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What is all the hype?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Borky00, Sep 13, 2016.

  1. Sep 13, 2016 #1
    Borky00 Lisbon

    Borky00 Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Well I have gotten tired of loosing corals and when my candy cane was starting to die off I decided to do some research around the Alkalinity testing others are doing and how to adjust it if needed.

    I picked up a Alkalinity, calcium and Magnesium tester kit from Red Sea, and the 2 part dosser kit from Bulk Reef Supply. I tested my system and this is what I found:

    CA: 425 ok
    KH = Alk: 3.8 Meq or 10.6 dKH - little high
    Mag: 1320 - low Adding 193.5 ML of the mix
    Ph: 8.2 - ok

    So I added some Magnesium hoping that is all that is causing my Candy cane to die off.

    I did do a 10% partial yesterday but I really expected to find other things way out of wack.

    I am hoping when I do a check in a couple days things will be lower and I just need to keep up a daily regiment of the Calc & Alk mixes I purchased. But as it looks I have been worried about very little or a slight Magnesium drop really causes a big impact on some corals.

    Have other had similar experiences?
     
  2. Sep 13, 2016 #2
    Pygmey Cedar Rapids, IA

    Pygmey Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    What kind of salt do you use? When was the last time you did a water change? Have you tested for strontium by chance?
     
  3. Sep 13, 2016 #3
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

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    Could be something completely unrealated to those parameters causing the issues too.
    But still when you get to wanting more corals it's better to monitor and try to keep the levels balanced. My tank thrived when things were balanced. When I slacked off on maintenance and let things slip so did my tank.
     
  4. Sep 14, 2016 #4
    Bud West Des Moines, IA

    Bud Loves Bacon Website Team Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member Vendor

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    I think that is actually the recommended level
     
  5. Sep 14, 2016 #5
    Actuary Adel, IA

    Actuary Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Those parameters don't seem too crazy (especially if they are stable at those levels). How about some nutrient parameters (NO3 and PO4)? Another thing worth looking at is the lighting situation. I remember several years ago when I switched from metal halides to DIY LEDs I ended up scorching almost every coral in my tank.
     
  6. Sep 14, 2016 #6
    aussie Cedar Rapids, IA

    aussie Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    What's your nitrates at?
     
  7. Sep 16, 2016 #7
    Borky00 Lisbon

    Borky00 Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    I use Instant Ocean, I do 10% water changes every 2 weeks pretty regularly, and what the heck is Strontium? I'll have to look that one up. My other parms are right in line. And I have been using the same LED lighting that allowed these things to grow for over a year, almost 2.

    Now that I have more test kits and the mixes I can check to make sure these parms above stay constant.

    The Candy cane was thriving for over a year then all of a sudden I lost something else that had a really nice skeletal growth and now the Candy cane. I assumed the corals were eating up all the calcium, but that does not look like the case.
     
  8. Sep 16, 2016 #8
    jeremy Davenport, IA

    jeremy Acro Addict

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    Your parameters look fine to me. Hopefully you can keep them consistent. Alkalinity swings are bad. And usually cause problems, depending on how big of a swing.
    Have you checked your phosphate lately? And a large swing in phosphate can cause problems too. Like adding alot of gfo or something and dropping it to fast will shock corals and cause tissue loss.
     
  9. Sep 19, 2016 #9
    Borky00 Lisbon

    Borky00 Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Good thought Jeremy, I have not checked Phosphates lately.

    Update: My Candy canes are looking better, they a puffing up nicely and I think they are feeling better. But my torch is not looking too happy, I will keep an eye on them next.

    Is it even possible to keep all corals happy? Grrr.
     
  10. Sep 19, 2016 #10
    Pygmey Cedar Rapids, IA

    Pygmey Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    What is your salinity and what are you using to test it?
     
  11. Sep 19, 2016 #11
    mattman319 Cedar Rapids, IA

    mattman319 SoManyTanks

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    What kind of LEDs?
     
  12. Sep 20, 2016 #12
    Borky00 Lisbon

    Borky00 Well-Known ReefKeeper

    472
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    The salinity is about 1.024 or 1.025 I'll have to check. The LEDs are LEDZEAL I think, I have had then for almost 2 years now. No troubles with them.
     

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