Water chemistry-need HELP!

[keithguy]

PS LED light will diminish in power quiker if not properly cooled. Might want to check your lux or par readings. Sorry not much help but sometimes it's the simple things we over look.

 

[jaws789832]

Just for some perspective. I run 2 radion xr30 pros at 50% 14,000K setting. Lights are about 11" off the water. Par levels (using the apex par metering kit) are 450 at the highest points of the rockwork to about 60 at the sand in the corners. in the middle at the sandbed its about 150. Tank is a 120 long, 5' wide, 27" deep. Corals seem to like this setting (this is an old shot to show the setup).

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I've never seen any fish picking, although this doesn't mean they don't when I'm observing. They definitely will when feeding the coral though to steal the food. But I'm 99% sure fish are not the reason my open brain no longer opens and my monti's polyps cease to open..

FWIW, open brains often fail to thrive long term. I'm not sure what the issue is, but I don't think it flow or ordinary water chemistry issues.

 

[VTek]

Thanks guys for all the advice, i have written down all suggestions ans will try and knock them out one by one until i find the solution. Keep them coming! Out of all the thousands of other reefers, I sure as hell there are more people out there with suggestions!

 

[VTek]

FWIW, open brains often fail to thrive long term. I'm not sure what the issue is, but I don't think it flow or ordinary water chemistry issues.

Yea, I hear you. Its just weird how it closes up in my tank but when i take it back to the LFS for a week it looks happy as can be. Which makes me believe it is either water quality or light...
Maybe i just need to return it and possibly trade it for another specimen. But god dam its a gorgeous piece!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yea, I hear you. Its just weird how it closes up in my tank but when i take it back to the LFS for a week it looks happy as can be. Which makes me believe it is either water quality or light...
Maybe i just need to return it and possibly trade it for another specimen. But god dam its a gorgeous piece!

OK, that does suggest a local issue and not a general decline.

 

[john.m.cole3]

Do you know what salt mix your LFS is using? Your system is unbalanced.

I honestly think getting your own RO/DI unit and mixing your own salt (and therefore the parameters) would improve your tank.

And as Randy said raising your salinity would help as well.

+1

if you spent a G on corals in the past year and they are not growing, turn that money into a good RO/DI unit and a solid salt mix that will suit your needs. It's time to take the power out of your LFS despite his 40+ years experience, and do for yourself, man. Make sure your refractometer is calibrated correctly using 35 ppt solution as well. You have the chance to reverse, andf own this!

We are all here to help you my friend!