corals taking a hit ...help please...

[larryfl1]

hey all ,

trying to figure out whats going on...the only thing i can think is my alk is just too high since i am running pellets...

phosphates are undetectable now...they were sitting around .1 up until a week ago....

nitrate around 2...could be lower and just test kit error...not sure...its always 2 using red sea pro test kit...

alk around 10dkh
calc around 520
mag around 1300

salt 1.026

take a look at the photos...let me know your thoughts...please...

 

[cediss]

Those aren't both montipora, but I'd look real close to see if there's a nudibranch munching on the cap. During the day they hide on the underside of the cap eating tissue there.

 

[mike_cmu04]

Agree the nudibranches are white i had them and didn't notice them until the cap was half gone.

 

[larryfl1]

what eats them or how do i get rid of them?

 

[cediss]

Not sure how this picture looks uploaded. But here are the montipora nudibranchs I removed from my coral a month ago. So far no signs they are back. It's amazing how fast they destroy tissue but also how fast the coral can come back once the nudibranchs are gone. View attachment ImageUploadedByTapatalk1341691522.885185.jpg

 

[alanbates12]

If your running bio pellets you may be stripping your system of vital nutrients for your corals.

 

[larryfl1]

i may turn off the bio pellets and just go with refugium and water changes.....

 

[larryfl1]

i just thought of something...i had gone to my local shop and they tested my alkalinity and said it was 6 that was about 3 weeks ago...i added alkalinity and then tested and it was 9 or so... i think they misread in the first place and it was higher...

maybe the addition of alkalinity did it......???

 

[alanbates12]

I don't think those levels would do any harm but maybe someone with more experience could answerer that better.

 

[Alex T.]

I don't think those levels would do any harm but maybe someone with more experience could answerer that better.

A jump from 6 to 9 in dKH can definitely do that, especially in a carbon dosed, bacteria driven system. Before I knew about the effects of unstable and higher than 7 - 8 alkalinity in a carbon dosed system, I was using Oceanic Salt which has extremely high calcium and off the charts magnesium. This obviously kept driving down alkalinity with Calcium levels over 500 all the time.

Unknowingly, I kept adding alkalinity to keep the tank around 9 - 10 and it ultimately led to STN from the base up of all my acros. I tried to save them by probably doing the worst thing I could have. I did massive water changes, changed my carbon, and ran more of it! Then the RTN'd and I was ****ed! Later I learned it was not a pest, not my water quality or some unknown toxin or pathogen, but my own doing.

Larry, let the alkalinity slowly drop to 7. Six is fine, but doesn't leave much room downward. Seven to eight dKH is a great target while carbon dosing. I saw great results when keeping alkalinity stable in that range. My monti cap did same thing yours did. Also, make sure that you really need carbon dosing. Many people (myself included) go back to running our reefs old school with moderate stocking, moderate feeding and regular water changes and get the same results, with less margin for error IMHO. Remember too that while carbon dosing you need to feed a bit more than usual to keep the corals happy. Personally, I'd rather keep a little nitrate in the water column and seem to be getting the same results. Carbon dosing isn't a cure all. For some people it can work wonders and turn a tank around, but I feel the vast majority of us are better served sticking with tried and true methods that require patience, and a conservative approach.

HTH

 

[alanbates12]

Well put Alex, thanks.