Retracting Polyps PLEASE HELP

[fio1022]

I did my usual routine on Saterday-10% water change,cleaned skimmer,swapped out filter sock etc.I don't know if it is related,but all of the zoo's,green star polyps,and afew but not all xenia have been retracted since.I checked for ammonia,nitrites,nitrates and po4.
Ammonia showed .1ppm so I added AmQuel.All other test results indicate 0.
What could be causing everything to clamp up?Tank has been running since Oct. without any problems.
Should I just wait and see or take some other course of action???....

 

[Sub-Mariner]

You shouldn't have any ammonia at all that could be the problem...If it still shows after the water change I would do another 10 to 15% change...

 

[ChrisRD]

Did you switch salts or just start a new batch?
Do you aerate/age the new saltwater before you use it?
Were parameters (particularly Temp, pH, SG) well matched before you did the change?
What do use for source water (ie. RO, RO/DI, distilled, tap, etc.)?

 

[fio1022]

I've been using the same salt mix since day one.I didn't know that you should aerate it.Other than that everthing thing has been the same.I have been using DI only as my water source but I'm planning on upgrading to ro/di in the near future.
I had my water tested at a LFS today to see if the results were the same on a different test kit.Ammonia,nitrite,nitrate and PO4 all indicate zero.The guy told me that my water is too clean.He also said to keep nitrates at 20ppm,remove the carbon and not to do a water change for a few weeks.
Does this sound like good advice?I've been trying to get my water as clean as possible.For now I will just take out the carbon and see what developes.
Looking for additional opinions on this advice....
Thanks

 

[WRASSER]

do you have any fish that might be nipping t the corals every now and then would do it. :wink:

 

[ChrisRD]

The guy told me that my water is too clean.He also said to keep nitrates at 20ppm,remove the carbon and not to do a water change for a few weeks.
Does this sound like good advice?

No, this does not sound like good advice. The wild reefs were these corals grow are far more nutrient poor than you're ever going to get your tank (IMO). Many people never have detectable levels of nitrates in a reef and have terrific coral growth. You can try removing the carbon, but unless there's something wrong with it, it shouldn't be irritating your corals IME. If it's been more than six weeks since you've changed it out, you might try putting some fresh stuff in.

Many people age their freshly mixed saltwater for at least a few hours (I prefer 24 hours) with a powerhead or something mixing/aerating it. Freshly mixed saltwater can reportedly have some ammonia in it initially (I've never actually tested for this) which could irritate corals. More importantly, I would be sure match the SG, Temp and pH to your tank water. Sudden changes in water parameters will usually get a negative response from corals.

How are your corals looking today? Any better?

 

[fio1022]

Everything is starting to open again but not 100% yet.With a little luck it should be soon.Still trying to figure out what happened though.
My temperature seems a little high 84.5 but its been fairly constant since day one.I'm planning on added a fan above my sump soon.Would high temp cause polyps to retract?
Thanks for the feedback.

 

[ChrisRD]

If it was a sudden reaction around the time of the water change, my guess is that one or more of the parameters weren't well matched, or there was something up with the new saltwater. If things are straightening out already I wouldn't worry too much. Your temp is a bit on the high side for my taste, but people certainly run that high with no problems and I doubt it's having any negative effect.

HTH

 

[Anonymous]

Many people age their freshly mixed saltwater for at least a few hours (I prefer 24 hours)

I age mine 24hrs prior too..

Number of reasons why this could happen and unfortunately you may never find, at least in a reasonable amount of time..ive had corals react bizarrely too and to never find a reasonable cause..Its like WBD, no one really knows what causes it..Many factors could be the reason, a change in salinity, heat, flow, etc. Who knows..good luck if you find the cause though....

 

[SnowManSnow]

Keep your waste products as close to 0 as possible. Bad adivce IMO to try to keep minimal ammounts on purpose. Sometimes when I do a water change my corals will retract for a day also, then come back out and be fine. I think it may have to do with a slight temp. differance in the change and tank water in my case.

I bet your guys will be fine

B.

 

[fio1022]

Thanks again guys,
Each day they seam to be opening a little more.I just hope my next water change doesn't have the same effect.

 

[Anonymous]

Forgive a dumb question Fio, but are the the ph, temp and SG on the makeup water close to the tank water? If not that could be a factor.

I also second (third or fourth) the aging of makeup water at least 24 hours to let everything setlle out.

 

[fio1022]

The only parameter that was off was the temp,which I will correct next time.I usually make enough water for two-three water changes so it sits for a while.
The one thing I'm still unsure about is aerating it.If you don't ,will the batch still be good?How long to aerate?Just before , or the whole time is sits?
Just another newbie learning things the hard way.

 

[Anonymous]

I always aerate the makeup water, and my RO water. I just leave a small powerhead running in the trashcans for circulation.