pH trouble, then more trouble

[apedroza]

What are you using to dose calcium and Alk???

[matt]

I would suggest that you dose a 2 part Ca and Alk solution to get your Ca and Alk in balance, say around 400 PPM Ca and 8-10 dkh of Alk. You can use b-ionic or make an inexpensive solution using baking soda, Calcium chloride, and R.O. water. Here's the recipe:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

Once your levels are stable, you'll find that your ph stays in normal range unless there is a CO2 issue in your room. Ph in saltwater with normal alkalinity is ALWAYS a measure of dissolved CO2. Heavily stocked tanks tend to release CO2 into the water through respiration of the animals, and using kalk (Calcium Hydroxide powder dissolved in R.O. water) as your top off can really help by using dissolved CO2 to produce carbonate ions in the water.

You probably know this, but ph will swing normally in a tank with photosynthesis because that process uses CO2 and releases O2; this raises the ph during the day when the lights are on and drops it at night when the lights are off. This can be as much as 7.8-8.4 during a normal light cycle. So, if you got an unexpectedly low ph reading in the morning, there might be nothing to worry about.

[Bill S]

Dr. Mark, one thing no one has mentioned:

The reason I keep my xenia in my 55 well trimmed, is that they absorb toxins. That's cool, but when they die, they can crash the whole tank, as they then re-release those toxins.

In your shoes, I'd continue doing large water changes - like you are doing. I'd also run a bunch of carbon.

[DrMark]

Dr. Mark, one thing no one has mentioned:

The reason I keep my xenia in my 55 well trimmed, is that they absorb toxins. That's cool, but when they die, they can crash the whole tank, as they then re-release those toxins.

In your shoes, I'd continue doing large water changes - like you are doing. I'd also run a bunch of carbon.

Was out of town couple of days. I had done 2 large water changes prior to leaving.
Prior to leaving I thought things were looking a little better.
Just got back and was hoping to see things better.
Things look bad. Will move what still looks viable to big tank.
Might be right about the xenia, all died. Was not that much of it. But was first to go.
Ca at 460, dKH 10. All other tests fine except now ammonia is 0.35 and Nitrate at 5 (always previously zero), but with the death and decay...........
Really do not want to move the few fish (pair clowns, diamond goby, few blue damsels) into big tank. RBTA looking very stressed, so will try to move it if I can.
Last Mg was 1125.
Very dissappointed by all these events.
Mark

[alton]

Okay might have some good news or something hopeful. I had your problem a couple months ago when I sold a bunch of fish, my nitrates disapeared and with out it my Xenia died and everything else looked bad. GSP closed up, Kenyan trees looked dead or dying misc. polyps closed. The only thing that did not look that bad was my Frogspawn. Two months later everything is back and looks even better. I now have twice as many Kenyan trees as before the GSP and other misc. polyps are open and thriving. My Candy Cane and Brains are doing great. I have a little bit of algae on the sand and one rock but it is clearing up slowly. I do run a phosban reactor. Hope it all works out.

[DrMark]

I just moved all the corals to the sand bed of the big tank (lighting much more intense with the halides vs. T5s). Really didnt like how things were looking. I really believe everything was going to die, could have been wrong.
Hate to put anything stressed or sick in the big tank, but as no isolation tank currently, had no choice. Big tank is a 214gal with 60 gal fuge/sump that has been stable and healthy for long time. I think it could handle it. Even moved the RBTA, but left the fish behind, they dont seem bothered by the mystery crash.

I very much appreciate all the comments. I have been at fish long time, but new to reefs a little over a year. I am a perfectionist and struggle with failure.........
mark

[matt]

Everybody has had a tank crash at some point, don't feel too bad. Bill's suggestion of carbon is a good one. Sometimes things happen in this hobby with very little explanation.

[DrMark]

Dr. Mark, one thing no one has mentioned:

The reason I keep my xenia in my 55 well trimmed, is that they absorb toxins. That's cool, but when they die, they can crash the whole tank, as they then re-release those toxins.

In your shoes, I'd continue doing large water changes - like you are doing. I'd also run a bunch of carbon.

Oh, and I did run carbon on that tank and had replaced it about 6 weeks ago.
mark