Good looking tank!!!
Looking for help with 500 gallon system
- Thread starter michael grady
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Thanks! I'm trying. Just a little discouraged.
Any time I've had real issues with corals it was either an alk swing or a phosphate swing. If you can, pick up a Hanna Alk Checker. Super easy to use and, even if it isn't the most accurate, it's fairly easy to get consistent results, and that's more important than pinpoint accuracy for most of us hobbyists. Check your alk every 2-3 days.
If you're running GFO, make sure that you change it regularly, weekly to bi-weekly, and do small amounts rather than dumping in a huge amount. Too much will strip all of the phosphate out very quick and corals can respond negatively.
Just remember, small changes.
For corals, start them low and slowly move them up.
Don't give up but slow down and make sure all of your parameters are truly where they need to be and stay there.
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Thanks for the replies. I'm trying hard to get the chemistry perfect. Decreasing Ca reactor - aiming for kh about 9 or so. Is there a way or reason to decrease KH?
As long as the pros (which is zero) is not up, is there really any reason to add more rock?
As long as the pros (which is zero) is not up, is there really any reason to add more rock?
Another thing to consider is that sometimes LR may leach toxins. Not sure of your LR source. I have helped many folks over the years and once helped someone that used LR that had been in a copper treated system. They had the same issue. Parameters checked out fine, equipment was top notch....but SPS would last a few weeks tops. Just a thought to consider. Could be something besides copper too. Maybe a water analysis could help. There are some companies that you can send a water sample to and for around $100...maybe less now....they will give you a run down of everything that is in your water.
My coral love newton county water ☺
Really shouldn't matter what is in the water if it's properly filtered through Ro/di but if you fear a chemical contaminant maybe run some poly filter it's good for heavy metals and chemicals
I got a Hanna alk checker you can borrow!
I'd start with alkalinity like everyone else has said , rtn is almost certainly alk swing .
Also I know you said you want sps dominant tank , but do you keep anything else that is doing good lps or soft coral ?
I'd start with alkalinity like everyone else has said , rtn is almost certainly alk swing .
Also I know you said you want sps dominant tank , but do you keep anything else that is doing good lps or soft coral ?
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Hi tbub-
The softies seems to thriving. I have a nice carpet anemone that is doing really well.
Most recent chemistry:
Alk 8-9
Cal. 400-425
mg 1000. (still working on this)
Phos. Zero on red sea kit
I just finished a new light rack
3. 400w radions. Run 3 hours
8 t5 bulbs actinic. Run 10hours
Led lights run 12 hours.
The comments about RTN due to alk swings make sense.
The softies seems to thriving. I have a nice carpet anemone that is doing really well.
Most recent chemistry:
Alk 8-9
Cal. 400-425
mg 1000. (still working on this)
Phos. Zero on red sea kit
I just finished a new light rack
3. 400w radions. Run 3 hours
8 t5 bulbs actinic. Run 10hours
Led lights run 12 hours.
The comments about RTN due to alk swings make sense.
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Well, Reggie and Shac were kind enough to come by yesterday and give it the once over. They both thought my lights were way too close to the water and I was frying the corals. With my new light rack system, it's an easy fix to raise the lights. I'll also tweet the photo periods of the MHs, t-5s and LEDs.
Chemistry seems stable and all is hovering around 8. I have the calcium reactor just barely on. (Water still runs through - just adjusting pH with Apex.
Reggie (referman) also brought some lovely frags which are hanging out in a little sand bed garden.
I also ordered some matrix and will add more fish this week.
Fingers crossed .....
Michael
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Thanks for the kind words! It was great to meet you, and thanks so much for the advice!!
first class setup and family!
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You're very kind. I enjoyed spending time with you and your family as well.
M
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Justas i thought we had this figured out...
More dead SPS today. At least half of the spa we put in on Sunday have bleached out and died. one still have some tissue that is obviously dying.
This is so frustrating and sad to be killing off this coral and wasting so much money.
Chemistry today:
Alk 8.0
Ca 425
Mg 1000 (dosed mg today)
nitrates 0
Phosphate 0
pH 8.4
temp 78.4
Conductivity 34.5
Two things come to mind:
1. I have sent off to one of those water testing facilities and will send a sample in. I wonder if maybe there is copper or something that has found its way in??
2. We adjusted the skimmer the other day and it seems to be pulling a great deal of gunk out of the water. Maybe it just needs more time? There is a little more hair algae than i would expect.
I wonder if it may be best to tear down, bleach the rock out and start fresh?? I think if the water tests neg for copper and the chemistry is spot on, and there is no help with the better skimming I have going, that is my best option.
Goodness gracious....
More dead SPS today. At least half of the spa we put in on Sunday have bleached out and died. one still have some tissue that is obviously dying.
This is so frustrating and sad to be killing off this coral and wasting so much money.
Chemistry today:
Alk 8.0
Ca 425
Mg 1000 (dosed mg today)
nitrates 0
Phosphate 0
pH 8.4
temp 78.4
Conductivity 34.5
Two things come to mind:
1. I have sent off to one of those water testing facilities and will send a sample in. I wonder if maybe there is copper or something that has found its way in??
2. We adjusted the skimmer the other day and it seems to be pulling a great deal of gunk out of the water. Maybe it just needs more time? There is a little more hair algae than i would expect.
I wonder if it may be best to tear down, bleach the rock out and start fresh?? I think if the water tests neg for copper and the chemistry is spot on, and there is no help with the better skimming I have going, that is my best option.
Goodness gracious....
