What's happening Here?

[phoenix001]

First, let me give a little background. My tank is a 90 gallon SPS tank. Several weeks ago, I had a mishap take place with my CA reactor and my Kh dropped to 6.5 for a while and I didn't know anythign was happening until some of my prized SPS started declining. I identified the problem and fixed it, but it was too late. On top of that, I allowed my TDS to rise to a 9 or 10 and before I noticed that, I had done several water changes. I then fixed the TDS problem. for a few weeks now, my Kh has been stable around 8.5-9 and I've conducted several water changes with 0 TDS. I've also replaced my 1 year old 250W 20K radiums and my VHO actinics. Finally, I added a BRS Reactor and have started running GFO as of 2 day's ago. I'm sure there are other details, but because of the combo of the above, my SPS started developing algae on the tips and I can't seem to get rid of it. There are small bubbles on most of my SPS. Take a look at the pics. Phosphates on a Salifert test are very faint.

Sorry for the poor picture quality. Anyway, just wondering if there is anything else I can do. I will tell you that I sent a water sample to AWT and they said my PO4 was GOOD @ 0.11 - is that good? they also said my DKH was LOW at 6.11 - I just tested it with my Elos test and its 8.5. They also said I have high Copper @ 0.15 - this is troubling to me, but I have no idea how copper could get into my tank. Finally they said my Mg level is 2500 (yes 2500) which is just crazy. Anyway, any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[bertoni]

Phosphate at 0.11 is very high, if that number is accurate. Do you have your own test kit? I don't trust their numbers, generally. I might add some fresh GFO. The media can be depleted quickly if the tank is high in phosphate.

I'd run a PolyFilter if I was worried about copper. It'll remove the copper and turn blue. A lot of fresh carbon will help with a lot of toxins, too.

Has any magnesium been dosed into the system? It'd take a huge amount to raise the level that high.

Alkalinity test kits have been a thorn in the side of a lot of us. I'd get a second test kit and check it.

I can't tell what the bubbles are, but oxygen is my first guess. Is there a microbial film on the corals? There might be a lot of photosynthesis occurring for some reason.

If you're sure the water source is clean, some water changes might help a fair amount. I might do a few 20% changes, if the corals are declining.

 

[phoenix001]

I thought that Phosphate # was high - Interesting that AWT said 0.11 was good. I started running the GFO from a Bulk Reef Supply reactor this past Tuesday - this is after I sent in a water sample to AWT. I have a new Salifert Phosphate kit and the result on Tuesday before I started the GFO was very hard to tell - I don't think it was a 0 reading, so I assumed it was the next color up. I will test again in a few. Do you think I should already replenish the GFO?

As far as Mg is concerned, interesting that you should ask as AWT told me my Mg is 2500!! A few weeks back, I had a problem with my CA Reactor - basically I ruined the media, so I replaced it and at the same time, I added a tablespoon of Zeo mag per the instructions - actually less than the instructions. could the Zeo Mag cause a 2500 reading? I use Tropic Marin Pro Reef @ 1.026. Unfortuantely my Elos mg kit is out. I'm going to ordr a new one today. I don't see a film on the corals, just algae on the tips and bubbles that get worse as the day goes on - assume that's due to photosynthesis. I will get a Polyfilter to check copper - this is very troubling to me.

 

[phoenix001]

I just tested Phosphates with a brand new Salifert kit and the reading is zero - the test water was absolutely clear. When I tested it this past Tuesday prior to starting up the GFO reactor, it wasn't quite as clear, so I assumed thew reading was 0.03 (I think that's the next one after 0), so I'm hoping the GFO is helping. I also tested Alkalinity with my Elos kit and the reading is 9.0DKH.

 

[chuckreef]

Very hard to see the pic.

What's happening?
---> I think the pic shows a coral that died - proably from a toxic substance in the high TDS water - and now Cyano bcteria is consuming the dead coral flesh and is producing O2 bubbles.

I doubt the 6.5 alk was a problem at all really.

By the time you hit breakthrough (TDS of 9), the resin had realesed a large amount of undesirable substances back into your water. Some of them were likely toxic (to corals).

 

[phoenix001]

Neither coral is dead although the coral in the first pic is in really bad shape. I do see some Cyano on my center overflow and on a few tips of my large birdnest. Since I corrected all of the aformentioned problems, the tank seems to be improving, I just hope its not too late. I have some SPS colonies that remain unaffected by any of the issues I caused.

 

[phoenix001]

I just had a thought regarding the possibility that copper has leached into my tank. If I allowed my TDS to creep up to a reading of 9, is it possible that the fitting I use to supply water to my RO/DI pictured below (I think its made out of copper) could leach copper into my tank?

 

[bertoni]

With the TDS at 9, there could be a lot of problems with the water. Copper is possible.

