What's going on? Bleaching?

[jonnyf]

Ok, so two things...

1. Is there any good brand of test kits that I could pick up? My last one just ran out, and I'm looking for something more accurate.

2. I have 3 acans with 30+ heads on each, hammer corals, and some SPS corals, that have just started bleaching. One of the SPS has already completely died. I have no idea what the problem is? I have 3 x 250 watt MH, and I tried turning the middle MH off because I thought it might be emitting to much light, but it hasn't seemed to help... Any ideas?

Thank you so much, I really have no idea what to do. I was planning on doing a water change when I get home. I don't think its the parameters, because everything was normal on the last test about 3 days ago.

 

[fish scales2]

do you know your SG

 

[jonnyf]

It's 1.026

I always try and keep it around there.

 

[spike]

How is your temperature? With warmer days lately your tank temp will probably also increase. Also how long have you had your tank up and running?

 

[jonnyf]

Been up since basically the 1st week in January. Temperature is right at 78.

 

[smoothie]

Added or started running anything new lately? What all does your kit test for?

 

[jonnyf]

Added Nothing in the past 2 Months. Calcium, Nitrite, Nitrates, Iodine.

I need a new test kit though, can you recommend a good brand too? Might as well test it, and see if anything new shows up so I can tell you guys.

 

[stacy22]

Salifert, Seachem or EOS test kits.

Good luck getting your situation straightened out. Things can get frustrating at times in this hobby. :sad:

 

[bdesper311]

Salifert and ELOS all the way!!!

 

[jonnyf]

Thank you very much..Yes, I had a bunch of money on the corals in there..Hopefully most will survive when I get this figured out.

Thanks again!

 

[jeffh]

How are you testing your SG? Refractometers need to be calibrated before they should be trusted, and a swing arm hydrometer needs to be verified as being accurate. I wouldn't trust either method until this is done.

HTH

Jeff

 

[jonnyf]

I have both. My refractometer was done by my LFS, and the hydrometer was said to be verified also by them.

Anyways, they are both reading the same. Thanks for the idea though..

 

[jeffh]

Just something you have to check off the list. :up:

For test kits, I've used Salifert, Redsea, API, and Elos test kits. I would recommend Elos if you're willing to pay the $, or API if you are looking for something cheaper but still effective (and reasonably accurate). I did like Salifert, but got burned back when they had some quality issues.

Try to think of any other changes that might have occured.

I always keep some carbon or a good old Polypad around. You never know what might have gotten in the tank, and it doesn't hurt to add either.

 

[jonnyf]

Idk, I'm writing down a checklist of things for when I get home..so far:

check skimmer
check Calcium reactor
Check temperature
see if turning the middle light off made a difference
waterchange


The only other thing I can think of is my calcium reactor stopped working, but it will be fixed by this weekend.