What is going on with my corals?

Yep, I know all about the problems of having high phosphate. I just didn't realize that was the problem until I thought to test it. I didn't have any algae issues so I never expected it. The funny thing was that when I had hair algae the phosphate was low and the corals looked great. Now that the hair algae is gone the phosphate is high and the corals are doing poorly. I tried an aluminum based remover several years ago and some of my softies didn't like it too much. The iron based remover seems to be reducing it and the corals have actually stopped receding. I did get a Salifert kit at Fishey Business this weekend and it shows between .25 and .5 now so it is coming down some. The water out of my reactor is testing 0 so it is doing something. I also tweaked the heck out of my skimmer this weekend. I hooked the Mag 24 up to it and have gotten it skimming pretty good. I got over a quart out since Saturday. It was pretty dark stuff also. I would adjust it and check it after an hour or two and adjust it again until I thought it was doing well. Now if it would stay the way I have it. :D I have a beckett nozzle that came with a pond kit and I am seriously considering making a good DIY beckett skimmer. I just need to find a simple, foolproof design. I would hate to build one and it not work any better than the skimmer I have.
 
Thanks for the link. I remember seeing most of those on RC but had forgotten about them. I think they may be a little too involved for me though. I have been looking at the Barr Aquatic skimmers though. Maybe the SK1620? Anyone have any experience with them? I guess the thing I really want is consistancy. My EV180 does good for a little while and then does hardly anything. Sometimes I can adjust it and get it working and sometimes I can't.
 
The Barr skimmers have a good rep. I was going to get one and I waited for a couple of months after being put on the list but eventually had to go another route. Not sure what the lag time is now, check Brents order page. I ended up going with an MRC MR2 and I'm very happy with it. http://www.myreefcreations.com Andy's turnaround is about two weeks or less on stock items.
Precision Marine also makes a good becket. You might be able to find an MRC or PM used if you look around.
Chris
 
Ah, there is the catch. The waiting list. I have been seriously looking at the MRC skimmers as well. I am not set on a beckett, just something that works. :P
 
If you are looking at needlewheels you might look at
http://www.geosreef.com
Euroreef and ASM also seem to get good and bad reviews but mostly good. Then there are H and S and Deltec which are both $$$$ with both having great reps and H and S being a little cheaper. Picture the reef sells H and S so if you are interested in those you might want to pm him.
If your looking for a recirc needlewheel you might look at Geos new site
http://www.calciumreactor.homestead.com

If you are looking for a big skimmer for your series of tanks the becket is going to be the most reasonably priced for the "skimming power" you get IMO. I would think an MR3 with a good pressure rated pump would work nice:)
Chris
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6621737#post6621737 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishdoc11
SSB=shallow sandbed
Click to expand...

DUH!! I knew that, can't believe I even asked.....Thanks though....
 
Okay, a little update. I used the phosphate remover but I think I had too much water flow through it and it was grinding it up and getting swept away. I had a few sps to rtn so I stopped using it. After I figured it out I started it back a few days later with a very slow flow, barely a trickle. The phosphate coming out of the reactor is now 0. My levels are slowly going down in the tank and the rtn/stning has stopped. It seems like the newer frags I have (probably less than 6 months) are showing pretty good polyp extension now. The colors are starting to come back to normal. I think the key to the GFO phosphate removers is VERY slow flow. I did notice an alk drop overnight when I was using higher flow and that could have done it. I have the phosphate down to about .25 now and it is dropping slowly but steadily. I think I panicked a little and tried to drop it too fast. It took a while for it to get there so I guess it will take a while to drop it also.
 
Hey guys, a little update. I finally got smart and did about a 90% water change a few months ago. After that everything stopped receding and started to look better again. Must have been something built up I didn't/couldn't test for. I got some frags from fishdoc11 a few weeks ago and I have noticed some are actually growing! Hopefully my problems are over for now and I can start rebuilding. It will take a long time for it to get back how I want it but I have patience.....well, as long as things aren't dying anyway.
 
Tell me about it! I thought it was over several times but problems just kept coming back. I am growing some algae now and I am actually glad about that. Before I coudn't even get algae to live. :lol:
 
I know the feeling... When I had the big crash last year, nothing would grow. When algae came back, I knew it was a good sign. Funny how it takes the worst to appreciate when you've got it just bad;).
 
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