3yr old Tank Crashing

frnkynlop · 07/19/2011, 02:50 PM

Hey Guys,

First and foremost I want to say that I'm new to rc, but been in the hobby about 3yrs and that this is one of my favorite sites. Second I want to apologize for the long post, but I really Don't know what to do. Third Let me give you some background of my setup. I have a 90 gallon dt(3yrs up and running) with a 30 gallon sump which is filled up ¾ the way, In the sump I have some chaeto along with a vertex in 100 skimmer. My light is an 8 bulb tek light. Live stock includes 2 rbta, some frogspawns, leathers, bubble, and flower pot corals, 3 clown, 3 medium tangs, file fish, mandarin, and 3 damsels as well as approx 90 to 100lbs of live rock and about 80 lbs of live sand. In the sump I have about 5 to 10lbs of live rock as well. As for My reading salinity at .27, nitrates 20ppm, phosphates 1ppm, cal 510, mag 1600, KH at 9 and PH @ 8.2.

Now for the problem, about a month ago I noticed that my corals weren’t looking so happy, so I started testing everything and found my nitrates were around 40ish via API Test kits. I did a couple of water changes with no reduction. One thing I would like to mention is that I had been running this system with tap water till recently. I now use rodi water; I also changed my salt from reef crystal to ESV Salt and my nitrates went from 40ish to 20-15ish via the new red sea test kits. My problem now is that my corals still look unhappy and I’ve lost one colony of hammers and about to lose a colony of frogspawns. My flower pot coral is looking kinda sad too, but everything else looks happy. I’m at my wits end.

For the past month I’ve done 25gal water change every 3 to 4days. I also removed the bio balls from my sump. I don’t know what the heck I’m doing wrong any advise would be greatly appreciated as I don’t want to loose any more of my oldest corals. Thanks for reading this long post.

Frank

javajaws · 07/19/2011, 03:21 PM

Do you match the Alk of your makeup water with that of your tank water before adding it?

You may just be making things worse by trying to fix things too fast.

frnkynlop · 07/19/2011, 03:25 PM

so should I limit the water changes to once a week or even longer?

naterealbig · 07/19/2011, 03:27 PM

Frank, sorry about your troubles. To begin with, I would check your tanks specific gravity with an instrument other than the one you have been using. Nitrate isn't too bad, but the PO4 is a bit high. Also, if you have a voltmeter, I would check your tank for stray voltage. I would also give the tank a really good inspection, checking for foreign objects that may be contaminating the tank, especially in the sand and rock. Could you post some pictures of the tank and the corals? It would probably help the folks here try to diagnose the problem. What are you currently dosing if anything?

naterealbig · 07/19/2011, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frnkynlop

so should I limit the water changes to once a week or even longer?

Depends on what the tank is looking like now. If it is staying pretty clean, I would keep it to once a week. Did you start doing the water changes because of the nitrate level?

frnkynlop · 07/19/2011, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naterealbig

Frank, sorry about your troubles. To begin with, I would check your tanks specific gravity with an instrument other than the one you have been using. Nitrate isn't too bad, but the PO4 is a bit high. Also, if you have a voltmeter, I would check your tank for stray voltage. I would also give the tank a really good inspection, checking for foreign objects that may be contaminating the tank, especially in the sand and rock. Could you post some pictures of the tank and the corals? It would probably help the folks here try to diagnose the problem. What are you currently dosing if anything?

I'm not dosing anything as I felt the cal and mag were already on the high side.

Sport507 · 07/19/2011, 03:47 PM

Sorry things are going backwards for you right now but keep you chin up maybe we can all help figure it out with you. I have one question.

What type of substrate are you using?

frnkynlop · 07/19/2011, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naterealbig

Depends on what the tank is looking like now. If it is staying pretty clean, I would keep it to once a week. Did you start doing the water changes because of the nitrate level?

yes I started the water changes when my corals first started looking bad and realized nitrates were up.

frnkynlop · 07/19/2011, 04:01 PM

argonite sand. hope i spelled right

frnkynlop · 07/19/2011, 04:04 PM

Tank a month prior to problem

nolanrob123 · 07/19/2011, 04:06 PM

Sorry for the loss. Other then the parameters have you changed anything lately? How old is the lighting? Anything new or different within the past couple months?

