Coraline dying off

[Capt.Nemo]

I have had some issues with tank, but I think I'm on the rebound.

Couple weeks ago I learned a lesson, a few others did that day too, according to the forums. Hindsight, it was so obvious, but didn't think about it. I had been topping off with salt water. Gravity through the roof and wouldn't even read with hydrometer.
I have slowly brought it down over 2 weeks and back to 1.025.
All other parameters.....
PH 8.1
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0

Been letting calcium come down @400 now
Alkaline 8
Mag was high @ 1500, but was told no major alarm with that.
I have been battling Phosphates.
Was 0.0 with Hanna on 3/16
.21 with Salifert on 3/27
I have added Phosban, but now concerned I am losing Coraline that I have worked so hard to get.
Tank is fallow now and until the 18th due to Brook, that will be the 72 day mark.

 

[homer1475]

Personally I think the crazy high salinity is what did it in. Just give it time, it will rebound.

 

[scooter31707]

same here. give it some time.

 

[mandingCa]

Do u have an urchin?

 

[Capt.Nemo]

No Urchin???

 

[frankv702]

That sucks to hear about the salinity! :/ sorry to hear! When I first got into the hobby, I was fortunate they told me to top off with fresh water or I would've probably done the same thing.

Anyways, be careful what you wish for on that coraline algae. Once it starts, it's hard to stop. I had to scrape my glass multiple times a week and if I let it go longer it was REALLY hard to come off. I ended getting some asterina stars as hitch hikers and they started eating it. It'll definitely come back in time though. In 6 months you'll be posting a thread about how to stop it from growing.

 

[uncleL]

Yeah sorry to hear that! You are doing Auto top off manually or do you have an ATO and use the wrong water?

 

[Capt.Nemo]

it was all me. inexperience.

I am loving the hobby. I do find myself staring into the tank even though its fallow right now. spent a pretty big wad on getting the 75 going, ATO was a little further toward the bottom of the list.

some of the chemistry has been a little tough to learn and tweek.

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

My tank is 3 years old and still don't have coralline algae.Have plenty in the sump but not in my dt.