Tank is acting king of "weird"

[kng]

In the last few weeks my macro algae seems to be dying off and my red monti died. I also noticed that my pod population is non-existent. Any thoughts?

Here are the parameters:

58 RR with 20L sump (sump is reverse lit)
Euro Reef Skimmer runs 24/7
Icecap ballast running Phoenix 14K 250W DE
Use Kent Part A and B (I stopped using kalk about 2 years ago because I'm lazy)
Use Seachem Magnesium since I use IO salt
I feed flake every other day, and feed adult frozen brine shrimp and golden pearls about once a month

Temp 84 F
SG 1.0225 (this is a little low...added 1 cup IO to water change water)
Alk 9.8 DKH
Ca 345 ppm
Mg 1,110
pH 7.8
Nitrate 0 ppm
Nitrite 0 ppm
Ammonia 0 ppm

Thanks,
-Kyle

 

[wpecoul]

Just some thoughts from your params/results...

Magnesium looks low
Temp is on the high side
pH is on the low end

You said your red monti died - how? What did it do as it was dying? Did the color slowly fade out and tissue die, or was it something else?

 

[kng]

These parameters have been the same the entire time the tank's been set-up (February 2005). That is why I'm having trouble figuring this out...there has been no CHANGE in anything I can find. The macro is odd too. Maybe it's just a "cycle" thing?

The monti quickly bleached.

 

[wpecoul]

Well, if >something< hasn't recently changed, it makes no sense that you'd be seeing rapid change, and even less sense that the monti would suddenly bleach after thriving for however long you'd had it in your tank. I'd check your test kits and thermometer. Good luck.

 

[shirley386]

Have you recently changed lights? Sprayed any bug killer or air freshener? Kids dropped a penny in the tank? Powerhead releasing stray voltage?

Just trying to think of anything unusual.

 

[NicoleC]

With both a monti dying (unless it got stung by a nearby coral?) and macro algae dying, I'm going to guess a toxin issue even though bleaching usually indicates a temperature problem as the prime suspect.

First, do a big water change. As big as you can handle! Just let the water mix and aerate for 24 hours first and match temp and pH to the tank water. (RO water, right?) This will help dilute any toxins that may have crept in. Then do another one as soon as you can. If it's not at least 50% each time, do a whole series. Just be sure you don't shock the tank with pH or temp each time.

But other thoughts:

That low of a pH suggests a possible oxygen problem. As houses get closed up non-stop with AC on during the summer heat, sometimes this becomes a problem. Search RC or Google on how to test your water for low oxygen using the aeration test.

Your food is not very nutritious. If you want to feed brine shrimp, feed enriched BBS. Consider switching to a frozen prepared food like Formula One from Ocean Nutrition or Rod's, or consider making your own. (Again, Google will be helpful.)

Bring your temp down. Do it gradually, but if you can get to 80F or so, you'll be in a much safer range. 84 is not horrible for many creatures, but it is pushing the upper boundary, and a heater malfunction or AC being out for a day could push you up 4 or 5 degrees before you can react. You can slightly cool the water changes to help bring the temp down.

As long as you are tank focused, and if you haven't done it recently, it's a good time to clean all those pumps and impellers that may be reducing your flow.

 

[kng]

Thanks for everyone's ideas! One change that I realized was with my RO/DI system. About a month or two ago I changed all the cartridges with PureH2O products. It was waaaay overdue, and my TDS were reading over 100. I changed them, let them flush for almost two hours, and it is now reading 0.

Anyone have similiar experience?

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Yes, I did have a very similar experience.

A couple of years ago, my RO membrane failed prematurely within two months or so of replacement. I suspect that it was caused by extra chlorine the city of Madison had put in after some major construction in the area. I did not notice what happened to my RO membrane right away, but my SPS's started RTNing and turning brown. I kept wondering about the salt mix and other things. Then, one day it dawned on me to test my RODI water and found my reading to be ninty something out of RO outlet and seventy something out of DI outlet. After changing all the components, the things got better pretty quickly.

 

[kng]

Thanks Tomoko. Actually, my problems started after I changed the components.

 

[8BALL_99]

Its a very good chance your tank had gotten use to that extra stuff from your tap water. That constant trickle of a little extra CA, Po4 and No3 and water ever else might have been helping things. Or there is always a chance that you got something in your water. Carpet fresh, Pledge, windex even a kid tossing a penny in your sump lol. Never know. I'd do a large water change like others said just incase.
For me your PH, MG and CA are to low, Temp is also on the high side. I know you said its always been this way just figured Id mention it. I shoot for 1300 MG and atleast 400 CA. My Ph stays on the high side at 8.2-8.3 I keep my salinity at 1.025
HTH Will

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Hmm, that's odd. I was using components I bought from PurelyH2O, too. A few months ago I switched to a batch of prefilter and carbon filters from Bulk Reef Supply since they offer a nice bulk discount.

 

[kng]

Good point Will. My tank hasn't seen 0 TDS in a long time.

Toxins are a possibility, but since it's in the wall, the room it's in has limited access, so I can control the chemical and kiddo access pretty good. (But I did check the sump for a penny, just in case).

 

[8BALL_99]

lol well I've got a equipment room to, But I still managed to get simple green splashed in the tank while I was mopping the floor one day. Didn't nuke the tank but I did have a couple corals die.

 

[sedor]

Are you running a DSB by any chance. Considering the tank has been set up since '05 I have heard that over time DSB can cause problems with toxins. Just a thought?

 

[8BALL_99]

Most of the time though from what I understand is issues with DSB will be Po4 and No3 Problems. If that stuff is staying 0 it shouldn't be that. I'd bet on it being the sudden change in water chemistry or a contaminant