Hard Coral Problems

[Markster]

I have a 75 gal Reef with a 30 gal sump. Been running the SG at 1.028 (tester falty) so I thought it was at 1.024. Got a new tester and now got it down to 1.025 in a week. Rose the pH from 7.9 to 8.3 and KH from 3.0 to 7.0 this week also. Have a iodine/iodide test from Seachem that will not read with sample or reference (emailed them for a new Reagent #1).

The softies are doing fine, expect one, but the hard corals (candy canes, frogspon, etc.) are not coming out and loosing some of the the branches as the tissues are sloffing off. I also took out a carpet anenome that I have had from six years as the insides were coming out of the mouth and some of the edges were sloffing also.

Did I move to fast? I am puzzled and frustated.

[hobogato]

my guess would be the quick change in pH and alkalinity (they go together). swings in alkalinity have caused more problems than anything else in my tank.

[engwife36]

I agree with Ace. I had that same problem back in December.

[Markster]

Then do another water change or let the tank settle and see what makes it?

[JeffCo]

I would say just keep the tank consistent now with your alk. Try not to let it fluctuate much and they should recover.

[urban79]

ace knows his hard corals. One day Ill be selling him somethen LOL (ya right)

[Markster]

Should I try and lower the Kh from 7.5 to 6 or so? The pH is stay out 8.4, SG 1.024. Temp is running at 83.