LONG: Could really use seasoned input on the state of my tank.

SeeCrabRun · 10/19/2016, 09:08 AM

So I'm not exactly happy with one of my tanks, and I don't think they are happy with me. I'd love some input on how to improve things.

The tank was upgraded in size 21 months ago and began its transition from a FOWLR to an LPS tank.

Within 6 months of steady coral-ready parameters it was stocked with Acan Lord, Blastomussa Wellsi, Duncan, Favia, Short Tentacle Fungia; as well as, a Coco Worm, Gorgonians(NPS and PS) and 2 branching Montis. All spaced out to not overwhelm the system. All bought from reputable sources, dipped and dipped again.

Everything flourished and grew. New heads appeared and colors were good. After about 8 months, things seemed to slow down. No new heads and everything seemed at a standstill.

Then disaster hit. Apparently a bobbit worm came into the system on a coral(as I used dry rock only when I established the FOWLR) and got to the size it was moving and even eating on some corals. Or maybe it was just tearing the flesh by accident while it moved them. It took a couple weeks to realize what exactly was happening and in that time I lost the Coco Worm, 1 Fungia, and my beloved dragonet.

I had to tear up the display to get out the rock that the worm was apparently living it. Broke it up with a hammer to make sure it really was in there, and pulled out a foot long worm. YUCK!

After that the tank had to recover some. I did not put the broken rock into the system, so the system suddenly lost a large chunk of live rock. In the mean time, 2 of the corals started fighting and so they all got pretty irritated, stayed mostly withdrawn. Some of the Acan Lords died off and some of the Blasto Wellsi, 1 of the Montis died and the other suffered half loss.

That was over the summer. Things have finally settled down, the remaining corals have begun to heal and everyone seems to stay out, for the most part. They still seem quick to withdraw, especially the Duncan.

Here's where it gets really weird. For the past couple months, the Duncan seems to withdraw either completely, all heads, or mostly and you can just see a few tentacles from the center. The weird part is it seems to happen at nearly the exact same time every day!

I've tried to determine what it could be, but nothing I observe seems obvious or consistent. Still, every day it withdraws somewhere between 12:30 and 2:30 in the afternoon. Some days it isn't until 1:30 or 2 and usually lasts for about an hour, sometimes 2. Then they go back like nothing really happened.

So to conclude, I've had no growth at all in an entire year and what I'm looking for help with is getting my tank to flourish again. Making sure everyone is truly getting what they need, and that I'm doing everything I can to make them happy.

Thanks in advance

ReefsandGeeks · 10/19/2016, 10:08 AM

I don't know where the source of your issue is, however whenever I'm having long periods of no growth or just plain blandness, I do a large water change of about 40%. I've noticed that this kick starts my coral and they all seem to wake up and grow/color up a bit better. Even though all of the paramater's I'm able to check check out, there must be something I can't test for that's depleated, or maybe something detrimental has built up in the system. I actually just did a big change yesterday. I typically do it once every year or so, more frequent if I see an issue that I just can't seem to get a grip on.

kelp47 · 10/19/2016, 10:17 AM

This may be a stretch, but what's the temp in your tank? I know mine peaks about the time you mention your duncan closes up. I live in Alabama and am trying to avoid a chiller, so I set my light cycle to take a break mid-day when the house gets warm.

SeeCrabRun · 10/19/2016, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devastator007

I don't know where the source of your issue is, however whenever I'm having long periods of no growth or just plain blandness, I do a large water change of about 40%. I've noticed that this kick starts my coral and they all seem to wake up and grow/color up a bit better. Even though all of the paramater's I'm able to check check out, there must be something I can't test for that's depleated, or maybe something detrimental has built up in the system. I actually just did a big change yesterday. I typically do it once every year or so, more frequent if I see an issue that I just can't seem to get a grip on.

I actually just did a 40-45% water change 2 weeks ago yesterday, thinking it may be toxins still in the system from the fighting. Haven't seen any improvement yet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelp47

This may be a stretch, but what's the temp in your tank? I know mine peaks about the time you mention your duncan closes up. I live in Alabama and am trying to avoid a chiller, so I set my light cycle to take a break mid-day when the house gets warm.

I'm also in Alabama. I keep my tank temp at 78, I have a fan that kicks on if it goes up more than .2 degrees and that helps a lot. I was able to make it all summer without a chiller thanks to the fan and an auto top off. It's a fan as wide as the tank and blows right across the top.

JoeTSI · 10/19/2016, 11:51 AM

Alabama here as well (a trifecta!) and wonder what your parameters are, specifically Ammonia and Nitrates.

SeeCrabRun · 10/19/2016, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeTSI

Alabama here as well (a trifecta!) and wonder what your parameters are, specifically Ammonia and Nitrates.

They always test 0 (or undetectable) as the tank has a dedicated refugium. I can't keep any fast growing algae in it or it dies off, so it doesn't have much excess nutrients.

BTW This tank has no fish. It only housed the dragonet, who was lost about 7 months ago. So it has been only coral, 2 blue leg hermits, and a few snails since then.

