Back again, any more ideas, or should I just tap out?

[jml1149]

No one monitors PH, and there is a reason.

The reason your PH cant go to low is because of the aragonite sand we use. If the PH drops to low, you start to dissolve the aragonite which in turn will bring the PH back up. Anywhere between 7.5 and 8.3 is fine, and the higher end being better for coral growth.

I disagree, 7.5 is not fine:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/

If the pH is low enough to dissolve sand, its low enough to dissolve coral skeletons and snail shells. And his tank is bare bottom. We're not going to chase pH, but we need to compensate if it is in fact low. Don't worry about it, but know what it is.

 

[uncleL]

I would try adding 2 Tsp Kalk per gallon supplements like iodine,Strontium and Molybdenum to your ATO container. That's my simple dosing solution. Since I added a frogspawn & Hammer head Coral started off with one head now I have 4 after 4 months also my mushrooms have multiplied. Hope that helps you out a little. Oh I changed out my T5 for LEDs. That's for my 90 gallon mixed Reef.

 

[cncguy]

Come on guys!!! Need more suggestions!!! Could my whole problem revolve around iodine, strontium, and Moly?

 

[jml1149]

I think this is the problem? Too much too fast!!! Let's establish baseline parameters first. Get the ph meter. Don't just start dumping stuff, many reef tanks are successful without dosing iodine strontium and moly. Post some pictures

 

[jml1149]

And do you have a reef log?

 

[cncguy]

I have been keeping a log of Alk and calcium. I check Mag and other stuff periodically. I hope I'm not doing things too fast, cause again, this has been YEARS!!! I usually wait a couple months before trying other things. But NOTHING is making a difference. I'll post some pics right away of both tanks

 

[cncguy]

pics of nano, and 90 with sump

 

[jml1149]

What kind of camera are you using to take the pictures? iPhone?

 

[killagoby]

And a bottle of ich.

lol

 

[cncguy]

Actually an s4

 

[cncguy]

Do the pics tell anybody anything?

 

[jml1149]

Using a filter or no? The color on the nano looks off. You said you were using Chinese LED's? How high are they running?

 

[heritage]

Trying to keep softies and lps/sps is usually never a good idea. There will be chemical warfare and chances are the lps/sps will lose. I think you should decide on what you want to keep most and set the tank up for that.

Photo period. I would turn off the Leds for now and just run the t5's 8 to 10 hours a day.
Run the whites 3 to 4 hours a day and go from there.

 

[jml1149]

Yeah. Your trumpet coral in the nano looks like heck. Probably too much light. Some of the Chinese LED's I have seen look silly purple up at near full power. The iPhone is super sensitive to blue light, of which I see none in your pics. If it was an iPhone, and there was no blue, definately a spectrum issue. I can't speak to an s4 though

 

[uncleL]

Will I add 10 teaspoons of kelp to my HBO

 

[jml1149]

Add what to what?

 

[cncguy]

The led on the nano is about 16 in above the water. Blues about 60%, and whites about 40%. Sound good? I also have carbon in there for the warfare. Should that work?

 

[uncleL]

A few months ago I started adding 10 Tsp Kalk and supplements to my 5g ATO, 2 Tsp IODINE, STRONTIUM AND MOLYBDENUM. Its working for my 90g

 

[jml1149]

Do you have a link to the light or a picture?

 

[cncguy]

It's a ocean revive d120 I think