dingy corals

[bill37]

Here is my dilemma. My corals have lost their pizaz... They are looking a little dingy. They have a light layer of a rust coating color. I can blow most off but some stays. Acros have this on there tips.

Tank is well established. This just recently started happening.

Tek 5 lighting 6 bulbs changed in Feb.
photo period 10 -11 hours
Calc 400
Ph 8.0-8.2
Alk Test kit reads normal
Mag 1220
Phos .15
Salinity 1.025

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[HighlandReefer]

Your phosphate is high. Higher phosphate levels will reduce the calcium deposition in corals. The recommended level for phosphate is less than 0.03.

Phosphate and the Reef Aquarium
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/rhf/index.php


What is your nitrate level at? Higher nitrate levels, can cause problems also.

 

[luther1200]

Are you running any GFO?

 

[kgross]

I am concerned about the rust colored coating that you can blow off the corals. Would you happen to have a flat worm infestation covering all your corals?

Kim

 

[bertoni]

A magnifying glass or a microscope might be useful in diagnosing the problem, but I agree that the phosphate level is rather high, if the kit is accurate. I'd consider a GFO reactor.

 

[bill37]

It it definately not flatworms. I will work on the phosphates. Thanks all.

 

[Percula9]

The rust might be brown diatoms. Phosphates are to high, recommend a phosban reactor.

 

[bill37]

Another question.. Why is my calcium not dropping?? It is at 450 without adding anything in about 2 weeks. I have done two water changes though. My Alk is a little low 1.5 - 1.7. my phosphate test kit is API. The lowest color on the chart is a light lime green. My water comes back a light yellow. Should I assume that is 0? My sps corals are not looking well. My caps are dingy and my milis tips look to be receeding. Here are a couple pics.

 

[bertoni]

Alkalinity should be at 2.5 meq/L or 7 dKH, at a minimum. If it's much lower than that, the corals can't deposit calcium carbonate, so calcium won't drop.

 

[bill37]

What is the best way to raise Alk??

 

[bertoni]

This article might help for dosing for the long haul:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/rhf/index.php

In the short term, baking soda, dissolved in RO/DI water, will add alkalinity. This calculator will help with a dose:

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html