Urgent problem...

[mbbuna]

the little spiral worms are just feather dusters, i doubt they are bothering the clam. the way the clam is retracing its mantle it looks like something is nipping at it

 

[KErickson978]

alright, so yesteday i was having net problems so i could update.. the clam did not make it.
so with the water quality being where its supposed to be and having lost two clams in a week, i wonder how i can prevent this from happening again.
i did notice a small area that looks like it had been bitten on a couple of tips of my staghorn coral, so i wonder if its been that blenny the entire time and this has been going on while i was at work. cause when i am home it doesnt bother anything at all. i would ask if it was bacterial, or viral but the bite marks out of the coral is kindda suspicious. ive never seen that ether. do the blennys get more agressive twards corals and clams as they age?

any ideas? i was hoping to put an order in with Barry when he reloads the store here in the next week or so but dont want to if i cant remove the problem.

 

[volcom69]

What kind of blenny i know there are some that will nip at ur sps so im sure he will nip at the clam to if he gets a chance. Blennies as far as i know are pretty aggressive thats why i never got one.

 

[Big load]

You need to reread the directions to your API test kit . I use the same one ,according to your earlier post you said your Ca reading was off the chart you used 17 drops to get the color change.On the chart in the back of directions 17 drops is only 340 ppm.If you read the directions where it says endpoint color it says if you think your Ca levelis about 400ppm you can add 15 drops of solution #2 at once cap and shake ,if the solution is pink continue adding dropsone at a time until the end point is reached. I would say your Ca levels are probably low as well as your magnesium.Which could be part of the problem along with the blenny.

 

[KErickson978]

ok thanks i will look at that again. i did take a water sample in to the lfs for a second oppinion yesterday and they said it was at 420.

 

[KErickson978]

ok i looked at my test kit again completely read it wrong. thank you for pointing that out to me.. so i tested the calcium levels tonight and they are at 380ppm. i will start raising that to proper levels tonight. (wondering why the lfs said it was at 420 what would they gain by it?)
so whats a good test/way to raise magnesium if its low?
and what effect does phosphate have on calcium? i tested for that too and its showing up slightly.

 

[Big load]

Maybe they read there test wrong,if you get a reading that is off I would wait a few minutes and run another sample.That is way better than trying to change things quickly. I use the sailfert test kit for mag it seems accurate and easy to read there are liquid supplements you can buy to raise it if needed

 

[KErickson978]

yeah.. i dont know how quickly to raise or lower any one thing in particular so im going slow and adjusting it day by day. is that to slow? thanks for the information on the Mg. does doing often water changes repenish magnesium? or does one actually need to manually replenish it

 

[Big load]

water changes will have mag in the new water but if the tank is low overall it will dilute the water you just put in Once you get everything stable stick to your routine and avoid hit and miss maintenance You can read more in the water chemistry forum it will explain it better than I can

 

[KErickson978]

i do change 5 gallons a week every week, but yeah have been slacking on the tests.. thanks for all the help