Need help

[allan]

Hey guys, need help.

I'm trying to relegate my ph through a kalk mixer and save a few of my last remaining sps corals. I came home today and it looks like I may lose my garf bonsai.

PH 8.04 (I have the RKE keeping it at 8.05)
KH 100
AM 0
Nitrite .1-.2
Nitrate 0
Ca 680-700 (I got tired of adding drops at the end)

I know the calcium is high, how do I bring it down, water changes?

My sps is fading and some of the tips are burning/receding. Doesn't look like any of the lps or softies are affected.


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[Bill S]

Allan,

Are SURE of your test kits? Just one of them not right, can cause huge problems. I once chased an Alk problem for a couple of months, and then found out the reagent was bad. Also, make sure you salinity is right - not just a measured one from a refractometer or worse, a swing arm hydrometer. Refractometers have to be calibrated both high and low (these notes are for others that might read this).

Your nitrite should be zero - what is causing this?

The best way to "fix" water parameters is with huge (75%) water changes. But that's hard to do in a big tank.

I'd quit with the Kalk for now - swings into the upper 7s aren't at all uncommon.

[Scutterborn]

With those levels, I'd say water changes. 50 gallons at a time. Three days apart. Stop adding kalk or any thing else.

Where was your alk and mag?

Also, double check your tests

-Ben-

[grouch]

Allen, If you need to bank anything for a while I'm just the other side of the highway.

[Sherita]

Allan, check you ammonia levels. You have nitrites in the tank, so there could be ammonia too.

Also check your mag levels. If its off, it can foul up everything.

I agree with Ben. Water changes, starting now.

[Big_Pun]

how is the rke dosing kalk?? or are you letting ATO dose the kalk?

[ErikH]

I'd do 50% WC now, then 20% in 2 days, then 10% each day until it gets back on track. You have plenty of LR to cushion the blow. Skim wet, and run some carbon.


EDIT: Like Bill said, stop dosing for now.

[allan]

I've stopped the kalk pump, making water. I can do 25 gallons twice a day until the params go back to normal.

I can't test mag as my test kit is missing one of the chemicals.

Man, frustrating. Thanks for the offer, grouch. I think if I were to snap off any of the sps I would lose the whole thing.

Erik, not sure... Do you really want me to do a 200 gallon water change?


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[Zen Reef]

Hey Allan, I can come by with my test kits. Need to pick up that food from ya anyway. Let me know if you want me to bring some water too.

[Scutterborn]

I've also got 44g I ro ready if ya need. I can bring it over first thing I you'd like.


- Ben -

[FireWater]

I can top off a batch of RO as well. I teach tomorrow, bu twill be home by late afternoon. I should be good for at least 30 gallons or more if you can bring buckets.

[allan]

Thanks guys, I'm good with water, it just takes time to make it. I think Eric thought I had a 100 gallon system. Besides a water change like that seems excessive all at once unless my tank was crashing.

Tuan, that would be great. I'm here all day pulling my wife's dashboard to get to a heater core.


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[ErikH]

I just did 150g like 2 weeks ago! :)

It's a LOT of water, but it made a huge difference with my lovely cyano. I had that and dinos everywhere, and after my dinos disappeared, I did a massive wc. It took days to make the water. Bill has always said that salt is cheap, and he's right. :)

[ErikH]

another gem is "dilution is the solution to pollution"

[mkengr45]

All of a sudden your sps are croaking? No changes recently and all parameters look OK (except calcium is high).

Check for stray voltage? Recent lighting change? Let me know if you need a hand with anything...

Randy