Soft Corals Dying

[Brazil]

I have searched and researched. I am not new to this hobby, but I have a problem tank that is now going through a stage I have never encountered. I started a thread in reef discussion, but came up blank. I was told to post under Dr. Ron's forum or Eric's forum. I am doing both in hopes one of you may have an answer. Here is the backgound thread to give you some information. Thank you in advance.

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=376141&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

Here are the pics I also posted on the second page of the thread.

http://tribalrites.com/Unrelated/tank1.jpg
http://tribalrites.com/Unrelated/shrooms1.jpg
http://tribalrites.com/Unrelated/polyps1.jpg
http://tribalrites.com/Unrelated/corals1.jpg
http://tribalrites.com/Unrelated/anemone1.jpg
http://tribalrites.com/Unrelated/hammer1.jpg

[Brazil]

Eric asked me for this info so I thought I would post it here as well.

Water quality: All test normal
Nitrates 0
Ph 8.2
calcium ~350 Somtimes tests lower
Alk not sure right now but had always tested Ok in past
Temp: 77 - 79
Salinity 1.023 - 1.024 Assumming my hyrdometer is correct
looking to buy refractometer

Dose: 2 part Kent calcium/buffer, Kent iodine
water changes ~12 gallons about every 3 weeks

Skimmer
~20 gallon fuge (just started) DSB, 40 watts flourescent daylight, have racemosa but waiting on chaeto
I believe my return is run a a Via Aqua 3600
Wavemaker w/4 hagen 301's (Ordered a pair of maxijet 1200's to replace 2 of the 301's)
Lights are on 10 hours

[Forestal]

Just my newbie thoughts.

You may want to keep temp a little higher 80-82, closer to reef, salinity at 1.025. Definitely invest in a refractometer, your salinity may be swinging without reading on the hydrometer.

any major swings in pH am vs. pm, this could be a big stress as well.

the white stuff on the shrooms i think is extravasated guts from stress.

what is your livestock (corals) list, as chemical warfare may be a cause.
consider adding a carbon filter to decrease this.


if you are experiencing nutrient overload, it may not show up in reading, but it seems your corals are overun with problem algae, which could be a sign of nutrient overload.

brains like higher water flow, as they can tend to get overrun with algae without it.

also you mentioned you just started your fuge with DSB. if it is real recent that tank has to cycle and that may influence your main tank.

hope these are helpful thoughts. good luck.

[Forestal]

just read your other thread, most of this has been covered. the sudden switch in lights may be a factor that just needs time to see, but i doubt it. it is probably nutrient overload which when the fuge is up and running well with good nutrient export (i use chaetomorpha and caulerpa) this will help.

good luck

[rshimek]

Hi,

From my point of view, the temperature is too low as is the salinity.

I think I need more information. Can you post a better - close up and in focus (:D) image of the mushroom polyps and their "white" stuff?

Is there any chance that the tank has been contaminated (somebody has dropped in a penny, or a bolt, or...)?

[Brazil]

I have not been able to get anymore pics yet, but i did discover a little user error problem going on. My skimmer's jet was clogged with a piece of impeller along with other junk. Should have thought of this a while back. I cleaned it out and the skimmer is working better now. I am running some carbon as well. I will update if and when things turn around. Thanks you.