Please help me to identify the issue if possible

K

kttran_2005

Hi All,

I know this is not the place for posting some questions but I need everybody help. I normally got this issue with my hard corals whenever i moved or put them into a new tank. The corals died back as you can see in the picture a little bit for first week then grow back. The calcium, ph, and magnessium are all a little bit high. I couldn't think of any reason for causing this issue. Could someone help me to identify the issue. Any comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Khanh
 
Most likely the result of instability in a new tank. It's the parameters we don't/can't check for that are all coming into a balance with each other that could be causing what you are seeing. Even if you move a very established tank to another tank, it's doesn't automatically make the new tank established, that ust means it will "balance out" quicker. Also since you mentioned your Alk is high that could be hurting you also, if it's over 12dkh then it's getting too high, are the numbers high and stable or are they bouncing around??

Cheers,
 
They are fairly stable since i got the magnessium stablizing the ph. anything that i could do next time to minimize the issue? i normal lost at least 1/5 of it before growing back.
 
anytime i see these kind of episodes I suggest 25 percent weekly water changes until cured. If that doesnt stop it do 25 percent water changes every 3 days till its cured. Stop with all additives and let the water changes work for you. Make sure you use salt that is rated for Ro/Di water and specifically states that point. If it doesnt say rated for Ro/Di water then the calcium will only be at 400 and not 450. Ro/Di water is free from all elements and other water has a 50 count of calcium (thats the difference between the 400 and 450). Most people dont know this fact. Good luck and hope this helps.

-John
 
Additionally...

If you have alkalinity flux, either high or low that goes up and down it will wreck havoc on corals, SPS in particular. While the first photo looks like a possible alk burn, tips on SPS, the other recessions hint at a low alk or flow problem.

Alkalinity issues typically show up a week or so after the initial problem, so you see the effects well after the problem has been fixed.

Stability is key... and the parms should run in these ranges on a consistent basis.

SG - 1.025-1.026
Alk - 8.5 - 10dkh
Ca - 400-460 ppm
Mg - 1350 - 1450 ppm
Nitrates - 0-5ppm
PO4 - 0 - .08 ppm

Anything outside of those numbers could cause issues, especially if the change is quick.

Some people run different numbers for various reasons, but those are the 'core' value ranges you should aim for in a mixed tank.
 
Thank you so much for all the responses. I guess part of it was my fault. I was kinda cheap and tried to save money on buying RO water. I stored water in 50 gal container for about 10-14 days then add the amquel+ to make sure no chlorine, nitrate, and ammonia. I noticed this issue in the past month and half. I also noticed that I got some instable issues with PH. I think I'd better spend more money for the RO unit. Anybody know what unit (stage) I should buy and where to get a good deal that affordable? Anyway, I will do 25% water change tomorrow. I really appreciate everybody helps.

Thanks,
Khanh
 
@kttran_2005 wrote:
Thank you so much for all the responses. I guess part of it was my fault. I was kinda cheap and tried to save money on buying RO water. I stored water in 50 gal container for about 10-14 days then add the amquel+ to make sure no chlorine said:
http://www.melevsreef.com/ro_di.html

just as good as any and cheap. Also pay attention to your lighting. I have seen this situation many times caused by new bulbs, or change in lighting as far as where it was and where the sps is now.
Click to expand...
 
This 400Watts is a brand new bulb. I noticed that I got a brain that burnt when put too close to it.

By the way, I found this RO set is very affordable. Any comment on this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110386445306&ssPageName=MERC_VI_RCRX_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&refitem=110386441550&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=active_view_item&usedrule1=CrossSell_LogicX&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget&_trksid=p284.m184&_trkparms=algo%3DCRX%26its%3DS%252BI%252BSS%26itu%3DISS%252BUCI%252BSI%26otn%3D4

Thanks,
Khanh
 
A lot times it's the strength of the bulb that can shock many corals like that, especially if it's low kelvin like 10000K. Are you just running one bulb over a 4 foot tank? You might think about decreasing that wattage over two with 175-250W which will make it a lot easier introducing new corals into the system. Keep doing small frequent water changes, i'm not a big fan of 25% because it may shock what's left of your SPS instead of help, but if you do 10% frequently it should start to improve.
 
I have a tri-color which a not far away from the burnt ones and it's doing well . I already moved them to bottom of my tank. One thing that I noticed that I usually got some issue when added MG to stabilize PH. I didn't measure the MG since I don't have the test kit. I only added 1 tea spoon to my 75 gal tank. Any thought about the MG? By the way, thank you so much for all the responses. I really appreciate that.
 
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