SPS Coral Frags Dying

[ddreher47]

Need some help here... my new SPS coral frags are dying. Here is my tank chemistry:

Nitrate 12
Cal 340
PO 0.02
MG 1600
ALK 12.6
PH 7.8
Nitrite 0.1
Ammonia 0.02
Iodine 0.06
Iron 0
Salt 1.025
Temp 77.4

test kit is Red Sea

some photos from my setup is also attached. I called the LFS about the MG and they asked me to bring a water sample bc I am not currently dosing anything and think it is odd my MG is that high. I use Reef Crystals as salt. They also recommend a 25% water change. They think I have some detectable ammonia and nitrite because I have been doing weekly water changes of 10% and taking the water from the sand which is stirring up detritus. I also started a bio pellet reactor about 30 days ago.

please let me know your thoughts...

 

[Samina]

Mg is definitely high and so is Alk, but calcium is pretty low, imho. Those factors can definitely be contributing. How old is the tank? Because testing positive for ammonia or nitrite that high in an established tank is not good. Is it possible you lost a fish in there or a large invert? You can add some bacteria in a bottle to help bring that down quicker.
I would also check the parameters on a batch of freshly mixed saltwater to see how it’s looking. Sometimes those saltmixes can separate a bit if they have been in the bucket for long and lead to wacky parameters. For what it’s worth, when I was using Reef Crystals, I usually found it had higher Alk, Ca, and Mg.

There was a good video from MACNA that BRS loaded that explained the basics of those parameters and how coral use those elements. Here is the link:

Lou Ekus: Reef aquarium chemistry can be pretty easy and fun...No, really! | MACNA 2019

Lou Ekus has been actively involved in the marine aquarium industry for over 22 years. He frequently works with aquarists, helping them with system issues big and small from large public aquariums to 1 gallon nano reefs. Lou has been a saltwater aquarist most of his life. As

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Righteous]

How old is the tank? Stirring up sand shouldn’t be causing ammonia or nitrite in a mature cycled tank. Your not going to be able to keep SPS until the tank is cycled.

 

[ddreher47]

How old is the tank? Stirring up sand shouldn’t be causing ammonia or nitrite in a mature cycled tank. Your not going to be able to keep SPS until the tank is cycled.

The tank is two months old.

 

[Righteous]

That’s definitely on the young side. I’d maybe add some bacteria. Maybe some prime at the moment as well. Once things are more stable maybe make sure you can increase feedings or fish load and make sure you don’t have anymore ammonia spikes before adding more coral.

 

[King Turkey]

I agree with some of the above some what. do a 40 ish percent water change go buy some bacteria. get some prime to help. how are you acclimating them to the light? high light with those numbers in my experience leads to faster die off.

 

[ddreher47]

I agree with some of the above some what. do a 40 ish percent water change go buy some bacteria. get some prime to help. how are you acclimating them to the light? high light with those numbers in my experience leads to faster die off.

The only thing I am doing right now with the lighting is placing the new corals on the sand bed for a week. Does anyone know if AI has an acclamation setting?

 

[ddreher47]

The LFS tested my water and found different readings:

MG 1410
ALK 10.2
PO 0

I was not using the test kit correctly.

 

[Righteous]

The LFS tested my water and found different readings:

MG 1410
ALK 10.2
PO 0

I was not using the test kit correctly.

I’d also want to double check your ammonia and nitrite readings. They may either be a non issue or really bad. The fact that it’s a young tank and positive nitrite and ammonia (plus your tank looks very clean) makes me worry it might be higher. Ammonia at 0.02 is still very low, but test kits are notoriously tricky. I’d test it with a couple kits and maybe have the LFS test it, but sometimes some LFS don’t even know how to use them.

 

[Righteous]

One other thing, I’d probably leave the sand bed alone. If it’s a young tank and dry rock you started with, it’s possible a lot of the nitrifying bacteria is in the surface of your sand bed. Let it mature, and don’t mess with it for a while.

 

[ddreher47]

I’d also want to double check your ammonia and nitrite readings. They may either be a non issue or really bad. The fact that it’s a young tank and positive nitrite and ammonia (plus your tank looks very clean) makes me worry it might be higher. Ammonia at 0.02 is still very low, but test kits are notoriously tricky. I’d test it with a couple kits and maybe have the LFS test it, but sometimes some LFS don’t even know how to use them.

I tested with an API kit and got 0 for both. I took the pics after I just cleaned the tank and did a water change. Thanks so much for your help!!! I am thinking tho that the Red Sea kit is more sensitive than API.

 

[tehmadreefer]

Sky high alk, low nutrients and immature tank= dead sps.

Also ca is too low.

 

[Tamberav]

+1 alk is too high for that low of nutrients... the high alk is probably contributing to the low Ca as well.

Use some instant ocean or red sea blue bucket or something that isn't so high on alk.