how long before adding corals?

nosecondz · 08/01/2009, 09:27 AM

Hey guys ive had my 29g cycled for about two months now, i started with cured rock, my water specs have been good for awhile now, ive tried putting in some small zoo frags and leathers and the are pretty much dead(never opened up) and the leathers look like they are dieing, did i put them in two early! i still get small diatom blooms here and there and had a problem with my salinity being too high due to a bad hydrometer. where should i start?

scuba guy ron · 08/01/2009, 09:29 AM

can you list all your perams

Nikee1404 · 08/01/2009, 09:32 AM

You need to invest in a refractometer if you're having problems with your hydrometer. If you need a cheap, temporary solution you could go to a friend or a LFS and have them test your salinity and note the difference between your hydrometer and their refractometer. My Deep Six hydrometer is off by -.002.

Dingo44 · 08/01/2009, 11:39 AM

Yup, my hydrometer is off by +.002. Those things are sketchy. I have some softies and a few shrimp and they don't appreciate the swings in salinity. As soon as I get an ATO I'm gonna buy a nice expensive refractometer. It sounds like your tank might still be cycling, given you've still got diatom blooms going on. But it's probably the salinity swings that got your corals.

tspors · 08/01/2009, 05:05 PM

To add to the questions, do you have a CUC in the tank yet? If not add them first. If so I would wait another month also before adding corals.

sedor · 08/01/2009, 05:44 PM

Without getting into everything about getting test kits, dosing bla bla bla I successfully kept zoos and softies and a couple LPS in my nano just by using reef crystals. It has certain additives in it that will help maintain your water parameters. Of course there are better salts out there just make sure you are using a reef salt. I've also used regular instant ocean, but my corals never did as well and stopped growing when I used it.

Good luck and don't let a couple mistakes discourage you. As with everything, practice makes perfect.

badwrasse · 08/01/2009, 05:55 PM

did you use tap water to start this tank?

like already said what are your perameters?

how long have the leather and zoe's been closed or dead?

nosecondz · 08/02/2009, 12:08 PM

no i started with premixed ro/do salt water from the lfs.

Specific gravity: 1.026 sg
pH: 8.6
Calcium: 460 ppm
Alkalinity: 8 - 9 dKH
Nitrate: Undetectable
Temperature: 81-84°

and its been about a week-week and a half, ive had some algea outbreaks and like i said my tank is new. i added the cured live rock and one rock had a single zoanthid that had popped up a couple days after everything settled so i waited 45days before i added a couple $5 zoo frags and they never opened so i figured the timing wasnt right, a week later a friend brought some leathers, zoos and ricordia over from his established tank, and they looked good the first day he put them in but it only took a day before they looked like they were dieing.

Khai · 08/02/2009, 12:55 PM

Your pH is kinda on the high side, if it stays constant though, this might not be the problem...and what do you mean by 81-84? Rapid temp swings are kinda bad.

scuba guy ron · 08/02/2009, 01:55 PM

you should add a phosphate test to the list. IMO yourtank shouldnt go past 82 degrees

sedor · 08/02/2009, 02:06 PM

RO water from the LFS can also be very bad. Ask them to test it for you to prove there is no nitrates or phosphates in it. A lot of times they don't even use the DI portion of an RODI filter, they just pass it through some RO prefilters and sell it as pure water.

Best option would be to spend $100 on an RODI unit you can use at your house. It will end up saving you a lot of money in the end.

Aquaman777 · 08/02/2009, 02:37 PM

I had my first coral in the tank after 2 weeks. That was just me though.

nosecondz · 08/02/2009, 07:54 PM

K. I'll get it checked out. I did buy an rodi unit!

Nikee1404 · 08/02/2009, 07:58 PM

Acceptable pH is from 7.8 to 8.3. I'd shoot for a pH of 8.2-8.3.

Texxxx · 08/02/2009, 09:57 PM

Did you acclimate the corals before you put them in the tank?

dvmkv · 08/02/2009, 10:21 PM

Yoru should keep your temp at a steady rate, I keep mine at 77 and my corals grow like crazy

badwrasse · 08/02/2009, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aquaman777
I had my first coral in the tank after 2 weeks. That was just me though.

and thats just plain scary

badwrasse · 08/02/2009, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Texxxx
Did you acclimate the corals before you put them in the tank?

+1

nmbeg · 08/02/2009, 11:26 PM

what about your lighting?

Plankt0s · 08/02/2009, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ryandlf
RO water from the LFS can also be very bad. Ask them to test it for you to prove there is no nitrates or phosphates in it. A lot of times they don't even use the DI portion of an RODI filter, they just pass it through some RO prefilters and sell it as pure water.

Best option would be to spend $100 on an RODI unit you can use at your house. It will end up saving you a lot of money in the end.