JoeTSI · 10/19/2016, 01:37 PM

Your tank may be so low in nutrients that it is hurting your corals health.

SeeCrabRun · 10/19/2016, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeTSI

Your tank may be so low in nutrients that it is hurting your corals health.

But I feed them. I use zeovit additives and frozen food. I quit dosing the tank with phyto when the dragonet and coco worm died as none of the LPS are filter feeders, as far as I know.

richardcaron · 10/19/2016, 02:25 PM

Light? bulbs could be in need of replacement, I would do another 50% change test water with new test kits and start some carbon

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

SeeCrabRun · 10/19/2016, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richardcaron

Light? bulbs could be in need of replacement, I would do another 50% change test water with new test kits and start some carbon

Kessil is the light. Can definitely do another big change this weekend, but I'm not sure it'll help.

10/19/2016, 09:08 AM	#1
SeeCrabRun Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 552	LONG: Could really use seasoned input on the state of my tank. So I'm not exactly happy with one of my tanks, and I don't think they are happy with me. I'd love some input on how to improve things. The tank was upgraded in size 21 months ago and began its transition from a FOWLR to an LPS tank. Within 6 months of steady coral-ready parameters it was stocked with Acan Lord, Blastomussa Wellsi, Duncan, Favia, Short Tentacle Fungia; as well as, a Coco Worm, Gorgonians(NPS and PS) and 2 branching Montis. All spaced out to not overwhelm the system. All bought from reputable sources, dipped and dipped again. Everything flourished and grew. New heads appeared and colors were good. After about 8 months, things seemed to slow down. No new heads and everything seemed at a standstill. Then disaster hit. Apparently a bobbit worm came into the system on a coral(as I used dry rock only when I established the FOWLR) and got to the size it was moving and even eating on some corals. Or maybe it was just tearing the flesh by accident while it moved them. It took a couple weeks to realize what exactly was happening and in that time I lost the Coco Worm, 1 Fungia, and my beloved dragonet. I had to tear up the display to get out the rock that the worm was apparently living it. Broke it up with a hammer to make sure it really was in there, and pulled out a foot long worm. YUCK! After that the tank had to recover some. I did not put the broken rock into the system, so the system suddenly lost a large chunk of live rock. In the mean time, 2 of the corals started fighting and so they all got pretty irritated, stayed mostly withdrawn. Some of the Acan Lords died off and some of the Blasto Wellsi, 1 of the Montis died and the other suffered half loss. That was over the summer. Things have finally settled down, the remaining corals have begun to heal and everyone seems to stay out, for the most part. They still seem quick to withdraw, especially the Duncan. Here's where it gets really weird. For the past couple months, the Duncan seems to withdraw either completely, all heads, or mostly and you can just see a few tentacles from the center. The weird part is it seems to happen at nearly the exact same time every day! I've tried to determine what it could be, but nothing I observe seems obvious or consistent. Still, every day it withdraws somewhere between 12:30 and 2:30 in the afternoon. Some days it isn't until 1:30 or 2 and usually lasts for about an hour, sometimes 2. Then they go back like nothing really happened. So to conclude, I've had no growth at all in an entire year and what I'm looking for help with is getting my tank to flourish again. Making sure everyone is truly getting what they need, and that I'm doing everything I can to make them happy. Thanks in advance __________________ Sara ~ Perpetually tinkering with my tanks.

10/19/2016, 10:17 AM	#3
kelp47 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Central Alabama Posts: 473	This may be a stretch, but what's the temp in your tank? I know mine peaks about the time you mention your duncan closes up. I live in Alabama and am trying to avoid a chiller, so I set my light cycle to take a break mid-day when the house gets warm. __________________ Kelley 75 gal mixed reef

10/19/2016, 11:51 AM	#5
JoeTSI Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 257	Alabama here as well (a trifecta!) and wonder what your parameters are, specifically Ammonia and Nitrates. __________________ Joe 210 Gallon; Vortech MP40x2; Maxspect Gyre 280; 2xKessil AP700; Tunze ATO with custom 15 gallon acrylic top off tank; BRS Dual Media Reactor

10/19/2016, 01:37 PM	#7
JoeTSI Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 257	Your tank may be so low in nutrients that it is hurting your corals health. __________________ Joe 210 Gallon; Vortech MP40x2; Maxspect Gyre 280; 2xKessil AP700; Tunze ATO with custom 15 gallon acrylic top off tank; BRS Dual Media Reactor

10/19/2016, 10:08 AM	#2
ReefsandGeeks Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,708	I don't know where the source of your issue is, however whenever I'm having long periods of no growth or just plain blandness, I do a large water change of about 40%. I've noticed that this kick starts my coral and they all seem to wake up and grow/color up a bit better. Even though all of the paramater's I'm able to check check out, there must be something I can't test for that's depleated, or maybe something detrimental has built up in the system. I actually just did a big change yesterday. I typically do it once every year or so, more frequent if I see an issue that I just can't seem to get a grip on.

10/19/2016, 02:25 PM	#9
richardcaron Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 7	Light? bulbs could be in need of replacement, I would do another 50% change test water with new test kits and start some carbon Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk