need advice, so frustrating

[sil40sx]

I am using Kent superbuffer for years and never had any problem.

Loc

Are you dosing, or pouring the solution daily?

What are your numbers like, before and after if you are pouring it?

 

[sil40sx]

With 0 nitrates you'll get burnt tips if you raise your alk to 9....

You need to get your nitrates up. 0ppm will cause rtn/stn.

Right now I haven't made any changes, other than turning my skimmer off during the day, and turning it back on at night. I'm assuming this will raise my No3. Too bad I dont have a good test kit yet.

Just within 24 hours, I already see some improvements. - zoas opened up more, Trachyphyllia looks fatter than ever,. The toadstool's polyps looks longer too. :bounce1:

 

[Grant W]

Bring the nitrates up to 5 or so

 

[Grant W]

Oh and it should push your phosphates down a bit too.

 

[loc01]

Are you dosing, or pouring the solution daily?

What are your numbers like, before and after if you are pouring it?

I just pour it twice a week, ca 400-420, dkh 8-10.

Loc

 

[loc01]

I don't use rodi water, I just run water thr. carbon filter and that's it. This way I can get 10g of water in 2 minutes and no waste water too. I planned just to keep the softies but seems like my sps frags thriving and color up pretty nice too(surprised). Here is a couple pictures I took using my cheap phone.

 

[sil40sx]

Bring the nitrates up to 5 or so

Still no Salifert test kit, but from my API, it reads between 0 and 5ppm now since I turn off my skimmer during the day. Used to be dead 0.

LPS and softies looks happy,. Birdsnest and digitata are gonners though. :sad2:

 

[sil40sx]

I just pour it twice a week, ca 400-420, dkh 8-10.

Loc

Your swings are way more than mine, but you're not having any problems.

I don't use rodi water, I just run water thr. carbon filter and that's it. This way I can get 10g of water in 2 minutes and no waste water too. I planned just to keep the softies but seems like my sps frags thriving and color up pretty nice too(surprised). Here is a couple pictures I took using my cheap phone.

Wow, amazing! Very impressive!

 

[loc01]

Swing in close range is fine, just don't let it goes below 7 or above 12.

Loc

 

[o2manyfish]

Invest in a Triton Test kit and check 25+ parameters with one test. It can help point you in the right direction if you have an issue.

There also has a been an issue with some inexpensive Chinese pumps that are leaching nasty heavy metals into the water from crappy coatings on the impeller shafts. Triton test will let you know what Toxic metals might be in your water


Dave B

 

[i_am_poor]

It's weird that you are using Coral Pro salt with a weekly water change and is only testing at 7ish Alk.. I'd suggest having another person test your salinity and alk for accuracy.

 

[sil40sx]

Invest in a Triton Test kit and check 25+ parameters with one test. It can help point you in the right direction if you have an issue.

There also has a been an issue with some inexpensive Chinese pumps that are leaching nasty heavy metals into the water from crappy coatings on the impeller shafts. Triton test will let you know what Toxic metals might be in your water


Dave B

Haven't thought about that,. That's a good idea. Thanks, I'll check out triton.

 

[sil40sx]

It's weird that you are using Coral Pro salt with a weekly water change and is only testing at 7ish Alk.. I'd suggest having another person test your salinity and alk for accuracy.

Makes sense. I haven't tested water right after a WC.

I'll try it tomorrow, I'll even test fresh salt mix to make sure.

 

[jabel]

Like everyone has said, try to keep your parameters stable. Probably worth getting a dosing pump. One thing I've noticed is that our tanks tend to run low on Iodine. I believe this is due to excessive protein skimming. I had problems keeping SPS for years and now add Iodine each week. It only takes a few drops depending on you tank volume. You also need to be cautious as too much is bad. I get away with adding ~5 drops a week in about 250 gal. I noticed a difference in 3 days.
Hope this helps,
Jeff