Good advise, there is a guy that posted in the DIY forum about his experience with a LFS and bad RO.

badwrasse · 08/02/2009, 11:56 PM

I bough water from a lfs one time and it smelled like (chlorine didnt use) I made them give me my money back and bought an RO/DI from someplace else.

nosecondz · 08/03/2009, 09:34 PM

ok, so answers- the temp is around 82 most of the time.. i have a t5x4 24w set up. i just went to my lfs to get my water tested.
salinity 1.023
nitrite 0
nitrate 0
ph 8.0
phosphate 0.25
calcium 400ppm
alk 11.2 dkh

well what do you guys think!

Hdhuntr01 · 08/03/2009, 10:02 PM

Seems to me you might want to get your temps down a few degrees and try to stay between 78 - 80 but not higher than 80. Also get good test kits, I like Salifert and definitely invest in a refractometer. You can buy them off ebay for few bucks...

I put corals in my tank two weeks after I set it up and never had prroblems. Once the cycle is finished it is all about good consistent water parameters, Do not stock the entire tank overnight - buy one or two corals a week and it should be easy as long as you monitor the water parameters.

Good luck...

PRDubois · 08/03/2009, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hdhuntr01
Seems to me you might want to get your temps down a few degrees and try to stay between 78 - 80 but not higher than 80. Also get good test kits, I like Salifert and definitely invest in a refractometer. You can buy them off ebay for few bucks...

I put corals in my tank two weeks after I set it up and never had prroblems. Once the cycle is finished it is all about good consistent water parameters, Do not stock the entire tank overnight - buy one or two corals a week and it should be easy as long as you monitor the water parameters.

Good luck...

+2

nosecondz · 08/03/2009, 10:53 PM

It's is hot out here in as I allways keep my house at 78. I just put 2 computer fans in the sump area. Anyone have any ideas other than a chiller

08/01/2009, 09:27 AM	#1
nosecondz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 74	how long before adding corals? Hey guys ive had my 29g cycled for about two months now, i started with cured rock, my water specs have been good for awhile now, ive tried putting in some small zoo frags and leathers and the are pretty much dead(never opened up) and the leathers look like they are dieing, did i put them in two early! i still get small diatom blooms here and there and had a problem with my salinity being too high due to a bad hydrometer. where should i start? __________________ Go Ravens!!! Current Tank Info: 29G,10G sump, 4x24 t5.

08/01/2009, 09:29 AM	#2
scuba guy ron Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 1,455	can you list all your perams __________________ Ron Current Tank Info: 6yr old 37 Gallon Column mixed reef

08/01/2009, 11:39 AM	#4
Dingo44 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 219	Yup, my hydrometer is off by +.002. Those things are sketchy. I have some softies and a few shrimp and they don't appreciate the swings in salinity. As soon as I get an ATO I'm gonna buy a nice expensive refractometer. It sounds like your tank might still be cycling, given you've still got diatom blooms going on. But it's probably the salinity swings that got your corals. __________________ Make it idiot proof and someone will make a better idiot. Current Tank Info: 40G, 20g sump, CPR overflow, Softies and LPS, 2 O. clowns

08/01/2009, 05:05 PM	#5
tspors Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Appleton, WI. USA Posts: 774	To add to the questions, do you have a CUC in the tank yet? If not add them first. If so I would wait another month also before adding corals. __________________ Everything is Good with Moderation. Current Tank Info: 150 Gal Oceanic, 30g Sump, Gen-X PCX-150 2250 gph, Red Sea Clasic Turbo Skimmer, 18w Turbo Twist UV, Ocean Clear Filter w/live rock, Several Buckets,

08/01/2009, 05:44 PM	#6
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	Without getting into everything about getting test kits, dosing bla bla bla I successfully kept zoos and softies and a couple LPS in my nano just by using reef crystals. It has certain additives in it that will help maintain your water parameters. Of course there are better salts out there just make sure you are using a reef salt. I've also used regular instant ocean, but my corals never did as well and stopped growing when I used it. Good luck and don't let a couple mistakes discourage you. As with everything, practice makes perfect. __________________ Ryan

08/01/2009, 09:32 AM	#3
Nikee1404 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 208	You need to invest in a refractometer if you're having problems with your hydrometer. If you need a cheap, temporary solution you could go to a friend or a LFS and have them test your salinity and note the difference between your hydrometer and their refractometer. My Deep Six hydrometer is off by -.002.

08/01/2009, 05:55 PM	#7
badwrasse Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: St. louis Posts: 1,203	did you use tap water to start this tank? like already said what are your perameters? how long have the leather and zoe's been closed or dead? __________________ GOT CRABS? Current Tank Info: 90gal RR,rock wall in progress, MRC sump, reef octopus XP2000I skimmer, marineland pro lighting 2-150w MH 4-54w T5's, hydor wavemaker with 2 #4 controllable pumps, and QuietOne 4000HH return pump.

