You are concerned about the 250 ml water not weighing 250 grams? That's a trivially small correction, but even so, it is actually only true near 3.98 deg C, and not true at 25.
Nitrate Dosing
- Thread starter Spyderturbo007
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You are concerned about the 250 ml water not weighing 250 grams? That's a trivially small correction, but even so, it is actually only true near 3.98 deg C, and not true at 25.
Spyderturbo007
New member
I'm wondering if I should just consider a total tear down and replacement of all the sand and rock? My wife reminded me the other day of something that may or may not be relevant. When I initially brought home the rock 18 months ago, I pulled off what I now know as reef putty from some of the rocks. At the time, and for months after, I didn't have any coral and didn't know that it was putty. I'm wondering if the rock had been used and somehow contaminated?
I'm just running out of ideas and things to try.
Is it feasable to get a large rubbermaid container, fill it with dry rock and sand and cycle it by adding the same volume of food each day that I would add to the tank. Then move the fish and the two or three corals that are doing alright to a temporary tank while I siphon out all the sand and rescape the tank.
Theoretically, if I'm adding the same amount of food to the rubbermaid container, there should be no cycle in the tank?
Any thoughts? I just need to get this resolved and have no where else to turn. I think I've explored every option known to man and still have the same issues.
Here are some pictures.
I'm just running out of ideas and things to try.
Is it feasable to get a large rubbermaid container, fill it with dry rock and sand and cycle it by adding the same volume of food each day that I would add to the tank. Then move the fish and the two or three corals that are doing alright to a temporary tank while I siphon out all the sand and rescape the tank.
Theoretically, if I'm adding the same amount of food to the rubbermaid container, there should be no cycle in the tank?
Any thoughts? I just need to get this resolved and have no where else to turn. I think I've explored every option known to man and still have the same issues.
Here are some pictures.
jgalen0025
Member
You are concerned about the 250 ml water not weighing 250 grams? That's a trivially small correction, but even so, it is actually only true near 3.98 deg C, and not true at 25.
Im in pharma analytical chem right now and I just automatically thought that. I dream about that stuff now:headwally:. I didnt know it was 3.98C?:reading: thanks for the correction. I thought that you have to take into account the density of saltwater and the temp at which you are doing your chemistry but your right, for our purposes it means nothing
Adrnalnrsh
New member
Interesting. I was thinking I might of been experiencing the same issue. I assume the syringe wasn't at the 2ml mark like it said it was? How did you correct for it? Apart from dosing Mag!
As for the OP, how big is your tank and what's your stock list (fish only)?
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Spyderturbo007
New member
Adrnalnrsh
New member
Did I see somewhere that you started running GAC (I prefer Rox Carbon)
Also how is your mag, has it been tested more than once using different kits or from a 3rd party like an LFS?
Spyderturbo007
New member
The Magnesium was tested with both an Elos kit, a Red Sea Pro kit and I also ran it on our ICP here at work. Both test kits were run using a NIST traceable CRM and found to be accurate and repeatable.
My parameters are not something I'm worried about to be honest. My career is as a chemist, so accuracy, precision and repeatability of my were the first thing I investigated.
Spyderturbo007
New member
Not really. My LPS seems to be doing fine, but still don't have much color. My SPS that didn't get cooked from my stupid LEDs is now starting to die from the underside. The flesh is falling off.
I've given up since I'm out of options.
I've given up since I'm out of options.
mikeandnasreef
New member
Out of curiosity, what store did u purchase the frags from?
Spyderturbo007
New member
Everywhere. 
I bought some from the LFS, but most from frag swaps. I probably had coral from 10 different sources in there at some point in time.
The flesh is really falling off now. It went from bleached, to burnt, to brown and now the flesh is falling off. I want to drag the entire thing out for the trash. If it wasn't for the fish, I would have trashed the entire setup months ago. I have no desire to even look at the tank anymore. It's not fun to work on, nor do I even enjoy looking at the stupid thing. I regret every penny I've pumped into that tank over the last two years.
These were taken when the lights were out because it's easier to see the damage. :sad2:
I bought some from the LFS, but most from frag swaps. I probably had coral from 10 different sources in there at some point in time.
The flesh is really falling off now. It went from bleached, to burnt, to brown and now the flesh is falling off. I want to drag the entire thing out for the trash. If it wasn't for the fish, I would have trashed the entire setup months ago. I have no desire to even look at the tank anymore. It's not fun to work on, nor do I even enjoy looking at the stupid thing. I regret every penny I've pumped into that tank over the last two years.
These were taken when the lights were out because it's easier to see the damage. :sad2:
He might have some acro eating flatworms or tegastes/red bugs but other corals not just acros are dieing and havedied and coraline is fading. I'm still stuck on lighting and/or a toxin since there is no indication of trouble wit htemps, salinity or alkainity.
Spyderturbo007
New member
A few more photos showing the problem. Should I just rip out everything but my LPS and throw it in the trash? Do these things even have a chance of recovering?
Spyderturbo007
New member
I'm going to start offering a cash reward to anyone that can figure out my problem. I really don't want to give up but I have run out of options. :sad2:
Well read the thread and I gotta say it jumps around around a lot , I don't think there's one major issue but probably several small ones. If you would like to enjoy the hobby I would recommend for now to stop buying corals especially sps. Let things settle with a very average routine ,cut out all additives minus calcium and Alk which you shouldn't be using much of if corals are dying. go enjoy your summer and relax . After a coupe of months get a aquacultured frag from a friend and start fresh. If this were my personal system I would flush it and refill , skim very wet and run GAC .
Sometimes thinking about it to much leads to changing to much which leads to not being able to pinpoint a cause .
I would start with all quality liverock and use a smaller grain size sand as your looks a bit large?
Good luck
Ilianidis
New member
Мy opinion is also associated with the light, there is burning with UV light in the absence of sunscreen proteins. Reorganization is necessary to reduce the light, adding light with low Kelvin, reducing UV. Maintenance parameters around: nitrates 2-3 ppm,phosphates 0.04 ppm , alkalinity less than 7, calcium no more than 400 .Calcium and alkalinity burn at high doses.
Calcium and alkalinity is good for some time to maintain low.
Calcium and alkalinity is good for some time to maintain low.
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