I've notice for the last 2 weeks i have a little die off. I have two green birds nest that have started dieing from the base up, the huge monti cap has some random white spots, and the tip of the slimmer either have die off or new tip without polyps. Parameters are Salinity 1.025, PH 8.3, ALK 7 (still fighting this low ALK for months) ammonia, nitrates and nitrites are undetected, same with phosphates but i know they are there cause im still cleaning the class ever couple of days. I do have some red slime that seems to be getting less. One of my 250 MH is 2 months old the other blew so i have a old bulb in there but the 2 birds nest are on oposite sides of the tank. I have noticed that the skimmer is pulling less but figured thats cause i only have a flame angel, fire fish, 2 clowns, and three little guys. The tank did hit 84.5 on thursday when its usually only hits 82-83. I have not added any coral for 5 months, and have not add any fish for 8 months. I just started running my carbon, PFO, and UV light 2 nights ago cause they were off line since end of June. Any input would be great.
Birds nest, monti cap and green slimmer die off
- Thread starter da5speed
- Start date
- Location
- Bethpage,NY
No such thing as zero Phosphates.If you're cleaning the glass often,there is your problem.Phosphates.
- Location
- Overland Park, KS
How is your flow? What else is in the tank that is NOT dying? How is your calcium level? Have you tested magnesium? I'm not convinced it's just phosphates, though a water change with nice clean water might be a good idea....
I doubt it's your lights.
On the other hand, if you just changed your phosban media, that could be part of the problem, believe it or not....
I doubt it's your lights.
On the other hand, if you just changed your phosban media, that could be part of the problem, believe it or not....
Chris Jury
Experienced Reefer
- Location
- Kaneohe, HI
Ditto what Tahl said. Also, is it possible to see some photos?
Could be part of your problem, he may have started to nip. The temps are getting high but as long as it's not s large swing I wouldn't be to focused on that. Like mentioned how are the other corals, any other SPS not affected? Without knowing anything more I'd focus on raising the Alk.
Solace Aquatics LLC
Advanced Reefer
- Location
- Charleston, SC
For many of the species you are talking about a 0 nitrate environment is not the best. I have seen the best growth from my corals with nitrate reading within 3-5
What is your temp Swing look like. It may only hit 84.5 during the day, but what was the dip at night?
Are you running any type of controller that will produce any form of datalog?
In reference to your Alk problems, what does your Ca look like, remember these need to brought up at the same time as they keep each other in Solution with Mg acting as a buffer. Your Mg should be in the 1325 - 1350 range.
Have added a new substrate lately? This will also drop all of these levels.
What is your temp Swing look like. It may only hit 84.5 during the day, but what was the dip at night?
Are you running any type of controller that will produce any form of datalog?
In reference to your Alk problems, what does your Ca look like, remember these need to brought up at the same time as they keep each other in Solution with Mg acting as a buffer. Your Mg should be in the 1325 - 1350 range.
Have added a new substrate lately? This will also drop all of these levels.
Flow has not changed at all. Calcium was a little low 380 normally around 420. Still dont have a magnesium test kit. I did a water change last night. I was slacking on that. Normally do them ever week 10% but had not had a chance to do on for 3 weeks.
If you Ca is swinging, then you ALK could be swinging too. Huge ALK swings might be the problem. You got to have high enough Mg to stabilize these values.
You really should get a Mg kit and raise levels appropriately especially if you are not changing water frequently.
You really should get a Mg kit and raise levels appropriately especially if you are not changing water frequently.
My return pump is a Mag 18, I also have 2 K3 Koralia pumps. The tank is a 105 gal 60*18*20. If need I could add more power heads but i thought it was a good amount of flow and nothing has been moved for months.
Also the there is still new grow coming in on the birds nest and monti cap. I have some green caps, milli, acos that seem fine.
Also something is eating up my ALK for months. Is is almost on the high side for my tank, Every time I get it boosted up to 10 it drops back down in just a couple days and i am dosing with the recommened 2 part but i think i gotta double it up.
Ill try to get some pics up tonight.
Do you have clams or any large sps colonies? Look to see if anything is in the white spots on the monti at night something could be eating eat, you never know. When I had a few large clams my alk ws getting destroyed thats why I asked.
- Location
- Wallingford, CT
:idea: High temp and SPS is not a good combination. Other slight water parameter issues would probably have caused some corals to be stressed then add the high heat and wha-la.
Total flow seemed ok, if it is random enough. ALK swings maybe because of low Mg or your SPS is using up way faster than you think.
Check the Mg levels and keep it in the 1300 to 1400.
It will stablize the Ca/Alk levels.
Maybe that is the problem.
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I have checked at night and have not seen anything. I do have two clams they are about 4-5 inch. My millie is medium size and the large red cap is 10*15, the birdsnest are softball and ball ball size. The caps and birds nest are still showing new growth at the tips.
Sorry forgot to upload the pics last night. But went to the LFS and we test everything again with his kits and everything came out the same as before. They didnt have a magnesium test kit so im going to try and get that done today. I have had the alk problem for months wtih no problems. Its up from 5.
We came up with two possible reasons
1. The temp swing last week.
2. Possibly cause the carbon reactor was off line for the last month. I do have a good amount off kenya tree, which are know to release toxins.
I remember havething this problem last year with whit spots on the cap and had a thread on it im going to try and find it. Also the carbon has been running for 5 days so i think ill change it out tonight.
Heres my thread from July 08 when i had almost the same exact thing going on.
http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/coral-farming/43726-sps-dying-slowly.html
RECAP of last year. Same monti cap had the same problem. My alk was a little low then, the salinity was also low, Problem stated early July, fixed salinity levels, raised, alk, still had dying tissue, end of july add carbon to the system, and by mid Aug everything was fine with the monti cap.
http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/coral-farming/43726-sps-dying-slowly.html
RECAP of last year. Same monti cap had the same problem. My alk was a little low then, the salinity was also low, Problem stated early July, fixed salinity levels, raised, alk, still had dying tissue, end of july add carbon to the system, and by mid Aug everything was fine with the monti cap.
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So everything seems to be looking better then last week. I really think it might have been toxins from the kenya tree, and not running carbon for a month. Also all my levels are the same as before Alk still is at 7 but atleast it has not dropped any lower.
- Location
- Staten Island
Alk swing.. No calcium reactor and spiratic dosing does this.. Phosphate swing. also.. The End..
Im trying to bring the ALK up slowly. No swing for the last 2 weeks. Last night before dosing was 8.4 this morning before dosing was 9.1. Is that 2 fast. Ive been doing my normal does of ALk CA in the morning and additional AlK at night.
- Location
- Franklin Square, NY
...could have been the temp..my tank hit 84-85 for a few days before I realized it and that the fans stopped working....lost a pink birdnest, a green cap and some other SPS started STNing
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