What the.....is going on

[cowboy572]

As the title states I am trying to get an understanding of what's going on in my 150. Around Sept - Oct of this year I started neglecting the tank due to family functions/commitments, and now I am paying for it. Because of it I have been fighting a cyano outbreak, and I have seem to got the upper hand on it at the moment thanks to new filters on my ro/di unit and the last couple of days I have been carbon dosing. I have been following RC instructions for carbon dosing. But I still have issues. Some of my hearty zoa colonies I had for years are melting and not opening. All the live rock I have accumulated throughout the years that have developed deep purple colors, have suddenly losing their color. Then tonight my maxima clam I have had for two years or more suddenly let go of the rock it's been attached to. It's been through two tank moves and it's been stuck to that rock. I know I need to get my water tested, but can not do till the weekend since the test kit I have is outdated. I am just trying to get a general feel what might be out of whack. Phosphates? Nitrates? Ph levels? All three? I know a water test will have all the answers, but I'm just trying to get an idea on what's going on.

Also, who else besides AD does water testing??


Also no drunken clam jokes since I am dosing vodka, lol

[rrasco]

Do you think the zoas are dying because of water conditions or because they are being covered by algae? Carbon dosing takes a while to start having an effect. Straight up dosing or BP, it's essentially another cycle of probiotic bacteria.

As a general guideline, lots of water changes and GFO. The problem I've run into is, once you've got the algae, it's a lot harder to get rid of than it is to prevent. What would generally prevent algae doesn't always eradicate it.

I can test your water for you. IIRC you're close by, I'm at New Guilbeau/1604.

[cowboy572]

Robert, I think there dying due to water conditions. I have started seeing somewhat of a turnaround, but usually how long does it take for me to see major advancements.

I have stepped up my water changes, but I'm a little confused on how often I can do them without throwing everything else out of balance. GFO and reactor is on the wishlist, but with just a single income it's a little hard to come by.

Robert I'm close by, Guilbeau/ Old Tezel, so PM or I'll PM you when we could meet up and test my water.

[Zen Reef]

I would do a large water change (50% if you can) to combat water conditions. W/e the issue is, you'll dilute it by 50%.

[EpicWin]

Are u sure its cyano and not dinoflagilates. Dino's release toxins into the water. Nasty little devils. Run more carbon in a reactor if possible. And now is a good time to take a good look at all equip in tank. Make sure a pump or heater or anything else for that matter isn't rusting. Neglect for 1 or 2 months usually doesn't of this kind of damage. Unless u were feeding an insane amount or something.

[cowboy572]

Want to send a thanks out to Robert in testing my water for me. Water conditions are good, but we didn't get to test for phosphates. But after doing some reading and research on RC I believe I have a green diatom bloom and possibly dinoflagellates. I understand my tank is new and the diatom blooms are part of a new tank break in. But the only thing that's new is the tank, everything else carried over from my 90. So I'm a little confused on that one. But it's the dinoflagellates that have me scratching my head. Where do they come from and how do you get rid of it. Santa was good this year so I'm adding a controller (reefkeeper lite) and some type of GFO reactor.