Sport507 · 07/19/2011, 04:07 PM

I agree with the above post slow down on the water changes. If you can keep the nitrates under 20ppm. Do you have a way to run some carbon?

frnkynlop · 07/19/2011, 04:14 PM

Pic of tank now. Sorry for the crappy pics don't have a good camera

symon_say · 07/19/2011, 04:15 PM

What about the lights, how long was your last bulbs change??

frnkynlop · 07/19/2011, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nolanrob123

Sorry for the loss. Other then the parameters have you changed anything lately? How old is the lighting? Anything new or different within the past couple months?

Only thing different is that I changed 2 bulb that were old with same type of bulbs. (Ati blue special)

frnkynlop · 07/19/2011, 04:18 PM

Guys,

I really want to say thankx for your help.

frnkynlop · 07/19/2011, 04:19 PM

also changed the salt and switch from tap water to rodi water and took out the bio balls from sump.

frnkynlop · 07/19/2011, 04:23 PM

a few dumb question why are the froggies and the pot coral are the only ones being affected? rbta, buble coral, wellso and fish look happy. how long should I ride it out for before going back to panic mode. lol

aquamn1999 · 07/19/2011, 04:38 PM

What was your regular maintenance schedule prior to you noticing things were wrong?

LAKEM0NSTER · 07/19/2011, 04:43 PM

Hey Frank, this hobby is full of highs & sometimes lows. We've all been there, be patient.

One thing that maybe buggin out your corals could be that file fish...watch to see if he's munching on anything. It could also be a hitch hiker of some sort??

I use phosphate sponge in a canister filter & it keeps my phosphates in check. That also could be an issue..

Are the frogspawn & pot coral in close proximity?? Maybe something is nearby causing probs??

frnkynlop · 07/19/2011, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aquamn1999

What was your regular maintenance schedule prior to you noticing things were wrong?

I used do water changes about 3 to 4 weeks apart. with doing a heavier cleaning every three months and doing a complete overhual every six months.

frnkynlop · 07/19/2011, 05:11 PM

I don't think the file fish is the culprate, I started having the problem before I added the file fish. One of the reasons I added the file fish is because I had an aptaisa problem and I thought that they were the problem. Good thing is he took care of the aptaisa. I'm using a phosphate media pad. Don't know the name of it, but it's green and you cut it to the size you need. I was thinking maybe running phosan reactor or bio pellets.

frnkynlop · 07/19/2011, 05:15 PM

Guys,

Once again thanks for all the replies. I really appreciate all the feed back

cham · 07/19/2011, 05:35 PM

frnkynlop · 07/19/2011, 05:36 PM

I don't think the pot and frog are close they're about 1 1/2 to 2 feet apart

07/19/2011, 02:50 PM	#1
frnkynlop Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: new york Posts: 113	3yr old Tank Crashing Hey Guys, First and foremost I want to say that I'm new to rc, but been in the hobby about 3yrs and that this is one of my favorite sites. Second I want to apologize for the long post, but I really Don't know what to do. Third Let me give you some background of my setup. I have a 90 gallon dt(3yrs up and running) with a 30 gallon sump which is filled up ¾ the way, In the sump I have some chaeto along with a vertex in 100 skimmer. My light is an 8 bulb tek light. Live stock includes 2 rbta, some frogspawns, leathers, bubble, and flower pot corals, 3 clown, 3 medium tangs, file fish, mandarin, and 3 damsels as well as approx 90 to 100lbs of live rock and about 80 lbs of live sand. In the sump I have about 5 to 10lbs of live rock as well. As for My reading salinity at .27, nitrates 20ppm, phosphates 1ppm, cal 510, mag 1600, KH at 9 and PH @ 8.2. Now for the problem, about a month ago I noticed that my corals weren’t looking so happy, so I started testing everything and found my nitrates were around 40ish via API Test kits. I did a couple of water changes with no reduction. One thing I would like to mention is that I had been running this system with tap water till recently. I now use rodi water; I also changed my salt from reef crystal to ESV Salt and my nitrates went from 40ish to 20-15ish via the new red sea test kits. My problem now is that my corals still look unhappy and I’ve lost one colony of hammers and about to lose a colony of frogspawns. My flower pot coral is looking kinda sad too, but everything else looks happy. I’m at my wits end. For the past month I’ve done 25gal water change every 3 to 4days. I also removed the bio balls from my sump. I don’t know what the heck I’m doing wrong any advise would be greatly appreciated as I don’t want to loose any more of my oldest corals. Thanks for reading this long post. Frank

07/19/2011, 03:21 PM	#2
javajaws Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 1,620	Do you match the Alk of your makeup water with that of your tank water before adding it? You may just be making things worse by trying to fix things too fast. __________________ Everyone has an opinion. Accept the fact now that someone isn't going to like yours sooner or later. Current Tank Info: 110g in-wall, ATI 8x54w T5, 2xMP40es, SRO XP-2000i, 2-part Ca/Alk, Apex controlled

