Soft coral

[couragefirst]

Hi

I have tried to keep soft coral but without success. I have taken water samples to aquatics and do regular testing myself. The tank is around 6 months old and all the water levels are correct.

However when I place the coral in with a few hours this is keeling over and then dies. I have now put a net cover on to allow more oxygen rather than a glass cover, I do feed the coral but don't understand why it keeps dying. Any advice would be appreciated as I am learning but at a cost.

 

[Uncle99]

Hi

I have tried to keep soft coral but without success. I have taken water samples to aquatics and do regular testing myself. The tank is around 6 months old and all the water levels are correct.

However when I place the coral in with a few hours this is keeling over and then dies. I have now put a net cover on to allow more oxygen rather than a glass cover, I do feed the coral but don't understand why it keeps dying. Any advice would be appreciated as I am learning but at a cost.

Let’s start with two things.

1.Are you starting with 0TDS RODI water when making saltwater or top off water?

2. What are your current parameters?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

What does your tank look like? To me, it sounds like a parameter issue.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

As well as “lighting” and your salt level.

 

[couragefirst]

Let’s start with two things.

1.Are you starting with 0TDS RODI water when making saltwater or top off water?

2. What are your current parameters?

Thank you for getting back to me. When I set the tank up I used live sand and dry rock but not artificial. AS I am new I am still learning mushroom corals are doing well as the pictures show the other corals collapse and disintegrate.
I change my water weekly around 25% TDS and Top up with RO.

The parameters are:
Ammonia 0
Calcium 400
KH 10
Nitrate 0
Nitrite 0
PH 8.0
Phosphate 0.25
Salt level 1.03

I add coral food once a week as well.

My tank is 120 litters Blue Marine with blue & white led lighting.

I have removed the glass cover and replace it with a mess cover to prevent jumpers and potentially add more oxygen but this was only recently as I thought the coral may not be getting enough oxygen.

 

[couragefirst]

Let’s start with two things.

1.Are you starting with 0TDS RODI water when making saltwater or top off water?

2. What are your current parameters?

Thank you for getting back to me. When I set the tank up I used live sand and dry rock but not artificial. AS I am new I am still learning mushroom corals are doing well as the pictures show the other corals collapse and disintegrate.
I change my water weekly around 25% TDS and Top up with RO.

The parameters are:
Ammonia 0
Calcium 400
KH 10
Nitrate 0
Nitrite 0
PH 8.0
Phosphate 0.25
Salt level 1.03

I add coral food once a week as well.

My tank is 120 litters Blue Marine with blue & white led lighting.

I have removed the glass cover and replace it with a mess cover to prevent jumpers and potentially add more oxygen but this was only recently as I thought the coral may not be getting enough oxygen.

 

[VintageReefer]

Let’s end this thread and use the other one with pictures and the same question/issues

Coral

Good morning I have a tank thats approx 6 months old and have struggled to keep any coral alive for more than 48 hours from purchase. Having had all the water tested and it is correct but have no idea whats causing this problem. I was advised soft coral was a good start. Any advice would be...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Uncle99]

You post no nitrate.
That nutrient is required by everyone including corals. Zero nitrate, or phosphate (yours is fine) will starve your system and may help pest algae’s take hold.

Bump that nitrate up to 5-10ppm and hold.

I don’t understand your salt level you should be 1.025-1.026 or 35ppt.

Alk fine, CA fine, but, MG, need that at 1350-1440ppm. This is assuming you keep Stoney type corals, they use these three for growth.

 

[VintageReefer]

You post no nitrate.
That nutrient is required by everyone including corals. Zero nitrate, or phosphate (yours is fine) will starve your system and may help pest algae’s take hold.

Bump that nitrate up to 5-10ppm and hold.

I don’t understand your salt level you should be 1.025-1.026 or 35ppt.

Use the thread I linked to above. This one is a double post. More info (including salinity is 1.025 ) is in the alternate thread