dying corals

costellow · 03/10/2010, 06:04 PM

I have a 15G

I have a bubble coral and Candy Cane coral that have been slowly receding for the last 2 months. Can this increase my nitrates?

travis32 · 03/10/2010, 06:08 PM

what are your water parameters? Ammonia, nitrates, nitrites? Salinity? Alkalinity? Calcium?

Hard to tell why they are dieing without more info.

costellow · 03/10/2010, 06:10 PM

I am pretty sure they are dying because of inadequate lighting. Params were all normal untill they started doing bad then nitrates started going up to 5-10-20. I can't get level down and I thought the cause might be the receding coral tissue. I only have one fish.

costellow · 03/10/2010, 06:11 PM

I'm basically wondering if the dying corals are increasing my nitrates--if so I'll give up and get rid of them.

AquaReeferMan · 03/10/2010, 07:41 PM

Im sure its due to the bioload of the fish verses the small die off of the corals.

costellow · 03/10/2010, 07:48 PM

But I only have one fish.

jenjen · 03/10/2010, 07:51 PM

I would doubt it's a dying coral, raising nitrates.

What fish do you have? And how long have you had it?

What are your parameters (as listed above), and what filtration is on the tank? Do you have a sump/fuge?

costellow · 03/11/2010, 06:29 PM

I have pygmy angel--really little. Had him 6 mos.
Params are:
SG 1023
temp 79-80
ph 7.8-8
nitrites and ammonia 0
nitrates 5-20

My HOB was filled with LR rubble for about a year, then nitrates started rising. After talking to LFS they thought I should check it out--the rubble was all slimy and smelly and stuff growing in their so I tossed it thinking that was the answer. I put the carbon and meshthing back in. That was 2 months ago--still having the problem. No protein Skimmer but jeez, I only have one fish and 17 lbs of LR. So I thought the only thing left that could possible produce protein is a dying coral.

costellow · 03/11/2010, 06:30 PM

so should I get rid of them?

jenjen · 03/11/2010, 06:34 PM

How much & what are you feeding the fish?

Breathe13stars · 03/11/2010, 09:17 PM

what kind of lights do you have? Both species require moderate to high light. Do you feed your corals? Also you might want to try rasing your PH to around the 8.4 area, another thing is are you maintaining your calcium levels? As far as nitrates go have you just recently started having problems or have you been battling it? Nano tanks can be a pain, the lesser the volume the more the problems.

jenjen · 03/11/2010, 10:40 PM

I'll go out on a limb and say the nitrate issues are likely related to the fish, and what/how much you feed. He's a pretty big fish for a tank that size.

The corals could be a light issue, or possibly the fish is nipping at them - angels (even the tiny ones) are known to like corals.

I'd be inclined to remove the fish, then get nitrate under control (couple of water changes), then add one small fish to the system (ie: tailspot blenny, or small goby). And if lighting is an issue, either replace the lighting or trade out the corals for ones with lower light requirements (ie: zoa's).

SATAN FISH · 03/11/2010, 10:53 PM

I would say your salinity is low at 1.023. Sea water is 1.026. Also, as was mentioned, PH should be 8.3-8.4. I would do a good 20% water change every week with a coral formulated salt. Not that it is the best but, I use reef crystals. I don't think the corals dying off are causing high nitrates. The coral tissue is made up mostly of water. There really is not much to deteriorate on those types of corals to mess with the water quality.

JLAURIA751 · 03/11/2010, 11:02 PM

What lighting do you have? also I would be more worried about the fact that your coral is dying not what is causing your nitrates to go up. your nitrates are at an acceptable level and certainly not high enough to negatively affect your coral. What is your alkalinity at, because I believe alkalinity is more important than PH.

costellow · 03/12/2010, 09:33 AM

I feed once a day either a small slice of frozen brine or froz. spirulina mix, or flake. He eats all of it. I feed my sun coral 2-3 times per week at the same time. He really is small maybe 1 inch.

My lighting: 2 18W 50/50 PC Sitting 4 inches above water. The tank is a hex so it's tall and slim.

17lbs LR, HOB filter with carbon pad that I change every 2 weeks. And now I've added Algon and Nitrates went down to 5 in 2 days.

I really don't like the tank setup I have but it's what I bought to start this hobby. Now I am saving up for something to transfer everything.

costellow · 03/12/2010, 09:34 AM

I don't have an alk test. LFS said it was 11???

Breathe13stars · 03/12/2010, 12:17 PM

The reason I believe your bubble and candy cane corals are dying is because of insufficient lighting, which that is not going to happen over night like you said they have been slowly receding for the last 2 months. Your sun coral on the other hand is a very low light coral. Is it safe to say your sun is still doing great? Also in order for these corals to grow they need calcium to calcify their skeletons, which should stay in a constant range of around 450ppm. "Stony" type corals thrive in constant stability I agree with the angel might be nipping at them, there reef safe but with caution. You could always do a soft coral tank mushrooms, zoanthids, etc.. . Dont give up though you live and you learn, in this hobby IMO the best ways to learn are from reading and from experience.

03/10/2010, 06:04 PM	#1
costellow Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 231	dying corals I have a 15G I have a bubble coral and Candy Cane coral that have been slowly receding for the last 2 months. Can this increase my nitrates?

