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Tank health since move

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Rocketmann, Oct 7, 2013.

  1. Oct 7, 2013 #1
    Rocketmann

    Rocketmann

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    I'm still experiencing some issues with my corals and I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions. About 3 months ago I transferred everything from a 28g nano cube to a 40g breeder with 20g sump. Ever since then my corals and rock anemones have been very shrunk compared to what they were before. Fish all seem perfectly happy. (I have a Blenny, Firefish, and Maroon Clown) My water parameters are still crystal clear. I was thinking they were too clear so I have only done a couple 5g water changes. I was thinking that I could get the water a little "dirtier" by limiting those, but I'm wondering if that might be hurting instead. I was going to start doing 5g changes weekly and see if that helps.


    I'm using the same Makers LED over the tank and I turned down the settings on that. Seemed to help a little bit. I've been overfeeding and still the ammonia, nitrites, nitrates are all at zero. I was wondering if I should stop running the skimmer or GFO/carbon.


    My lights are on 7am to 7pm cycle with an hour sunrise / sunset every day. I'm wondering if I should sorten that too. I have no algae growing, so no problems there.


    Any other ideas?


    Mike












     
  2. Oct 7, 2013 #2
    softieatheart

    softieatheart Inactive User

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    Are you certain your test kit is good and hasn't expired? I would double check by have test run at LFS and compare just to verify accuracy.
     
  3. Oct 7, 2013 #3
    Rocketmann

    Rocketmann

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    I guess that might be an issue. I'm using the API bottles. I did have a second set of the Nitrate tests (same brand) so I tried those the last few times and everything tested the same. I'll check with Seascapes and maybe pick up some strips or something.
     
  4. Oct 7, 2013 #4
    Fence13 Des Moines

    Fence13 Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Des Moines
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    is the water too clean? I had that problem with my upgrade and my soft corals were not very happy. Are all the other elements like mg and calcium and alkalinity all good too?
     
  5. Oct 7, 2013 #5
    Sponge Marshalltown, IA

    Sponge Expert Reefkeeper Vendor

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    API tests are not very reliable. So I understand correctly, you have only done 2 water changes in 3 months? What corals do you have? What do you feed the fish and how much, how many times a day? You say the corals have shrunk...do you mean they are getting smaller or, they are less open, no polyp extension..? What do you have for flow? Are you dosing anything? Have you taken any Par readings? Sorry for so many questions Mike but I'm needing more info if I van help.
     
  6. Oct 8, 2013 #6
    Rocketmann

    Rocketmann

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    Correct, two or three 5g water changes in 3 months. (I was testing and finding nothing bad, so I thought it might help my water get dirtier)

    I only have softies with a couple rock anemones.

    I feed twice a day. Usually Spectrum pellets once and mysis once.

    Some of the corals receded, but that stopped. Now they are just less extended most of the time.

    I have 950gph return and then an MP10 and Koralia nano for flow

    I used purple up when the tank first started, but only for a month. That's about it.

    No Par readings ever taken. :-(

    Thanks Sponge!

    Mike
     
  7. Oct 9, 2013 #7
    Sponge Marshalltown, IA

    Sponge Expert Reefkeeper Vendor

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    Sorry for the delay Mike, I was out of town. Test strips aren't any better than the API, IMO. If money is no problem, here's what I'd suggest for tests...Hanna handheld Alkalinity and "Low range Phosphorus " meters, Salifert Calcium and Nitrate kits {Elos is good too;0)} If money is tight, I would still do what I'm suggesting but, you could use Red Sea or other brands for the CA and NO3 temporarily. With the softies and rock nems, they will not be using much, if any, CA and Alk...neither will the fish. At this point, I would venture to guess that they are getting to much flow or not enough, and/or too much light. What setting do you have the MP10 at? The softies and nems don't require strong flow so try to make sure it's moderate to low flow...I'd go to low flow :0) I'd do that first and see if they open. If they don't, or just not open fully, turn the LED's down just a little again. It's a process Mike :0) and you'll get it to where they open :0) Then, concentrate on the params :0) Test and if Nitrates and phosphate are high, do some water changes but slowly! You do want some nitrate and phosphate in the SW ;0) If the Ca and Alk are high, water changes should help bring it down unless the salt you are using is high in those elements. If you have any questions, post here and I'll try to check, if not, PM me if you'd like... Others can help too :0)
     

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