Water parameter help

[wmscott]

Hello-

I have a came home from a work trip and noticed several corals not looking good. Tested my water and found NO4 with Hanna checker was at .47 and NO3 with Nyos was at 25. I started GFO in my reactor and after three days NO4 is now at .08 and NO3 seems to be stuck at 12 and I cant seem to get it any lower. My question is do you suggest anything other than a large water change to lower the NO3? Would dipping the coral in Coral RX help? BTW I think the cause of the high NO3/4 was my water storage mixing station that was recently redone since the water in the storage bin also tests high.

Tank parameters are as follows
95 gallons total water volume
SG- 1.0251
MG- 1309
ALK- 8.25
PH- 7.95
CA- 436
NO3- 12
NO4- .08

Attached are a few shot of the unhappy coral

Thank you in advance

 

[dwest]

First, welcome to R2R!

Is NO4 referring to phosphates?

I wouldn’t consider nitrates of 12 or even 25 high. I don’t think that’s a problem.

The first coral looks like maybe a euphyllia of some kind? Its not doing well, but the others look fine from the pic IMO. I’m a little worried about your source water. Are you using RODI? How old is the tank?

 

[Moscar]

I would check my RO/DI! How does that test?
Had an issue when a medium sized insect fell into my RO/DI holding tank.

 

[kensomebody]

I’d do a water change and run some carbon.

 

[wmscott]

I would check my RO/DI! How does that test?
Had an issue when a medium sized insect fell into my RO/DI holding tank.

I have two water bins one for holding RODI water and the second for mixing salt water.

The RO holding bin as well as water directly from the RODI unit test zero.
The water in the salt water holding bin test high for for phosphates so something is leaching into the water there. I will solve that later but my main concern is lowering the nitrates in the display as I normally run them less than 3 and I think that’s why the coral are not happy

 

[wmscott]

First, welcome to R2R!

Is NO4 referring to phosphates?

I wouldn’t consider nitrates of 12 or even 25 high. I don’t think that’s a problem.

The first coral looks like maybe a euphyllia of some kind? Its not doing well, but the others look fine from the pic IMO. I’m a little worried about your source water. Are you using RODI? How old is the tank?

Yes I always use RODI water and the water in my RO storage tank as well as directly out of the RODI unit are at zero

 

[wmscott]

First, welcome to R2R!

Is NO4 referring to phosphates?

I wouldn’t consider nitrates of 12 or even 25 high. I don’t think that’s a problem.

The first coral looks like maybe a euphyllia of some kind? Its not doing well, but the others look fine from the pic IMO. I’m a little worried about your source water. Are you using RODI? How old is the tank?

Sorry forgot to include that the tank is almost a year old

 

[dwest]

I have two water bins one for holding RODI water and the second for mixing salt water.

The RO holding bin as well as water directly from the RODI unit test zero.
The water in the salt water holding bin test high for for phosphates so something is leaching into the water there. I will solve that later but my main concern is lowering the nitrates in the display as I normally run them less than 3 and I think that’s why the coral are not happy

I don’t know, it could be me but....I know of lots a tanks with higher nitrates with no problems.

 

[Moscar]

I have two water bins one for holding RODI water and the second for mixing salt water.

The RO holding bin as well as water directly from the RODI unit test zero.
The water in the salt water holding bin test high for for phosphates so something is leaching into the water there. I will solve that later but my main concern is lowering the nitrates in the display as I normally run them less than 3 and I think that’s why the coral are not happy

OK, but water is the foundation. Good water leads to good results.

 

[Dom]

I don’t know, it could be me but....I know of lots a tanks with higher nitrates with no problems.

I once tested water from a bag that had a Nem from the local fish store in it. The tank from where the Nem came was THRIVING.

Imagine my surprise when I tested and found Nitrates to be at 180!