Corals dying

[spoiledcats]

First off-my water params are normal-amm-0,nitrite-0,nitrate<20,phosphate<.025,salinity-1.025. I can't seem to get phospate and nitrate to 0 no matter what, and everything has been in this water for at least a year(with the usual water changes). I have xenia, a finger leather, 2 zoas, monticap, millipora, sun coral, crocea clam, candycane frag. Over the last several months, things have started dying off. All of my sps have died. The monticap and milli are now bleaching, and I've noticed the sun coral not looking good. The xenia has taken over one corner of the tank. Can there be some chemical warfare going on between the xenia, zoas, and leather cause those are the only 3 corals that seem to be thriving? I don't know what to do at this point, other than start taking things out. I would hate to see the sun coral die(well, I hate to see anything die). Help!

 

[conefree]

Try using some carbon and/or a polyfilter to clean up any possible chemical warfare or other unseen/untested chemicals.

 

[2639]

Sure sounds like water pollution to me. I'd opt to take out the Xenia at the least. Or at least thin it out or move it. You could do some large water changes until 100% of the water is replaced.

I've also read that running the alk and ph slightly higher than normal helps rid the tank of toxins released be leathers.

Running chemi-pure would probably help too. What type of protein skimmer do you have? When is the last time you've cleaned it to optimize it's skimming?

You haven't introduced anything like tap water or ( gasp ) your children ( if you have any ) havent tossed in anything ( like a penny ) have you or they?

Just some ideas to look out for and ponder upon

 

[spoiledcats]

I am running carbon, I have an ASMG2 skimmer. I run phosban, and also have a nitrate sponge in a bag in the sump. Will cutting back the xenia release toxins in the water? I've been fragging it little by little, but if I cut a major part back, what will that do to the water quality?

 

[blackheart]

I hope it is not a penny that would be horable. But just so you know the xenia seem to thrive in (no offense) dirtier water. I would listen to the guy above get your self some chemipure in the tank do some major water changes and check your sand bed a lot of nasty chemicals can build up in a sand bed that would destroy the whole tank. I am hoping that you have some sort of critter designated as a sand sifter maybe a konch or a star or nassarious or cucumber anything really cause if that stuff builds up it can be real bad. well good luck and tell us about your filtration system that might lead to some answers

 

[Craig Lambert]

What is your calcium level? What about ALK as well?

 

[spoiledcats]

I have a refugium, about 140lbs. of live rock. I have a sandsifting goby to stir up the sand. I don't think there is a problem with my filtration. This tank has been up and running for over 6 years now. This is a new problem. Something odd is going on. I haven't added any new fish or corals for a while. The last thing I added was the leather, and that was about 6 months ago.

 

[nmprisons]

when was the last time you replaced your bulbs? it sounds like you most light loving corals have deteriorated first. just something to think about.

 

[spoiledcats]

Haven't tested alkalinity-will do that next. Calcium is at about 490-I know that's high, not sure why.

 

[Reef$moker]

personally, I don't consider 490 to be high. Mine varies from 500 to 400. It just all depends on if I'm dosing kalk that week or not LOL

I talked to a biologist at Epcot a few weeks ago and he said they run their ca at 750!!! I was shocked ( Epcot has a coral propogation section btw )

 

[Tang Salad]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8352686#post8352686 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nmprisons
when was the last time you replaced your bulbs?

That's an important question.

 

[reefshadow]

I would look to ca and alk first as well like Craig suggested. Some would even argue that alk is more important for coral calcification than ca is. If your calcium is running consistantly high it is all the more reason to check for a low alk, you will lose alkalinity faster than calcium and it must be supplemented in some fashion.

You also didn't mention PH, a low alk can lead to a depressed PH which is stressfull to most corals.

Yes it can be allelopathy but I would check chemical params first, esp since you are running carbon and have a decent skimmer.

GL

 

[miwoodar]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8355415#post8355415 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefshadow
I would look to ca and alk first as well like Craig suggested. Some would even argue that alk is more important for coral calcification than ca is. If your calcium is running consistantly high it is all the more reason to check for a low alk, you will lose alkalinity faster than calcium and it must be supplemented in some fashion.

You also didn't mention PH, a low alk can lead to a depressed PH which is stressfull to most corals.

I second this...I would check the alk (and then pH) before bothering to look anywhere else.