what is wrong with my tank???!?!

[Dan_P]

This was the tank in the beginning

Aqurium photo link: http://instagram.com/p/fqBKB3NJry/

Beautiful aquarium! The photo link showed up in my email notice but not here, so, I am reposting it. I still think a current photo might help.

Here is one more thought...

I can't but wonder if your issue isn't connected with your algae growth. Maybe not the nitrate level per se but rather the reduced photo period or whatever else might have been changed in an attempt to reduce algae growth. Consider Boomer's list of ideas to jog your memory about recent changes to your animal husbandry routines.

 

[Nanoreefaprentice]

This is what it looks like now.. http://instagram.com/p/lzh5IftJvV/ .. I've extended the photo period to 6 hours as of today n the protein skimmer is runnin

 

[Dan_P]

Thanks for the photo. Yeah, there are a few coral that are really scrunched up. Maybe the picture will stimulate some additional ideas.

 

[Nanoreefaprentice]

UPDATE: the protien skimmer has been doing its thing the nitrate is down about half its at 30 ppm right now. Gonna start working on the refugium today.

 

[Dan_P]

This is good news. A refugium should help as well.

I would not have expected the protein skimmer to bring down nitrates so quickly. They typically remove nutrients, large organic molecules and bacteria, before they are converted to nitrates. Possibly, your nitrate test kit is behind the change in nitrates. Keep doing what you are doing but maybe be skeptical about those nitrate numbers.

 

[Nanoreefaprentice]

I was surprised as well.. I will recheck the levels again tn