Treating with Vitamin C

[dodwyer]

This is my one week up date. I have been adding 1/8 tsp twice a day for 1 week. Below are the water parameters today and some photos.

I can not seem to keep the PH above 8 even using a PH buffer. I assume the PH buffer is the cause of the high KH / Alk numbers. Can anyone provide suggestions??

Temp - 78.1
SG - 1.026
PH - 7.79
Alk - 5.71
Mg - 1500
Ca - 360

 

[Pufferpunk]

I'd get your Mg down to around 1350. Sounds like several WC are in order with a good salt like Reef Crystals. What salt are you using now? I like my Ca around 400-450.

 

[dodwyer]

Puffy,
been using NSW for water changes, will that work??

 

[Pufferpunk]

IDK, how does that test out?

 

[dodwyer]

You mean to test out the NSW and see if the Mg numbers are near where I am heading? I will have to get back to you on that one, never checked.

 

[Jeff]

I would worry more about your alk. Your mag is kind of high but not high enough to really cause problems but if your alk is 5.71 meq/l (16 dkh) you could start loosing corals. I wouldnt use the ph buffer anymore, those are short term fixes that cause other problems.

 

[wingdestiny]

I am not sure, if VC can fix this colony I got from my LFS. I have tried everything basically and it seems like VC may work for this poor Zoa. I tried everything from Coral Snow (really expensive stuff) to red slime killer to get rid of Cyano Algae. It's been about a week and a half now and the Zoa's are really looking bad shrinking and becoming smaller... Ever since I got this frag, it has never opened up sometimes it opens up half-way and then closes up another. I am really frustrated at what is causing this, but my tank parameters are good.

PH: 8.3 - 8.4
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 20
Alk: 11
Salinity: 1.025

My tank is a 5 gallon nano tank and from the chart I calculate about
100mg of VC is needed twice a day. Correct me, if I am wrong.

Could anyone identify, if this frag is starting to melt or die? It looks alot worse in person than on camera.

Would VC be able to fix something as damaged as that?

First Day from LFS
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/222525Day_One-med.jpg


Side View
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/222525Now-med.jpg

Side View
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/222525Now2.jpg

 

[lowfi]

hi chicago and pufferpunk,

read pretty much all of this thread so im caught up. just had a few quick questions. I have an AP24 with no skimmer so I was wondering if VC would be OK to use in my system. I am filtering the overflow with filter floss which I change on a regular basis (every couple of days). The tank is primarily and LPS/softie tank so i thought this sounded like a great idea. Ill be bummed if i cant do it because its skimmerless.

Thanks for your help,
Sean

 

[REDDAWG43]

I just ordered my vit c from Iherb...
I just found thie thread through a post on another forum.

If anyone else plans on ordering from Iherb.com
it gave me a new $5 off code...it's REC110

 

[Pufferpunk]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15383847#post15383847 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lowfi
read pretty much all of this thread so im caught up.

I'm impressed! It has been shown that high doses of VC in a skimmerless tank can cause disaster to the system. I think at small doses (no more than 10ppm), should be ok but use with caution. I don't understand why you don't use a skimmer on that system?

 

[REDDAWG43]

You recommmend a skimmer even if your using the pure vit c power you recommend from iherb? Or is that more of a problem with the vit c pills that tend to have atleast a few other things added like cellulose?

 

[Pufferpunk]

I never recommend using VC pills at all. There is filler in them. I always recommend running a skimmer on any tank--even a nano. I have a Backpac on my 15g frag tank.

 

[wingdestiny]

I got some Calcium Ascorbate buffered in powder form. Pufferpunk, I would like to ask what is the difference between sodium ascorbate and calcium ascorbate, from what the label says they are both vitamin C. I am alittle bit confused, clarification between the two would be great.

Thanks.

 

[Pufferpunk]

Sodium, calcium & magnesuim ascorbate are all the same kind of ascorbate. All are fine to use, as long as that is the only ingredient.

 

[dodwyer]

Week 2 update - pics later but here are the water parameters

w1 -
Temp - 78.1
SG - 1.026
PH - 7.79
Alk - 5.71
Mg - 1500
Ca - 360

Week 2 - 1/8tsp x 2 a day in 24gal nano
Temp - 77
SG - 1.026
PH - 8.07
Alk - 5.71
Mg - 1440
Ca - 270

Overall things look to be on the mend, more open and some color coming back.

 

[Pufferpunk]

wingdestiny, Sory I missed your post. I see fungus on those zoas. Do a Furan dip for 20-30 minutes & get the VC up to 30ppm within the next week. Coral Snow is mostly silacates--total (expensive) junk. Also, I'd be doing more frequent WC to get that nitrate down closer to 0. Although the VC may just do that for ya.

dodwyer, Glad to hear the good feedback.

 

[guinness0514]

ok...I read this whole thing...from the very first page on the first split to now...My eyes hurt..... Puffer... I think I deserver a Puffer T-shirt or something.... going to bed now...haven't slept in 2 days....haha...going start my dosing tomorrow....Puffer can you tell me what I need to dose for my tank? HAHAHA...j/k.....I will take some before and after shots....good night.....

 

[Pufferpunk]

You make a puffer proud!!! Here ya go:

 

[guinness0514]

Wow....awesome

 

[Pufferpunk]

I know where you can get one...