08/02/2009, 12:08 PM	#8
nosecondz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 74	no i started with premixed ro/do salt water from the lfs. Specific gravity: 1.026 sg pH: 8.6 Calcium: 460 ppm Alkalinity: 8 - 9 dKH Nitrate: Undetectable Temperature: 81-84° and its been about a week-week and a half, ive had some algea outbreaks and like i said my tank is new. i added the cured live rock and one rock had a single zoanthid that had popped up a couple days after everything settled so i waited 45days before i added a couple $5 zoo frags and they never opened so i figured the timing wasnt right, a week later a friend brought some leathers, zoos and ricordia over from his established tank, and they looked good the first day he put them in but it only took a day before they looked like they were dieing. __________________ Go Ravens!!! Current Tank Info: 29G,10G sump, 4x24 t5.

08/02/2009, 12:55 PM	#9
Khai Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 313	Your pH is kinda on the high side, if it stays constant though, this might not be the problem...and what do you mean by 81-84? Rapid temp swings are kinda bad.

08/02/2009, 01:55 PM	#10
scuba guy ron Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 1,455	you should add a phosphate test to the list. IMO yourtank shouldnt go past 82 degrees __________________ Ron Current Tank Info: 6yr old 37 Gallon Column mixed reef

08/02/2009, 02:06 PM	#11
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	RO water from the LFS can also be very bad. Ask them to test it for you to prove there is no nitrates or phosphates in it. A lot of times they don't even use the DI portion of an RODI filter, they just pass it through some RO prefilters and sell it as pure water. Best option would be to spend $100 on an RODI unit you can use at your house. It will end up saving you a lot of money in the end. __________________ Ryan

08/02/2009, 02:37 PM	#12
Aquaman777 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Winona, Mn Posts: 50	I had my first coral in the tank after 2 weeks. That was just me though.

08/02/2009, 07:54 PM	#13
nosecondz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 74	K. I'll get it checked out. I did buy an rodi unit! __________________ Go Ravens!!! Current Tank Info: 29G,10G sump, 4x24 t5.

08/02/2009, 07:58 PM	#14
Nikee1404 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 208	Acceptable pH is from 7.8 to 8.3. I'd shoot for a pH of 8.2-8.3.

08/02/2009, 09:57 PM	#15
Texxxx Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 172	Did you acclimate the corals before you put them in the tank? __________________ Tank: 125gal money pit Current Tank Info: 125gal, 55 sump with fug, 3x250MH, 2x60" VHO, Euro-Reef RC250 skimmer, Ca reactor, ATO Kalk, 2500gph closed loop

08/02/2009, 10:21 PM	#16
dvmkv Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: clarksville,TN Posts: 171	Yoru should keep your temp at a steady rate, I keep mine at 77 and my corals grow like crazy

08/02/2009, 11:26 PM	#19
nmbeg Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 894	what about your lighting?

08/02/2009, 11:56 PM	#21
badwrasse Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: St. louis Posts: 1,203	I bough water from a lfs one time and it smelled like (chlorine didnt use) I made them give me my money back and bought an RO/DI from someplace else. __________________ GOT CRABS? Current Tank Info: 90gal RR,rock wall in progress, MRC sump, reef octopus XP2000I skimmer, marineland pro lighting 2-150w MH 4-54w T5's, hydor wavemaker with 2 #4 controllable pumps, and QuietOne 4000HH return pump.

08/03/2009, 09:34 PM	#22
nosecondz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 74	ok, so answers- the temp is around 82 most of the time.. i have a t5x4 24w set up. i just went to my lfs to get my water tested. salinity 1.023 nitrite 0 nitrate 0 ph 8.0 phosphate 0.25 calcium 400ppm alk 11.2 dkh well what do you guys think! __________________ Go Ravens!!! Current Tank Info: 29G,10G sump, 4x24 t5.

08/03/2009, 10:02 PM	#23
Hdhuntr01 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Woolmarket, MS Posts: 395	Seems to me you might want to get your temps down a few degrees and try to stay between 78 - 80 but not higher than 80. Also get good test kits, I like Salifert and definitely invest in a refractometer. You can buy them off ebay for few bucks... I put corals in my tank two weeks after I set it up and never had prroblems. Once the cycle is finished it is all about good consistent water parameters, Do not stock the entire tank overnight - buy one or two corals a week and it should be easy as long as you monitor the water parameters. Good luck... __________________ Red Sea Reefer 750XXL, Four Radion Pro's, NYOS Skimmer, APEX, Two EcoTech MP40QD and some other goodies. Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer 750XXL

08/03/2009, 10:53 PM	#25
nosecondz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 74	It's is hot out here in as I allways keep my house at 78. I just put 2 computer fans in the sump area. Anyone have any ideas other than a chiller __________________ Go Ravens!!! Current Tank Info: 29G,10G sump, 4x24 t5.