*summary, have problems with tank need recommendations.
I am new to this forum, but I have had a SW tank for about 2 1/2 years now. I started with a 30 gal and didnt have any major issues. About 1 1/2 -2 years ago, I moved up to a 120g tank. The 120g also has a 30g sump/ref.
Since moving to the new tank, I have had problems with keeping most corals alive for more then a week or two. (My fish, on the other hand my fish are doing great). Over time, I have tried a few things to resolve the problems, this increasing the in tank flow by replacing my maxjet 1200 with Koralas 3's, but that didn't seem to make a major difference. With coral lives, my flow is a lot better and more turbulent. My levels have been pretty consistent throughout the time I have had the tank up.
After speaking with multiple members on a local forum, I think we identified the overall problem as having way too much light for my tank. I did have 2 400w MH for my 120g, with supplemental lighting with 65w power compacts. This month I have changed my lighting to 2 250w MH instead of the 400's.
Since the change, my water parameters have been changing quite a bit. Low alk, high cal, nitrates are now around 15-20. I have increased the light cycle on my ref. to try and help reduce the nitrates and have bought some supplements to try and raise the alk. Even though I have done this, I have now lost a few more my soft corals, I dont know if the change in lighting is what caused it or just more of a coincidence.
I am looking for additional opinions to make sure I am heading the right way. My questions are could the lighting really be the original problem? Also would changing the lighting be the catalyst for the resent changes in water chemistry? What further can I do to help resolve my problems?
I am in the process of getting the parts for a calcium reactor to see if that will do anything, but I need to sell my bulbs and ballasts to supplement the new purchases.
I am new to this forum, but I have had a SW tank for about 2 1/2 years now. I started with a 30 gal and didnt have any major issues. About 1 1/2 -2 years ago, I moved up to a 120g tank. The 120g also has a 30g sump/ref.
Since moving to the new tank, I have had problems with keeping most corals alive for more then a week or two. (My fish, on the other hand my fish are doing great). Over time, I have tried a few things to resolve the problems, this increasing the in tank flow by replacing my maxjet 1200 with Koralas 3's, but that didn't seem to make a major difference. With coral lives, my flow is a lot better and more turbulent. My levels have been pretty consistent throughout the time I have had the tank up.
After speaking with multiple members on a local forum, I think we identified the overall problem as having way too much light for my tank. I did have 2 400w MH for my 120g, with supplemental lighting with 65w power compacts. This month I have changed my lighting to 2 250w MH instead of the 400's.
Since the change, my water parameters have been changing quite a bit. Low alk, high cal, nitrates are now around 15-20. I have increased the light cycle on my ref. to try and help reduce the nitrates and have bought some supplements to try and raise the alk. Even though I have done this, I have now lost a few more my soft corals, I dont know if the change in lighting is what caused it or just more of a coincidence.
I am looking for additional opinions to make sure I am heading the right way. My questions are could the lighting really be the original problem? Also would changing the lighting be the catalyst for the resent changes in water chemistry? What further can I do to help resolve my problems?
I am in the process of getting the parts for a calcium reactor to see if that will do anything, but I need to sell my bulbs and ballasts to supplement the new purchases.
