Need help.

[kalfsbeckj]

I have no clue how this happened. My parameters are as follows.

56 Gallon Tall reef tank.

Mainly softies. - Mushrooms, zoos, a couple lps- frogspawn, open brain- a maxima clam and a leather - toadstool- a couple of seafans- the ones that require light.

I am running a sunpod 2x150 HQI MH system (runs for 7 hours)

The tank is fed once in the evening (spectrum pellets, and zooplankton once a week)

5 Gallon WC once a week used w/ a Water D/I. the water used is well water.

Fish in the tank is a yellow watchman, strawberry basslet, saddleback clown, pink bar goby, and a 3" fox face (he's in there until he gets a little larger for my 210 gallon. and he doesn't pick on any corals)

About every other water change i add Kent Buffer/dkh (thats with all the top offs I have to add throughout that period also)

And I add 1 capful of Kent Iodine every other week.

My PH is 8.5
Amonia, Trites and Trates are all 0
I dunno what my phosphates are at but I add a phosphate sponge in my canister filter.
My Calcium has gone up to 500
and My KH is out of control at 22

I am noticing brown algae on the gravel and rocks but I use a small power head to blow those off. The only coral right now that is affected are some of my zoos. (closed up and since close some of the brown algae is trying to cover them. but I use the small PH to blow the algae off)

Equipment on my tank :
-3x 1140 Penguin Power Heads
-9005 Tunze DOC skimmer
-Rena Xp 3 Cannister filter- Basket 1= 4 Sponges, Basket 2 = Phosphate sponge, Basket 3= Carbon Sock and Floss Pad
-Breed Basket w/ small pieces of LR and Calupera

I'm really not reading any straight answers on normal online searches for this scenario. Any help or experience in this scenario would be awesome. I know I can't be the only one who hit this road before.


Thanks,

 

[Billybeau1]

First, you've got to stop adding that Kent's buffer.

Why are you adding it if your alk is at 22 ?

 

[kalfsbeckj]

I was adding it after doing all the top offs w/ water that had a low PH.

 

[Billybeau1]

Unfortunately using buffers only has a short term affect on pH and will raise your alk through the roof. You've already found that out I see.

How low is your pH and how do you measure ?

 

[Billybeau1]

Also you should not be concerned with the pH of your top off water. It is of no consequence as the water has no buffering capacity.

 

[JESUS VILLASEÑO]

do several small water changes every 3-4 days (same temperature and s g from the main tank) lets say about 10%. use ro water. use two part additives very carefully after your parameters are back to normal. good luck¡

 

[bertoni]

If any animals are showing signs of trouble, then I'd do some water changes. Otherwise, the alkalinity and calcium should drop on their own.

Personally, I'd recommend switching to a product like B-Ionic or a similar 2-part for supplementation, since they tend to be easier to use and less likely to lead to this type of problem.