How do I tell if my coral is dieing? (Pics attached)

[travis32]

It was an instant ocean master test kit. It came with preportioned packages of powders for each test. The ammonia test came with 2 powders that had to be mixed after the first one was disolved.

It had opaque color coded slides for each test. It also had low and high nitrate or nitrite tests. The alkalinity was tested with a liquid solution. Most of the tests were 3 minutes. The ammonia test was around a 20 to 25 minute test.

It's probably the most accurate and best test kits I've ever used. A few years ago when I had a 29 SW tank. (that I made a ton of mistakes with) I used the test strips. Those were worthless.

This seemed a lot better. I paid way more than I should have for it, but, I didn't have time to order something online.

[travis32]

Maybe I should start a new thread. But additional question.

Based on the parameters so far and the condition of the shrooms. I just ordered replacement bulbs for my light. I bought the compact light used with the tank. One of the bulbs has a little bit of darkness on the end where it plugs into the light, and my friend suggested that considering the light is used, it probably doesn't have updated bulbs.

So I am going to replace all 4 bulbs as the first course of action.

The question I have though, Is I am thinking either next weekend or 2 weeks from now, of adding some reef cleanup crew members. There's some snails and miniatures starfish that came with the rock, but, the sand needs to be churned more.

Any reccomendations on crabs, shrimp, xxxpods, snails, that I could or maybe should be adding at this point to start cleanup of unwanted algae and increase the bioload some?

I won't add any fish until the end of March at the earliest. If I get the existing corals under control I may add more corals instead of fish in a month or two. We'll see. Main question is when should I add more crabs, snails, etc? Or does it matter?

[dudley moray]

Originally Posted by Vin7250

dudley if you read most of the posts in their entirety you would realize taht no one is trying to preach that his system is in a dire state. Just that he did not present enough information to us to help him out. He started this thread on the 17th at 253 and did not post his tank parameters until yesterday at 8pm. People were just trying to play a guessing game as to what was wrong with his tank. Yes in theory taking LR and LS from an established tank is a great way to skip a cycle its no different than moving your tank, but without knowing the state of the original tank how could we say "yea everything is all good". Without the full spectrum of what his systems measurements were how could we as hobbiests tell him truthfully that his system is in great shape? It just doesnt work like that. He is a noob and needs some advice. I do agree that there is no reason to scare the gentleman but to tell him he has no issues with his setup without knowing his information is irresponsible. I challenge you to show me proof that just looking at a fwe photos is giving you enough evidence that his tank a. wasnt going through a cycle and b. was in great shape. I feel you wont be able to do that. We have all made mistakes and we have all gotten advice from this board that is why we are all here. So if everyone went away with a rosey feeling that their methods are perfectly ok, then what is the point of asking the question? He asked because he wanted our opinions.

this is my point exactly no one fully reads the posts then jump to conclusions on what maybe wrong and blast anyone who has something to say that is opposite of their own position i i was directing that comment at posts:4,6 these are pretty hardy creatures that can stand some "abuse" nothing a hobbyist can do is any worse than nature can do and as for parameters not exactly important info at the time, one can have every test known to man and chase numbers for years and still corals will die and or flourish with these types of corals the only thing really necessary to dose is new salt water anyway sorry if i came off rude but comments like post 4 and 6 to me are rude and these know it alls should keep it to them selves!
go for snails but not turbos they are cold water dwellers and will die in a reef tank ceriths trochus or astrea are good choices as for hermit crabs if you deside to use them make sure they are reef safe ie red legs