can anyone recomend a coral I have no success

[s_kelley]

Good water quality is a must if your looking to keep even "easy" corals. So I'd start w doing water changes like once a week using rodi. Get a cheap Rodi unit and make your own. I think you can get them on eBay for under $100
Do you have an auto top off or are you adding 5 gallons right into the tank? Corals and even fish like stable water conditions so if your evap is 5 gallons before you are adding fresh water your salinity levels might be skyrocketing. Remember it's only fresh water that evaporates the salt stays. Your on the right start keep asking questions there's a ton of knowledge on this forum

 

[this is me]

Your problem is the water source. Tap water contains lots of sediments and heavy metals and other undesirable organic matters.
And again, you keep avoiding the most important question I asked. Has copper ever been used in the tank for your fish?

 

[dz6t]

Are you living in Billerica?

 

[frank180reef]

I use to live in billerica, you do have to use rodi..........

 

[dz6t]

I use to live in billerica, you do have to use rodi..........

yes, Billerica's tap water is terrible even for freshwater fish.

 

[delta]

No I do not use rodi I wish I could. I top off like 5 gallons of water every three days. If I buy rodi at my lfs I would be broke.

Start here get a RODI unit. as you are adding all types of things that will harm your tank above and beyond just straight out nutrients. You will save more money in the long run by not having to keep buying new corals.

Then get a full work up of your parameters done by a LFS. The BRS sponsors are good as you know their reputation here. And many are just reefers that made it a business and care as much about the health of your tank as any other reefer.

 

[Intheflesh]

A lot of the forum sponsors will test water for you.

To help get your parameters back on check, I would do a larger water change (like 20-25%), wait a week-10 days, and do a second large water change.

For regular maintenance, I will often do small 10% WCs twice a month. Also be sure to use RODI water for you top off.

Most of the site sponsors sell RODI and Premixed salt water if you're like me and unable to set up your own "water station" at home. I usually go to Unique aquaria (tewksbury), Lovethereef (wilmington) or Jays (salem NH). All three are hobbyists first, and are very helpful if you have questions.

 

[SquareFace]

When you say I need good nutrient export. Can you explain what that means and how it would be accomplished. I have a protein skimmer. I tried growing cheato its just dies off slow.** Weird the phostphate test kit is a red sea kit everything else is api. I will have to upgrade my test kit game. No I do not use rodi I wish I could. I top off like 5 gallons of water every three days. If I buy rodi at my lfs I would be broke.

Are you using regular tap water on your tank?

 

[Gsxkid]

I live in dracut now but I do use the tap water with conditioner. No tank was purchased new no copper has ever been added. Sounds like I need an rodi unit. I'm looking to set up my 110 soon too .

 

[Jeff.:P]

heres a great unit and fairly cheap. I run basically the same unit and love it.

http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/showthread.php?143385-Typhoon-III-RODI&highlight=typhoon

 

[saltwaterB]

Just make sure if you buy an RO/DI unit you get one that has a carbon filter that actually removes Chloramines...as 90% of the RO units on the market (especially the cheapo Ebay ones) do not come with the proper Carbon block for Chloramine removal. And if you do not remove the Chloramines you basically ruin your brand new RO/DI, as the Chloramines will destroy the TFC RO membrane, thus making the membrane in effective....I see this all the time when people bring in there water and we start trying to trouble shoot problems....NOT THAT THIS WAS YOUR PROBLEM, as you don't have an ro yet...so it is just the tap water that is causing most of your issues...I just needed to post this as no one seems to fully explain these types of things..and it is very important to know before you make your purchase....


You are more than welcome to bring both your tank water and your tap water by the shop and we will be glad to take a look at them with you....and go over many many different variables that may have been making it difficult for you to keep Corals.

 

[Gsxkid]

I was just at your shop talking to you about an ro and auto top off.

 

[saltwaterB]

mods, please delete the multiple posts....must have been something up with the internet...as I got a few PM's that came through in triplicate around the same time...lol

GSXkid...ahhh, now I know who you are....lol

Cliff went over a bunch of stuff with you, I did not get a chance to go over as much as I would have liked, especially now knowing that you are the same person that was on here... Next time you are in we can go a bit more in depth as to any particular problems...
I think the lack of water changes plus the source of the water pretty much answers your issues....I was always concerned with residual chemicals that could be on your hands....as I remember you coming in in the past and you were covered in oil and grease and reeked like diesel fuel. If any of that got into the tank,it would be very difficult to keep Corals happy

 

[Gsxkid]

Hahahaha yeah I quit that job like 6 months ago do you think I should be worried that something may have gotten or still is in my tank. The name came from almost ten years ago I had an eclipse gsx

 

[Gsxkid]

How did you think I knew petco bought live aquaria i just lurk on here.

 

[Jeff.:P]

holy triple post

 

[reefstarter]

ha ha B just wants to get his point across lol . your in good hands with B he'll set you straight