03/10/2010, 07:41 PM	#5
AquaReeferMan Got Reef? Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Under the Sea, Pa Posts: 4,593	Im sure its due to the bioload of the fish verses the small die off of the corals. __________________ Couple SPS/Zoanthid tanks and a couple of FW planted tanks. Current Tank Info: 5 pieces of glass with some silicone and plastic frames holding them together

03/10/2010, 07:51 PM	#7
jenjen Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Langley BC, Canada Posts: 1,710	I would doubt it's a dying coral, raising nitrates. What fish do you have? And how long have you had it? What are your parameters (as listed above), and what filtration is on the tank? Do you have a sump/fuge? __________________ "Challenges forge the greatness in you" Current Tank Info: 180gal softy reef (Apr '09)

03/11/2010, 06:34 PM	#10
jenjen Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Langley BC, Canada Posts: 1,710	How much & what are you feeding the fish? __________________ "Challenges forge the greatness in you" Current Tank Info: 180gal softy reef (Apr '09)

03/11/2010, 10:40 PM	#12
jenjen Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Langley BC, Canada Posts: 1,710	I'll go out on a limb and say the nitrate issues are likely related to the fish, and what/how much you feed. He's a pretty big fish for a tank that size. The corals could be a light issue, or possibly the fish is nipping at them - angels (even the tiny ones) are known to like corals. I'd be inclined to remove the fish, then get nitrate under control (couple of water changes), then add one small fish to the system (ie: tailspot blenny, or small goby). And if lighting is an issue, either replace the lighting or trade out the corals for ones with lower light requirements (ie: zoa's). __________________ "Challenges forge the greatness in you" Current Tank Info: 180gal softy reef (Apr '09)

03/10/2010, 06:08 PM	#2
travis32 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: West Fargo, ND Posts: 2,161	what are your water parameters? Ammonia, nitrates, nitrites? Salinity? Alkalinity? Calcium? Hard to tell why they are dieing without more info.

03/10/2010, 06:10 PM	#3
costellow Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 231	I am pretty sure they are dying because of inadequate lighting. Params were all normal untill they started doing bad then nitrates started going up to 5-10-20. I can't get level down and I thought the cause might be the receding coral tissue. I only have one fish.

03/10/2010, 06:11 PM	#4
costellow Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 231	I'm basically wondering if the dying corals are increasing my nitrates--if so I'll give up and get rid of them.

03/10/2010, 07:48 PM	#6
costellow Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 231	But I only have one fish.

03/11/2010, 06:29 PM	#8
costellow Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 231	I have pygmy angel--really little. Had him 6 mos. Params are: SG 1023 temp 79-80 ph 7.8-8 nitrites and ammonia 0 nitrates 5-20 My HOB was filled with LR rubble for about a year, then nitrates started rising. After talking to LFS they thought I should check it out--the rubble was all slimy and smelly and stuff growing in their so I tossed it thinking that was the answer. I put the carbon and meshthing back in. That was 2 months ago--still having the problem. No protein Skimmer but jeez, I only have one fish and 17 lbs of LR. So I thought the only thing left that could possible produce protein is a dying coral.

03/11/2010, 06:30 PM	#9
costellow Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 231	so should I get rid of them?

03/11/2010, 09:17 PM	#11
Breathe13stars Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Angelo, Texas Posts: 85	what kind of lights do you have? Both species require moderate to high light. Do you feed your corals? Also you might want to try rasing your PH to around the 8.4 area, another thing is are you maintaining your calcium levels? As far as nitrates go have you just recently started having problems or have you been battling it? Nano tanks can be a pain, the lesser the volume the more the problems.

03/11/2010, 10:53 PM	#13
SATAN FISH Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Denver CO Posts: 206	I would say your salinity is low at 1.023. Sea water is 1.026. Also, as was mentioned, PH should be 8.3-8.4. I would do a good 20% water change every week with a coral formulated salt. Not that it is the best but, I use reef crystals. I don't think the corals dying off are causing high nitrates. The coral tissue is made up mostly of water. There really is not much to deteriorate on those types of corals to mess with the water quality. __________________ _____________________________________________________ 125gal 6ft tank, 20gal refugium, ETSS sump bud 60 250w MH 15k x 3 39w T5 actinic x 8 170lbs live rock Pacific blue tang Yellow tang Ocellaris clowns, one black, one orange Six line wrasse Fire fish Fire shrimp Royal Gramma Purple psudochromis Starry Blenny Mostly LPS and softies. One yellow turbinaria Current Tank Info: Reef tank going since June 09

03/11/2010, 11:02 PM	#14
JLAURIA751 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 517	What lighting do you have? also I would be more worried about the fact that your coral is dying not what is causing your nitrates to go up. your nitrates are at an acceptable level and certainly not high enough to negatively affect your coral. What is your alkalinity at, because I believe alkalinity is more important than PH.

03/12/2010, 09:33 AM	#15
costellow Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 231	I feed once a day either a small slice of frozen brine or froz. spirulina mix, or flake. He eats all of it. I feed my sun coral 2-3 times per week at the same time. He really is small maybe 1 inch. My lighting: 2 18W 50/50 PC Sitting 4 inches above water. The tank is a hex so it's tall and slim. 17lbs LR, HOB filter with carbon pad that I change every 2 weeks. And now I've added Algon and Nitrates went down to 5 in 2 days. I really don't like the tank setup I have but it's what I bought to start this hobby. Now I am saving up for something to transfer everything.

03/12/2010, 09:34 AM	#16
costellow Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 231	I don't have an alk test. LFS said it was 11???

03/12/2010, 12:17 PM	#17
Breathe13stars Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Angelo, Texas Posts: 85	The reason I believe your bubble and candy cane corals are dying is because of insufficient lighting, which that is not going to happen over night like you said they have been slowly receding for the last 2 months. Your sun coral on the other hand is a very low light coral. Is it safe to say your sun is still doing great? Also in order for these corals to grow they need calcium to calcify their skeletons, which should stay in a constant range of around 450ppm. "Stony" type corals thrive in constant stability I agree with the angel might be nipping at them, there reef safe but with caution. You could always do a soft coral tank mushrooms, zoanthids, etc.. . Dont give up though you live and you learn, in this hobby IMO the best ways to learn are from reading and from experience.