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Can't keep SPS and some LPS alive??

9supratt4

9supratt4

Why can't I keep some corals alive? Acros, Millies, Birdsnest, Monti Caps, Gonis, Galaxea...can't keep them alive. Zoas, Acans, Hammers, Favia...all fine. Light is set correctly with each coral placed under the correct PAR. Water tests are as follows:

Calcium - 434
Alk - 9.3
Magnesium - 1270
PH - 8.3
Nitrate - 12.1
Phosphate - .21
Salinity - 1.025

What am I missing here?
 
DEL

DEL

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High nitrate and high phosphate is what in thinking, and low mag. I'm at alk 8.2, cal 468. Mag 1547. Also, are you dosing ?
 
DEL

DEL

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Moderator
What par are you putting what sps?
 
akma

akma

NJRC Member
9supratt4 said:
Why can't I keep some corals alive? Acros, Millies, Birdsnest, Monti Caps, Gonis, Galaxea...can't keep them alive. Zoas, Acans, Hammers, Favia...all fine. Light is set correctly with each coral placed under the correct PAR. Water tests are as follows:

Calcium - 434
Alk - 9.3
Magnesium - 1270
PH - 8.3
Nitrate - 12.1
Phosphate - .21
Salinity - 1.025

What am I missing here?
Click to expand...
Nitrate I try to keep around 10, phosphate about .05.

Alk I personally keep around 7.6 because that's the alk of my salt.


Have a video of tank? How is your flow?
 
redfishbluefish

redfishbluefish

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Steve, I see nothing in your numbers that would cause an issue with Coral dying. Some have mentioned nitrates....I've seen tanks at over 50, and still thriving. Now some SPS are sensitive, but you shouldn't be seeing mass death.

I'm more interested in tank temperature and lighting. What temp do you keep your tank at and if you can, verify with a second thermometer. As far as lights, I'm thinking you're potentially cooking them with too high a PAR. What lights, what settings, what cycle and if you have PAR, what PAR? The last thing is flow....enough powerheads?....you can never have too many.

If I remember correctly, I think you're up north somewhere. If you're willing to come to Sayreville, I can give you a bunch of stuff....nothing fancy...and I don't even know the names, but you're welcome to take whatever I have....fresh cut. I do have disclaimers.... I've had aiptasia....haven't seen since Filefish added....I have bubble algae as well.
 
9supratt4

9supratt4

DEL said:
High nitrate and high phosphate is what in thinking, and low mag. I'm at alk 8.2, cal 468. Mag 1547. Also, are you dosing ?
Click to expand...
I dose All-for-Reef when needed. I may have to dose mag alone to increase it if it doesn't increase with next water change.
 
9supratt4

9supratt4

redfishbluefish said:
Steve, I see nothing in your numbers that would cause an issue with Coral dying. Some have mentioned nitrates....I've seen tanks at over 50, and still thriving. Now some SPS are sensitive, but you shouldn't be seeing mass death.

I'm more interested in tank temperature and lighting. What temp do you keep your tank at and if you can, verify with a second thermometer. As far as lights, I'm thinking you're potentially cooking them with too high a PAR. What lights, what settings, what cycle and if you have PAR, what PAR? The last thing is flow....enough powerheads?....you can never have too many.

If I remember correctly, I think you're up north somewhere. If you're willing to come to Sayreville, I can give you a bunch of stuff....nothing fancy...and I don't even know the names, but you're welcome to take whatever I have....fresh cut. I do have disclaimers.... I've had aiptasia....haven't seen since Filefish added....I have bubble algae as well.
Click to expand...
Hey Paul...been a while! I secretly set up a new tank about a year ago. Haven't posted about it much here. I never had issues in my tank 20 years ago, so just aggravating that I am having problems now. lol

Tank runs between 77 and 78.5 depending on the heating cycle I test at. Light...I'm running a single ReeFi Uno 2.0. PAR on the sandbed is about 100-125. Top of rocks about 325. Flow...besides the Mightyjet XL running at 80%, I also have a single MP40 running around 2800gph. Waiting for another ecotech sale to get a second MP40 for the other side.

And heck of a memory...I'm up in Roxbury. Appreciate the offer and will let you know if I'm ever down that way. As for bubble algae....I have it too. Aiptasia yea...just had that pop back up after adding new corals. Had it eradicated from berghias. I'm actually about 6 months or so away from breeding berghias. Currently growing aiptasia in the basement.
 
The Gooch

The Gooch

NJRC Member
Verify your salinity with a Tropic Marin glass hydrometer, you would be amazed how bad refractometers and digital devices can be, If you want a definitive answer it’s worth sending out an ICP test. Ati oes for $45 would be worthwhile. This also checks your rodi water.
 
Adam L

Adam L

NJRC Member
Stability is the key. Your parameters are in line with lots of successful reefers keeping SPS, gonnies, etc.. Phosphate a bit high, so you could try some phosban/ferric oxide in a reactor. What's your water volume? I found it hard to keep SPS, gonnies, etc. in my old 30 gal AIO, but after moving to 130 gal tank it was much easier after a year or so. I would also recommend getting rid of most if not all softies other than mushrooms. I've read they give off toxins that make it more difficult to keep the types of corals you are seeking to keep.
 
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EZreefin

EZreefin

NJRC Member
Do you make your own RO water? If so, how are all of your filters? What is the TDS coming out of it going into the holding tank?
 
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