07/19/2011, 03:27 PM	#4
naterealbig Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 2,252	Frank, sorry about your troubles. To begin with, I would check your tanks specific gravity with an instrument other than the one you have been using. Nitrate isn't too bad, but the PO4 is a bit high. Also, if you have a voltmeter, I would check your tank for stray voltage. I would also give the tank a really good inspection, checking for foreign objects that may be contaminating the tank, especially in the sand and rock. Could you post some pictures of the tank and the corals? It would probably help the folks here try to diagnose the problem. What are you currently dosing if anything? __________________ My skimmate has notes of saffron, and a hint of lilac.

07/19/2011, 03:47 PM	#7
Sport507 ~Just a Farm Boy~ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 1,651	Sorry things are going backwards for you right now but keep you chin up maybe we can all help figure it out with you. I have one question. What type of substrate are you using? __________________ Sport If you do not test for it, DON'T dose it. Indiana INDMAS Member

07/19/2011, 04:07 PM	#12
Sport507 ~Just a Farm Boy~ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 1,651	I agree with the above post slow down on the water changes. If you can keep the nitrates under 20ppm. Do you have a way to run some carbon? __________________ Sport If you do not test for it, DON'T dose it. Indiana INDMAS Member

07/19/2011, 03:25 PM	#3
frnkynlop Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: new york Posts: 113	so should I limit the water changes to once a week or even longer?

07/19/2011, 04:01 PM	#9
frnkynlop Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: new york Posts: 113	argonite sand. hope i spelled right

07/19/2011, 04:06 PM	#11
nolanrob123 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 96	Sorry for the loss. Other then the parameters have you changed anything lately? How old is the lighting? Anything new or different within the past couple months?

07/19/2011, 04:15 PM	#14
symon_say Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Dominican Republic Posts: 556	What about the lights, how long was your last bulbs change??

07/19/2011, 04:18 PM	#16
frnkynlop Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: new york Posts: 113	Guys, I really want to say thankx for your help.

07/19/2011, 04:19 PM	#17
frnkynlop Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: new york Posts: 113	also changed the salt and switch from tap water to rodi water and took out the bio balls from sump.

07/19/2011, 04:23 PM	#18
frnkynlop Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: new york Posts: 113	a few dumb question why are the froggies and the pot coral are the only ones being affected? rbta, buble coral, wellso and fish look happy. how long should I ride it out for before going back to panic mode. lol

07/19/2011, 04:38 PM	#19
aquamn1999 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 155	What was your regular maintenance schedule prior to you noticing things were wrong?

07/19/2011, 04:43 PM	#20
LAKEM0NSTER Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Bloomington, IN Posts: 160	Hey Frank, this hobby is full of highs & sometimes lows. We've all been there, be patient. One thing that maybe buggin out your corals could be that file fish...watch to see if he's munching on anything. It could also be a hitch hiker of some sort?? I use phosphate sponge in a canister filter & it keeps my phosphates in check. That also could be an issue.. Are the frogspawn & pot coral in close proximity?? Maybe something is nearby causing probs??

07/19/2011, 05:11 PM	#22
frnkynlop Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: new york Posts: 113	I don't think the file fish is the culprate, I started having the problem before I added the file fish. One of the reasons I added the file fish is because I had an aptaisa problem and I thought that they were the problem. Good thing is he took care of the aptaisa. I'm using a phosphate media pad. Don't know the name of it, but it's green and you cut it to the size you need. I was thinking maybe running phosan reactor or bio pellets.

07/19/2011, 05:15 PM	#23
frnkynlop Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: new york Posts: 113	Guys, Once again thanks for all the replies. I really appreciate all the feed back

07/19/2011, 05:35 PM	#24
cham Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Winter Garden, FL Posts: 3,632	__________________ The more I learn about reefing the less I know. Current Tank Info: -SPS-120g Rimless Starfire, Garage sump/equip room with rimless frag tank, reefkeeper & Apex Jr, Reeflo Super Dart Gold return, ATI Powermodule, four Vortech MP40's, SRO XP3000 cone w/self cleaning head, two reefbrite LED, AF three part balling Last edited by cham; 07/19/2011 at 05:46 PM.

07/19/2011, 05:36 PM	#25
frnkynlop Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: new york Posts: 113	I don't think the pot and frog are close they're about 1 1/2 to 2 feet apart

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