Old Salt! Newbie Question!

[Texreefer]

So, There may be very few of you that know me.. I have been out of the hobby for a while!. recently set up a new small red sea cube. my problem is, I can't keep a single coral(even easy ones).or inverts alive! that might be a shocker for those that remember my tanks. here are the details

Red sea cube 28 gal total volume
auto top off so no salinity fluctuation. steady at 1.026
MP10 for additional flow
AI Prime for lighting running at about 20-25% with red, green, UV running at 10-15%
tank has been running about 2 months and has been through the usual algae bloom
Temp is steady at 78 on controller and verified
running an octopus skimmer that is producing steady skimate
filter sock cleaned regularly every week with a small amount of carbon
tank fully cycled and nitrates have been 0 for over a month
phosphate not detectable
calcium in the 460-480 range
alk in the 10-12 dkh range
I have 3 fish.. 1 bangii and a pair of premium snowflakes. they have been in tank over a month and thriving!

snails, some cheap zoas, frogspawn,etc. nothing will stay alive. fish are doing great.. i'm puzzled

[Jasonb]

Maybe your water is to clean, being po and no are 0

Nice to see a reefer closer to me lol.

[Zack]

Are you using RODI? Have you checked your filters lately? For the in-water equipment is it new or used? If used are you able to verify with the previous owner it was not used on an aquarium with copper?

[FarmerTy]

Alk is pretty high... not that corals can't live in alk at that level but was more concerned about the transition for new corals coming from 8-9dKh.

[Zack]

I missed the part about the snails dying. Those guys are usually pretty hardy. Any chance you can test for copper?

[Texreefer]

all new equipment.... USING RO

Are you using RODI? Have you checked your filters lately? For the in-water equipment is it new or used? If used are you able to verify with the previous owner it was not used on an aquarium with copper?

[Texreefer]

alk is a little high but all animals were drip acclimated for at least an hour

[Texreefer]

dont' have a copper test but don't know of any way copper could have been introduced..

[mkengr45]

Got a volt meter? Maybe check for stray voltage or current. Is the power on a gfci outlet? I'd also look at metals in the water...

[Texreefer]

I will check voltage don't think it could be anything else... all is brand new

[Zack]

The only thing I can think is metals somehow making their way into your tank.

[mkengr45]

Agree with Zack...I had a tiger shark magnetic cleaner that was rusting and wiped out tons of coral a while back. Any cracked magfloat mags, pump housings, etc?

[FarmerTy]

all new equipment.... USING RO
RO with DI stage? 0 TDS coming out?

[Texreefer]

Agree with Zack...I had a tiger shark magnetic cleaner that was rusting and wiped out tons of coral a while back. Any cracked magfloat mags, pump housings, etc?
I will check but all is brand new

[Texreefer]

Ah now theres a thought.. I'm using store bought water from the machine at HEB... need to check!

[Zack]

I would personally never reccomend HEB machine water. Had some issues with it and the windmill a few years back.