What causes...? - Page 2

55semireef · #26 05/02/2007, 09:50 PM

I use a portable refractometer for testing salinity. I have been running activated carbon and I doubt any chemicles got in the water. At least thats what I presume. My tank just went nuts on me all of a sudden.

jdieck · #27 05/02/2007, 10:14 PM

Also look for electrical currents or a failing pump that might be shorting to water.

55semireef · #28 05/03/2007, 06:51 PM

How would I go about this if you dont mind me asking?

jdieck · #29 05/03/2007, 07:02 PM

If you have access to a multitester, ideally you want test for voltage between the water and ground. In lack off you need to very carefully inspect every electrical device that is in contact with the water. Look for cracks in the wire's insulation, epoxi encapsulation in pump bodies, water seals in heaters and any area were will allow water entering in contact with a wire.

55semireef · #30 05/03/2007, 07:06 PM

What would cause this? Powerheads, and pumps? I don't have any heaters. All I have is three powerheads, a return pump and a pump for my skimmer. Those are the only things electrical that make contact with the water in my tank.

jdieck · #31 05/03/2007, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 55semireef
What would cause this? Powerheads, and pumps? I don't have any heaters. All I have is three powerheads, a return pump and a pump for my skimmer. Those are the only things electrical that make contact with the water in my tank.

Check them out. Take your powerheads out, dissasemble and see if you can notice any damage to the internal parts, crtacked insulation or such.

55semireef · #32 05/03/2007, 08:44 PM

I was thinking that I could turn off one PH a day and see if I notice any improvements. Do you think that would work or would that not be enough time for anything to go into effect?

jdieck · #33 05/03/2007, 11:32 PM

You can try that although I do not know if you will see a reaction in just one day, also you will need to do one device at a time trying to determine which is the once causing the issue.
I think borrowing a multimeter will be faster and more reliable.

55semireef · #34 05/05/2007, 10:29 AM

I am assuming that miltimeters are expensive. Just the name sounds expensive. I wonder where I could borrow one?

Thanks

jdieck · #35 05/05/2007, 11:17 AM

Multimeters can range from the $20.00 up. If you want to get one most RadioShack Multimeters in the range of would do. Do not get a digital one, they get too much interference from the lighting. A needle analog one is better for this. You can get the item 22-223 or the item 22-218

55semireef · #36 05/05/2007, 02:36 PM

Well I think found the reason causing this decline of my zoos and yellow polyps. I took in a frag to a lfs today and had the frag looked under a very high powered microscope. It was quite remarkable what I could see. The lady that was helping me out said there was a fungus growing on my zoos. She said this was caused by either detritus or food decaying under the zoos polyps which causes fungus to grow. I bought Tropic Marin Proo-coral cure, a type of iodine preparation to treat parasitica and microbial diseases of corals. She is going to email me a picture of the fungus today and I will post it up here for you to look at jdieck.

Not to mention, I bought a bucket of RC.

jdieck · #37 05/05/2007, 03:24 PM

Try to keep good flow under the zoos, once in a while do the cleaning with a powerhead or turkey baster.

55semireef · #38 05/05/2007, 03:33 PM

Yep, that's exactly what I was told. I never knew that before. Hopefully the dip will take care of that fungus.

specialreef · #39 05/08/2007, 10:35 PM

55semireef, if you dont mind me asking what reef store(s) in orlando do you visit? I just need more location to visit.

Good luck curing the fungus.

55semireef · #40 05/09/2007, 03:11 PM

I visited Sea In the City.

specialreef · #41 05/09/2007, 07:15 PM

Cool, i'll look up for it.