is to get back to some basics, some good sized water changes, and maintaining the big three. Skip all of the rest....