Whats wrong with my tank

[Reefer302]

Hi my reef tank seems to be struggling the corals aren't fully open but the fish are doing great the lights im using are 2 kessil a360 w and 2 ati blue plus and 2 ati coral plus there's also diatoms growing on the sanded and some corals im not sure whats wrong with the tank the parameters are

Alk8.0

Calcium 450

Po 0

Nitrates 0

Salinity 0.24

Temp. 77

I think a part of the problem is the fact that I previously used tap water and I just switched to rodi water and have done 2. 30% water changes over the course of 2 week with rodi not much seems to have changed

Feel free to ask questions thank you

 

[ScubaFish802]

Hi my reef tank seems to be struggling the corals aren't fully open but the fish are doing great the lights im using are 2 kessil a360 w and 2 ati blue plus and 2 ati coral plus there's also diatoms growing on the sanded and some corals im not sure whats wrong with the tank the parameters are

Alk8.0

Calcium 450

Po 0

Nitrates 0

Salinity 0.24

Temp. 77

I think a part of the problem is the fact that I previously used tap water and I just switched to rodi water and have done 2. 30% water changes over the course of 2 week with rodi not much seems to have changed

Feel free to ask questions thank you

If I'm reading this right your salinity is -very- low. Should be much closer to 35 or 1.025

 

[Reefer302]

Well I've had the salinity higher usually i yjinkbita the water change i did yesterday anything else?

 

[ScubaFish802]

Well I've had the salinity higher usually i yjinkbita the water change i did yesterday anything else?

Having Nitrates and Phos at zero can be a problem but hopefully someone more experienced can chime in

 

[Cell]

He means 1.024, not .24

You need some PO4 and nitrate.

Could raise salinity a touch, could raise temp a degree.

Maybe post your light settings/schedule for insight, I'm not really familiar with that setup.

 

[Reefer302]

Do you think that the algae could be consuming them as soon as they are available and thats whats causing the problem the kessils are on the blue spectrum and nearly full blast do you think I should turn the lights down and feed the corals more.

 

[Uncle99]

Nitrates zero?
That’s almost impossible to achieve in what looks like a newer system.
Trace, N and P, so say N less than 5ppm, and P less than 0.05 is what you need in your water.
The tank looks a bit on the newer side, so you’ll need another 6 months of pure stability in your chemistry.
Just keep your numbers in line, sand looks normal for a new tank, likely feeding on silicates but that should pass.

In about 6 months, you can crank up the lights slowly.

Just needs to age a bit........1.025 to1.026 would be better, the amount of elements, both major and Trace depend on keeping a stable salinity.

Tap water......not helpful........stability EVERYTHING

 

[Reefer302]

Can't tell if I tested wrong or read it wrong probably a little higher than 0 but close to 0 the tank has been set up in this form for about 6 months from a 75 gallon that was a year old when I set up the waterbox 130 which is my current set up is the problem a lack of stability causing the subpar coral health?

 

[Uncle99]

Can't tell if I tested wrong or read it wrong probably a little higher than 0 but close to 0 the tank has been set up in this form for about 6 months from a 75 gallon that was a year old when I set up the waterbox 130 which is my current set up is the problem a lack of stability causing the subpar coral health?

Lack of stable water chemistry absolutely will affect coral health.
They hate change.
Not sure what stability you have.
I don’t see a level of your P, higher P means lower coral growth.
Always use 0 Tds RODI water to make salt water and move towards keeping all 8 parameters on-point, at all times.

 

[Reefer302]

What is the best way of keeping parameters stable besides auto dosing and systems like that water changes?

 

[Uncle99]

In the first year, I measure all 8 weekly, alk every two days and record on a worksheet.
Then I move each towards the target, there will be a point where the results stabilize.
Yup auto dosing small amounts equally throughout the day, a water change once a week say 10%, clean socks if used and very important is the ATO.

You seek the smallest change possible, for example my alk at any time is 152ppm, salinity 1.025 always.

 

[Reefer302]

I have an ato just need to test more

 

[Uncle99]

You sound like you have all what ya need.
Tank looks fine to me.
Your 6 months in from a transfer, but even the best transfers put some corals back in time.
It sounds like this system just needs a couple of months of maturity.

Not seeing any green which is fab, and I am seeing coralline which is a great sign that waters are in check for Stoney corals.

Tap water likely contains trace metals, Hopefully not used to long, I might consider a metals absorbing pad and new carbon every two weeks.

I guess it might depend a bit on expectations.

 

[Reefer302]

Ok its been through some ups and downs as far as coral health but ill make sure everything settles down and stabilizes thanks for the advice