Bob,
IMO, FWIW and all that stuff, I have to disagree with those recommending
that you tear the tank down and re-cure the rock.You are going to have a
horrible mess with the animals you currently have if you go that route. I
think that if we really look at the water parameters, your replacement water
and the water changes, we may be able to correct what you have going on, and
get the tank back on the good side.
Here is my 10 cents worth.....
Something caused your snails to die. Could have been many things that caused
that, including something that got into the tank via replacement water or
water in a change, could have been lack of food. How many died, and did
every single one of them die and did they all die right at the same time or
over a period of time? Did you add any of the corals after this event
occurred, or where they all in there when it happened? See, it does not
make sense that there was something horribly wrong or you would have lost
your anemone and probably your soft corals as well. Also, what are the
nitrate levels and do you have any macro algaes in the tank? What types of
stony corals do you have in the tank? How many fish, what types, and what
are your feeding practices? Do you have hermit crabs in the tank?
It would seem to me that you have a tank that is well suited for soft
corals, as you say that your anemone and softies are doing well. This tells
me that you have a tank that is fairly high in nutrients, which could cause
certain stony corals to suffer while softies and anemones thrive.
Now, here are a couple things to consider. First, your alk and calcium
levels are a bit low. Your system is sucking up what you are putting in,
which to me means that you have a fairly demanding system for alk and
calcium (could be the stony corals plus your coraline trying to grow). Low
levels of alk and calcium will cause your coralline algae to recede, and
when that happens, the green algae is going to take over your rock. You
mention purple and green algae on the glass. The purple alage is coraline.
So it is trying to grow, it just may not have what it needs to grow quickly
enough to out compete the green algae.
Next, your water changes may be a bit small. I would start doing 15 gallons
per week instead of 5. I would also get a phosphate sponge in the tank. Your
phosphates are too high, which could cause algae and stony corals to suffer.
And get a fan on your sump and see if you can get the temp down a couple of
degrees. IMO, 84 is just a bit high to run long term. If you could bring it
down to 80-81 I think you would be better off. Warm temps can add to
aggressive green algae growth.
Now the painful part... I would look into an RO (and DI if you can) unit for
your replacement water. The tap water purifiers are okay, but they do not do
the job of an RO unit. If you can not do that, then I would only recharge
the purifiers once or twice, then use a new one. To tell you the truth, in
the long run, and RO unit will pay for itself. Next on the painful list, it
is time for new lights. Personally, I would go with 3 actinics and a 6750k
MH bulb, but that is up to much debate and is really of personal preference
to you. I can tell you, get rid of the trichromatic bulb. These things are
algae enhancing machines. Bottom line, it is time to replace lights. A shift
in spectrum of your 10K mh could cause algae growth and cause your stony
corals to suffer do to lack of proper light, and after a year, you are
shifting spectrum.
Finally, I would stop using additives, other than to maintain alk and
calcium. Try using a well known 2 part additive like
b-ionic. Get your parameters stable (alk around 4-4.5 and calcium at
420-450) and keep them that way (easier said than done) with one good
product. That will produce consistency for you. If you bump your water
changes up, your other trace elements should be replenished enough to
maintain the tank. Later, once the tank is under control, you can look at
re-introducing other elements (if you want).
If none of this helps (and I really think it will) then we need to look at
your sand bed and how it may be effecting the tank. Over a period of time,
if the sand bed has not been managed properly, it can become a nutrient sink
which could cause some problems. Just something to keep in mind.....
Any ways, sorry this is so long everyone. I just saw a few things that may
be causing these problems...
Shane C.
-----Original Message-----
From: rs11 [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Friday, January 26, 2001 6:14 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Need some very good advivce,Please!
I have had reef tank for approx. 4 years that was doing great,
corals growing, coraline growing nicely. About 6 months ago I wrote the
group about my hard corals starting to die.
Here is a synopsis on how it happened; first all of my snails died.
Then slowly my hard corals started to shrink back from the skeleton. I tried
dipping in Tectra D to no avail. The polyps that where on the rocks
died,there were many,all colors.
My present water Readings are:pH 8.35, Alk3.5, phos .5, iodine .05,
calcium 375ppm, Specific Gravity 1.024. temp around 84F
I have a 65 gallon reef with a 15 gallon sump. An Amiracle 100
skimmer.
I use a 300watt MH 10K along with 2 actinic bulbs and a Coralife
Trichromatic bulb, all about 1 year old now.
I have at present 3 toadstool leather corals that are opening
nicely, part of a button coral, a finger Coral and some mushrooms. All
appear to be good.
The glass shows a lot of algae growth, green and purple in color.I
have to scrape it once a week
The live rocks also have a green algea growth very low,covering
them. Feels like moss,
The coraline is gone
I have about 2 1/2 inches of aragonite on the floor
I have used reef crystals and change 5 gallons per week.
I used the following suppliments from the start: Seachem Reef
Iodine,Reef Calcium,Reef Strontium. Used them very inconsistantly.
I changed to Tads iodine, KLH and vital gold, on a consistant
basis.Changed to this based on the praise I heard on various groups and
started to drip Kalk.That's when things started to go wrong.presently not
using any suppliments.
I also have a 30 gallon tank in the garage that replenishes the
water as it evaporates, through a tube. I use the Tap Water Purifier by
Aquarium Pharm.I have recharged them a few times myself.
My question is, I want to start building up the reef again. What are
your suggestions ? Do I throw 120 pounds of live rock out and start fresh ?
How do I get rid of the algae on the rocks?
What suppliments do I use, what manufacturer?
I have bubble tip anenome that is doing great, the fish are doing
fine.
I do not want this to happen again.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
Bob Stuhl
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