Why is my Coraline Dying?

[JimToGo]

Hello all, this is my first post. I usually use these forums to find answers to the many challenges in reef keeping. But I haven't found an explanation as to why my coraline is dying.

I have a 180g reef with a 75g sump/refug and 150lbs of live rock. The tank is alittle over a year old. The tank is loaded with sps, lps, and many softies. And yes, I've paid dearly for going too fast. I've had crazy coraline growth since the beginning, but about 2 months ago I switched my lights from T5s to Leds. That's about the time it started declining. So I researched and found that changing the lights would cause the coraline to die off. But, the fuge is lit by 5000K T5s that hasn't changed. The colarline has almost completely died in the fuge as well. So, is it the lights? My corals & fish are doing great. I've had crazy growth from the sps, they are loving the Leds. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Ph 8.2 - 8.4
sg 1.024
Ca 420 - 440 via kalk in topoff
KH 9-11
Temp 78
Nitrates 0
Phosphates 0 (with 2 different test kits, but I don't believe it! Fuge growing too good to have no po4)
I also check & dose Iodine & Mag
change 30g a month

[Ron Reefman]

No solutions, sorry. But some questions:
1) Is there any new coraline growth on any of the glass?
2) Have you pulled a rock and looked closely? Looking for some kind of bug or preditor.
3) Is there any one area that is doing worse (or where the die off started) or is it just generally everywhere?
4) Have you tried pulling a rock and putting it in a QT with different water and a light? Maybe add a LR from the LFS and see how it does in the QT along side your rock. If your rock starts to grow coraline again, you'll know it's something in your tank and not the coraline itself.

Good luck

[iLLwiLL]

when I switched from halides to LED's I had the top 7 or 8" in my tanks coraline start to recede. its now coming back brighter and thicker than ever but it'll take some time to get where it was at. I'm gratefull for the decline in coraline growth to be honest, it was getting old having to scrape the purple glass every week.

~Will.

[stingythingy45]

It's a good thing to know where that Mg. level is at.
Could you post that?

[JimToGo]

Thanks for the replies.

The Coraline is not completely gone, most of it on the glass has gone or turned white. The rock is still purple, but is lighter than before. I still have some dark purple spots. The fuge has lost almost all of it.

I haven't taken a rock out and examined it. I don't really know what to look for. What kind of predators eat coraline?

I need to get a QT tank setup, I currently dip all new stuff in Revive. But I definately need a QT setup. I am currently dealing with a horde of evil zoa nudis. I've gotten 8 out in the last 2 wks.

The mg has been low ever since I switch to Kalkwasser. It runs between 1150 and 1250. I use Seachem and Epsom salt to buffer. I've read that it should be 1300, but I can't seem to get it there.

[BowieReefer84]

I keep my mag at 1350-1400. Really doesn't have any ill effects, and gives you some wiggle room if it drops. You could use Kent Magnesium or BRS sells a Mag product as well. For your size tank the BRS will likely be a more affordable option. Kalkwasser does not affect Mag levels...

[AaronM]

IME, as your alk and cal is good, what your describing is related to low mag.

I'd crank your mag to ~1400. I'm not sure why you can't get it there. There's many products which will help.

[stingythingy45]

Originally Posted by JimToGo

Thanks for the replies.

The mg has been low ever since I switch to Kalkwasser. It runs between 1150 and 1250. I use Seachem and Epsom salt to buffer. I've read that it should be 1300, but I can't seem to get it there.

It's takes a lot of supplement to raise Mg.talking gallon(s)
Depending on the size of the tank.I make a mixture of Epson salt and magnesium flake.In my 180 gallon system it takes a gallon just to get a decent change in PPM.There's a calculator out there for suupplements.I'll see if I can find it for you.

[BowieReefer84]

Here is the BRS calculator.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...siumCalculator

[stingythingy45]

So at 255 total system gallons.

Need: 1609.4 grams; 56.7 oz 383.2 tsp
So pretty much a 1/2 gallon to go from 1200 ppm to 1400 ppm.

Seems low,but BRS might have a better concentration than my homemade stuff.

[BowieReefer84]

Originally Posted by stingythingy45

So at 255 total system gallons.

Need: 1609.4 grams; 56.7 oz 383.2 tsp
So pretty much a 1/2 gallon to go from 1200 ppm to 1400 ppm.

Seems low,but BRS might have a better concentration than my homemade stuff.

I understand he needs 1/2 gallon of the flakes PLUS the water to mix it together. Not sure what it would end up at mixed, but much more than 1/2 gallon...

[JimToGo]

Thanks guys!!

To be honest, I've been scared to add that much mg supplement. Before I used Kalk, my Ca & Alk supplements had Mg in them so I didn't need to do anything for Mg. But when I switched, I realized I needed to supplement Mg. I checked the online calculators, but it just seemed like too much. I mean a gallon, really! How do you guys put that much in the tank? Can I add it to the kalk mix, which is in my topoff tank? Or can I just pour it in slowly in my sump?

I'm looking at BFS to buy, but how much are we talking about? I see it will take alot to get it up to 1400, but how much will it take to keep it there? It looks like I need to buy a 5g bucket. Also, it seems like chloride is better for raising it alot and sulfate is better for keeping it up. Which should I get now?

Thanks again
Jim