Corals receding - slow tank crash (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter chemsol
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chemsol
Senior Member
Here's the brown crud I was referring to. Tried to get as much of it as I could out of the sump last night during water change...
ozman05
Senior Member
I have this in my sump too, so I'm curious to hear from others what it is.
Yep, just your typical detritus. Sump sitting on the ground makes it more of a challenge to remove. Pump out as much water as possible then use a wet/dry vac to remove it all. I like to do it once a month but sometimes that schedule slides.
ozman05
Senior Member
Does running a filter sock help keep that to a minimum?
I found running a sock really helps keep the detritus in my sump at a minimum.
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chemsol
Senior Member
Parameters and tank looking a lot better now.
Phos .04
Alk 7.5
Calc 440
Mag ~1300
Everything is looking much better now. Lots of new growth on the chalices and the remaining sps is going through a growth spurt. Cleaned as much detritus out of the sump as possible without draining and I'll get the rest when I install the ATS probably towards the end of the month. Thank you all for your suggestions.
Phos .04
Alk 7.5
Calc 440
Mag ~1300
Everything is looking much better now. Lots of new growth on the chalices and the remaining sps is going through a growth spurt. Cleaned as much detritus out of the sump as possible without draining and I'll get the rest when I install the ATS probably towards the end of the month. Thank you all for your suggestions.
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chemsol
Senior Member
Now running an ATS but have noticed an issue of late. My PH has skyrocketed over the last 4 days.
The PH range has been 8.3 - 8.55 daily.
Alk is 7.5 dKH
I have 2 different PH probes on the APEX and last checked them about 3 months ago and they were within tolerances. Is the above range dangerous? I am pulling outside air directly to my skimmer and have the ATS and display at different light cycles. Any need to regulate the PH more?
My acans have receded and don't seem to be doing well. Other than adding a lot of magnesium to lately to raise that figure, the PH is the only thing I can think of having an effect.
The PH range has been 8.3 - 8.55 daily.
Alk is 7.5 dKH
I have 2 different PH probes on the APEX and last checked them about 3 months ago and they were within tolerances. Is the above range dangerous? I am pulling outside air directly to my skimmer and have the ATS and display at different light cycles. Any need to regulate the PH more?
My acans have receded and don't seem to be doing well. Other than adding a lot of magnesium to lately to raise that figure, the PH is the only thing I can think of having an effect.
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I run an ATS only + kalkwasser and don't come anywhere close to danger zones. Pulling in fresh air for skimmer has got to be costing you a lot in added heater costs unless you have a heat recovery in place.
So without the ATS what does it normally run ? What do you use to maintain alkalinity ?
The two probes, you have cleaned and calibrated them recently ? as they get dirty and age they can read several tenths high. If it's been more than 30 days, that's the first thing to do.
So without the ATS what does it normally run ? What do you use to maintain alkalinity ?
The two probes, you have cleaned and calibrated them recently ? as they get dirty and age they can read several tenths high. If it's been more than 30 days, that's the first thing to do.
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chemsol
Senior Member
I have the skimmer airline extended and drawing from the fresh air intake (6" flex pipe) in the mechanical room. It really is only pulling air in that would normally be pulled in anyway and the skimmer exhaust to that same mechanical room so should be pressure balanced.
I'm using BRS 2 part Soda ash to dose Alk. Without the ATS, I was getting PH between 8.15-8.4
I'll clean and calibrate the PH probes and see what I come up with.
I'm using BRS 2 part Soda ash to dose Alk. Without the ATS, I was getting PH between 8.15-8.4
I'll clean and calibrate the PH probes and see what I come up with.
If it's been longer than 30days you can easily see a .1 - .2 difference in your reading after cleaning and calibrating.
If 8.55 is still an issue after that, consider switch to recipe #1 which is baking soda instead of soda ash.
If 8.55 is still an issue after that, consider switch to recipe #1 which is baking soda instead of soda ash.
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chemsol
Senior Member
Well....
After cleaning and calibrating my range is now between 8.06 - 8.28.
Also, I tested with a new Mag test kit and am somewhere near or over 1500 ppm. Looks like the previous test kit I had was totally off. I tested 1200 and then 1250 when it should have reported 1340 based on the amount of mag I added.
I'm thinking high mag is the reason my acans are freaking out. Not sure if I should do a water change to bring the mag down I but have had my mag doser unplugged for 2 days now and the acans are looking better.
After cleaning and calibrating my range is now between 8.06 - 8.28.
Also, I tested with a new Mag test kit and am somewhere near or over 1500 ppm. Looks like the previous test kit I had was totally off. I tested 1200 and then 1250 when it should have reported 1340 based on the amount of mag I added.
I'm thinking high mag is the reason my acans are freaking out. Not sure if I should do a water change to bring the mag down I but have had my mag doser unplugged for 2 days now and the acans are looking better.
WC never hurts! But letting the Mag come down slowly as it gets used up isn't a bad idea either.
a1t2o
Senior Member
After reading through all this, I can't help but think that there might be an issue of low nutrients for your corals to feed on. Do you spot feed them, or add anything for them to filter feed on?
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chemsol
Senior Member
The mag has settled and everything looks great now. I spot feed my corals with mysis. I have reef chili but am not using it b\c I am trying to reduce some patches of Hydroid growth. As soon as the ATS is going full strength, I will be re-doing all my aquascape and pull any hydroid rocks. Then I can filter feed again.