 

[chuckreef]

The brass fitting is probably not a problem or the problem. There are palstic hose to JG fittings available though for a few bucks.

 

[phoenix001]

I went and picked up a couple polyfilters today. I put one on the overflow side of my sump between the skimmer and the first baffle. Is this a good spot? Also, how long will it take to turn blue (assuming I have copper in the tank)? I put it in about 3 hours ago - still looks white.

 

[bertoni]

I'd give it a few days, at least.

 

[tmz]

A few thoughts:

The calcium reactor mishap may have caused alkalinity swings which in my experience are sometimes followed by stn, particularly at the growth tips.While a dkh of 6.5 would not likely be a problem , bounces might.

Algae and/ or cyano bacteria often grow on dead spots such as burnt tips. It can take a coral months to regrow over these spots and nuisance organisms seem to like it there. Maybe the coral slime feeds them some. Cutting off some of the dead skeletal area can accelerate the process.

Very low PO4 (<.03ppm) will inhibit growth by green nusiance aglae to a point. 0.11 ppm PO4 is high in this regard but should not inhibit calcification , in my experience,nor cause stn.. Also note Salifert in it's PO4 test kit cites 0.10ppm as a critical high point with 0.25ppm as a level at which calcification will be inhibited.

I would personally remove the brass fitting.

Running polyfilter is a good idea but I wouldn't necessarily expect it to turn blue enough to notice unless copper levels were very high in which case your corals would be in much worse condition.Even minute amounts of copper from the fitting or elsewhere can do harm.

 

[phoenix001]

I feel like I'm doing everything I can to turn this situation around. My Alk has been stbale now for more than a month, I've fixed the TDS problem and I continue to do my weekly water changes with TMPR making sure the Alk matches the tank. I also run a bag of carbon in a high flow area of the sump and replace bi-weekly. I'm running the polyfilter, but I would tend to agree with you Tom in that if I had as high of copper levels as AWT stated, I would have bigger problems. I have a few SPS pieces that look as good as ever! One question on the GFO - should I be concerned about stripping the tank nutrients too quickly? Also how often should I replace the media - seems like most change it out monthly? I will remove the brass fitting.

 

[phoenix001]

BTW, is there a more reliable lab that can test my water, other than AWT?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Try

www.enclabs.com

 

[john90009]

im having the same problem- tds went to 007 some people have done water changes with tds over that and have successful reefs. it all depends on that that 00* is that is passing through everyones water source is different an have different chemicals in it. i did a waterchange with a new batch of reef crystals in a 75 gallon with a 110 gallon system. with a 12 gallon water change my alk went from 9.5 to 12 after a few hours of the waterchange, then 11.2 then down to 8.5 for some reason. I switched to tmpr which has an alk of 9 and super nice levels and half my corals are shot and not recovering. leads me to belive something else was in the water but wasnt copper- alot of stuff would be reacting bad, inverts fish pods corals. For me it seems like i need to start over- my healthy corals are burning there tips to and with 3 different test kits my alk is 9.5 to 10.2

 

[phoenix001]

Wow, that's expensive - I guess you get what you pay for

I may use them to check the copper at a minimum, but will wait and see what happens with the polyfilter. I did write to AWT regarding the 2500 Mg level measured on my sample, but haven't received a response as of yet.

 

[tmz]

I feel like I'm doing everything I can to turn this situation around. My Alk has been stbale now for more than a month, I've fixed the TDS problem and I continue to do my weekly water changes with TMPR making sure the Alk matches the tank. I also run a bag of carbon in a high flow area of the sump and replace bi-weekly. I'm running the polyfilter, but I would tend to agree with you Tom in that if I had as high of copper levels as AWT stated, I would have bigger problems. I have a few SPS pieces that look as good as ever! One question on the GFO - should I be concerned about stripping the tank nutrients too quickly? Also how often should I replace the media - seems like most change it out monthly? I will remove the brass fitting.

Sounds like you have it under control. It's very hard to say what casues stn in any system but in many cases stn events occur contemporaneously with alkalinity swings.

I'd go easy with the gfo ,monitor the PO4 drop and then add more if needed.Dropping the PO4 too quickly may drop alkalinity a little while enhancing calcification. There are reports of burnt tips from rapid drops.

.Personally in my system , I get good results in terms of nuisance algae limitation and coral health with test results( accuracy is always a question) showing .05ppm PO4( hannah colorimeter) with NO3 at around 2.5ppm(salifert test).

 

[phoenix001]

Something else I overlooked is the fact that my Coraline algae production completely haleted. I never gave it much thought as I prefer the cleaner look of the back glass, so was happy that it just went away. Now, since I've corrected my problems (at least I hope) and replaced my lighting, I'm starting to see some Coraline spots on the back glass. I guess that's a good thing

 

[tmz]

I don't get the 2500mag. It would take some massive dosing to get there. I'd retest this.
Good luck.