I suspect there is more to it but that may be part of it....
my corals keep dying!!!
- Thread starter Benji08
- Start date
I suspect there is more to it but that may be part of it....
actually i have never seen any of them go near any of the corals. the puffers i have i was told were reef safe i know not all of them are though. one time when i was putting one in the flame came up to my hand and looked at it for a few sec then swam away.
i know thats always a possibility but like i said most of them last a few months, anywhere from 2-8 months is pretty much my record. i used to have a 55gallon that i only put corals in. and i still had the issues I'm having. I'm working on a new refugium right now that is properly built and set up. maybe that will help me.
Another tank, same problems? Ok that is odd.... is there anything that is in common from that tank to this one ? Equipment, rock etc.?
Also test your water sources for something like copper or heavy metal.....
Any of them can be toxic to corals....
i ordered one it will be here monday. i don't have a good fish shop within a decent distance.
an rodi *should" take out this kind of stuff. a skimmer only takes out organic proteins , not heavy metals or minerals.
the thing is I would have the water tested before and after the rodi to verify what it is like.
copper for example is used to treat fish for some diseases, if the level is not too high the fish can live but most marine corals and inverts like shrimp, snails crabs are adversely affected.
this might not be the problem but I is something that seems to fit what you have had happening, also a pump could have toxic metals that are getting into the water, any pumps that have been in both tanks should be checked.
just want to rule out a possible cause.
this just seems like more than bad luck, if you can keep fish and not corals and your basic water parameters are not too crazy then there has to be *something* happening that makes corals sick and die but not fish.
also how long since the ro membrane was changed ?
the pre filter ?
the di cartridge ?
do you have a tds meter to test the final water's tds numbers ?
if the ro membrane or the di cart have not been changed often that can lead to bad quality of water.
again just trying to figure out what is getting in the tank that is so bad for corals.
almost anyone can keep mushrooms for example, they can take over a tank even with not great water params and even with very low light levels.
copper: standard test kits that you can get from marine supply sources, salifert for example form marine depot as one example.
also just in case you do not know this TDS:
Total Dissolved Solids - is an indicator of quality but not a proof that toxic materials are removed. so you can have a low tds but still have liquid contaminates in the water.
also have you looked for any local reef clubs that have a good sized membership ? I would think that if you check and find some local folks who have done this a while they will know of things like local water problems and may be willing to help you check the system and go over this stuff and find out what's going on. and they may also be able to help you with some starter corals and stuff so that you do not keep spending money on stock.
having a couple of good folks who have years of exp. with corals check your tank and setup might find things that we will never find over the internet.
dentnshell
New member
Coppper? Chloramine? How much carbon are you running in your RO?
im actually in a reef club. its based out of pittsburgh. sadly i live over an hour away and there is only one person even remotely close to me. they have all offered advice and tried to help me. i just dont seem to be getting anywhere. they are y i built a refugium and upgraded to led lights and got my rodi filter. a few years ago i was just using regular tap water. (funny enough i was having better results haha)
shifty51008
12-5 Chiefs record
The poly filter will let you know if you have copper in the tank
okay so i got my fuge set up and going. im extremely proud of myself. any suggestions and do you think this will help. i did not have anything like this before. it was just an empty tank under my tank with a few filter pads.
https://www.facebook.com/benjamin.greco.7/videos/vb.100002864765386/757517617687057/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/benjamin.greco.7/videos/vb.100002864765386/757517617687057/?type=3&theater
alexgoffxi
New member
Test your magnesium and ph this is also important.
Reef Frog
New member
100% failure to me suggests something major & simple but overlooked. How about this:
High or low salinity which deviated significantly from 1.026.
Sounds simple but if you use a swing arm or uncalibrated refractometer, your're at risk and it can't be ruled out.
I also would suspect the lights as a primary suspect too as it fits this premise. Can you control intensity & color. Are these reef designed 3w LEDs. You could even be getting too little light if these are older generation <1watt LEDs. Bad lights and the wrong salinity? Nothing will last. If I were in your position, I would definitely be compelled to try something tried & true like LEDs or a proven 3rd generation LED.
Contamination is #3. Exterminator, hands in the tank, bad salt, dosing wierd stuff?
Good luck & hope you can figure it out.
High or low salinity which deviated significantly from 1.026.
Sounds simple but if you use a swing arm or uncalibrated refractometer, your're at risk and it can't be ruled out.
I also would suspect the lights as a primary suspect too as it fits this premise. Can you control intensity & color. Are these reef designed 3w LEDs. You could even be getting too little light if these are older generation <1watt LEDs. Bad lights and the wrong salinity? Nothing will last. If I were in your position, I would definitely be compelled to try something tried & true like LEDs or a proven 3rd generation LED.
Contamination is #3. Exterminator, hands in the tank, bad salt, dosing wierd stuff?
Good luck & hope you can figure it out.
I think this is going to get solved, hope we get a post soon with some good news!
I know the OP is looking at the posts and trying to work thru the ideas one at a time till he gets things figured out.
it's like a "who dunnit" keep working on the suspects oone at a time till you get them all accounted for.
and that include the chances of a "Gang Hit" as well....
I know the OP is looking at the posts and trying to work thru the ideas one at a time till he gets things figured out.
it's like a "who dunnit" keep working on the suspects oone at a time till you get them all accounted for.
and that include the chances of a "Gang Hit" as well....
alexgoffxi
New member
Fyi i overdosed my carbon once and it almost wiped my coral. To much carbon can kill, not sure if your using any.
