Coral Problems

[Thisseemsfishy]

Ive had my tank for about 8 months and have had really good luck rasing my fish. The problem is, I cant keep much coral alive. Ricordea mushrooms, other mushrooms, a few Zoes, and a colt coral are doing great but some Zo's and my other colt are dying. My water checks are fine, i've even taken them to a LFS and had them check. Can anyone explain or give me any advice on trying to raise coral. I have 4 T5 lights and plenty of water flow, a UV sterilizer and skimmer. Or how can a coral be fine for 8 months then fall apart? Anything is much appreciated.

 

[ritter6788]

How deep is your tank? What water parameters is your LFS testing for? Have you replaced your bulbs lately?

 

[Thisseemsfishy]

2 1/2 ft deep, LFS tested salinity, Ph, calcium, nitrite, nitrate, ammonia. Yes I replaced the bulbs about 2 months ago.

 

[thump9]

Has this aquarium ever been used to treat fish with copper treatments ?

 

[funkejj]

Ok what size of tank and what t-5's?

 

[Thisseemsfishy]

Has this aquarium ever been used to treat fish with copper treatments ?

No copper treatments at all.




funkejj "Ok what size of tank and what t-5's?"
55 g tank, 2x 6500/10000k and 2x 420/460.


I've been adding B-Ionic and it seems to be helping. What other supplements should I be using?

 

[jeff@zina.com]

I've been adding B-Ionic and it seems to be helping. What other supplements should I be using?

What testing are you doing that indicates you need supplements?

Jeff

 

[Thisseemsfishy]

What testing are you doing that indicates you need supplements?

Jeff

No test really. I just thought maybe my tank needs a little extra umphh. My Zoanthids are doing fine, just not spreading, same goes for my green star polyps. I just thought there might be somethign besides b-ionic to use that would help in coral growth. Should I show more patience or is there somethign out there?

Thanks for the help

 

[Thisseemsfishy]

I test for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, ph, calcium, and alkalinty. They all check fine. I also perform a 15% - 20% water change bi-monthly

 

[kduen]

It could be allelopathy between corals and the weak are losing. Try adding some carbon and if you already are when is the last time you replaced it?

 

[coralfish]

Just for fun, where does "fine" fall in terms of the scale of dkH, pH, NO3, or CA?

We other hobbiest use ppm and SG and other terms for this and probably don't know what "fine" equates to (at least I don't).

 

[Thisseemsfishy]

It could be allelopathy between corals and the weak are losing. Try adding some carbon and if you already are when is the last time you replaced it?

I change the carbon once a month, I changed it last week.

 

[Thisseemsfishy]

Just for fun, where does "fine" fall in terms of the scale of dkH, pH, NO3, or CA?

We other hobbiest use ppm and SG and other terms for this and probably don't know what "fine" equates to (at least I don't).

Fine is extremly vague isnt it

Nitrite/trate are 0, CA is above 480, pH is at 8.4

 

[coralfish]

Yes it is....what about PO4, ALK, and Mg, what's that measure? Also are you using tap water or RO/DI?

 

[kduen]

Alk # ?

 

[coralfish]

Alk # ?

You know dkH ..... Alkalinity (Hardness) / KH

 

[Thisseemsfishy]

Yes it is....what about PO4, ALK, and Mg, what's that measure? Also are you using tap water or RO/DI?

I do not test PO4 or Mg. the alk is about 3.0

 

[jeff@zina.com]

I do not test PO4 or Mg. the alk is about 3.0

Take a look at: http://www.melevsreef.com/parms.html

You're way off in alk, as well as calc. Those will affect corals.

Jeff

 

[coralfish]

Is this 3 meq/l? I would be interested to see what your Mg & PO4 levels are as high PO4 and low Mg will cause corals to die.

 

[coralfish]

You're way off in alk, as well as calc.

How do you figure? I will agree that Ca could be a little lower, but 480 is not going to cause THAT large of an effect and is okay. 3.0 meq/l is okay as well, not 3.0 dkh though.