slow die off

chemtig · Apr 8, 2015

I have had a saltwater tank of some kind for about 20 years. Mostly in the High mountains of Colorado. I first had a 65 gallon fish tank. It did well for many years. I had two blue tuxedo urchin at that time. At one point I lost track of one of them and last the entire tank. Then I went to a 100 gal cube mainly reef tank. Things went quite well. The water out of the tap was perfect. I now have had to move to Las Vegas. The move was horrendous for everything, not just the coral. Things started to do well, and then all of a sudden no growth and a very slow die off. I still have some of the coral but I do not want to buy more until I can find out what is going on. I am at a lose. I can not keep my Ca high enough 370 is about it even dosing every day. pH = 8.3, kh = 130ppm,
Salinity = 1.026. Nitrates, Nitrites, Phosphates, Ammonia all at 0. I am doing 6 gal water changes every 10-12 days.

The water quality here in Vegas is miserable. I dont want to be in it, let alone breathe it. TDS is around 520ppm. I have a Kinetico three stage RO system that then runs through a pressure ballast that keeps pressure stable for 2 gal at a time. A strip test shows the water at about 30ppm.

I have a Current LED lights. Hang on the back protein skimmer. Filter system of increasingly finer pads as well as a carbon sack I replace about every 2 months. I use Instant Ocean salt crystals with the orange label, and Brightwell aquatics Mg and Ca supplements.

I have never been so frustrated with this hobby as I am now. At this point I will try just about anything. I think my next step would be to buy only bottled water and do 10 gal water changes for a few months and see what happens.

Any help will be taken with gratitude.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 8, 2015

There is no DI on that RO system? That's a good place to start.

As to calcium,you should be able to add enough calcium chloride to keep a higher calcium level.

Can you detail exactly how much of what you are adding to the tank? You didn't mention alkalinity supplements.

How do fish do in the tank?

Small triggers · Apr 8, 2015

I second needing a DI stage and at that possibly 2 depending on the output after.
Have you gotten a water report to find out exactly what is in the water?

chemtig · Apr 8, 2015

Wow I did not realize it was not also a DI system. I will look into that.

I am dosing Calcium at 10 ml a day of Brightwell Aquatics and 10 ml every other day Mg. When I need an increase pH I use eight.four from aquavitro. For Kalkwasser I use Bulk Reef Supply. I have not had to add either in a few weeks.

I have one blue tailed damsel in the aquarium. I have a lot of the little critters that look like star fish that eats Coralline algae. I realize I need to get rid of them with a Harlequin shrimp. I am just afraid of killing it before I get my aquarium under control. I have not done a full water test on the system but I am sure I could get it from the company.

I can not tell you how appreciative I am of the help. In Colorado, I used tap water (high mountains). I never had any issues with my tank and great growth.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 8, 2015

FWIW, the limewater will boost pH much more than the Aquavitro 8.4 for the same amount of alkalinity added. Don't add either based on pH, but on alkalinity needs.

chemtig · Apr 8, 2015

So I guess I have to start getting bottled DI until I look into a di add on to my existing RO. Does this sound like the next step?

Freak_Reefer · Apr 8, 2015

yes, Add DI stage then see if your corals back to happy. Keep in track of Cal, Mg, Ak. they are 3 importand things to make corals happy and chance to get it grow.