To Shut Down or Not to Shut Down. That is the Question.

[Mike Lemming]

downgraded from a few bigger tanks to just a 10g nano was the best move in this hobby for me.

I wouldn't go that small but going from the 6ft, 125g to a 3ft 70g really got me thinking. I'm going to stick it out with the 125 for a while longer and see how it goes!

 

[Spikewire]

Hey Mike,
I just noticed this thread. Let's touch base and I'll try to help. I definitely have a few frags for you once the system settles in. I stopped in at the club meeting yesterday in Tewksbury but couldn't stay long. Hope things non-tank related are going great. - Chris Nawn

 

[Mike Lemming]

Hey Mike,
I just noticed this thread. Let's touch base and I'll try to help. I definitely have a few frags for you once the system settles in. I stopped in at the club meeting yesterday in Tewksbury but couldn't stay long. Hope things non-tank related are going great. - Chris Nawn

I appreciate it Chris! I'll shoot you a message

 

[Mike Lemming]

Good morning Everyone! I just got back an ICP test and it only shows that Flouride and Iodine are a little low. This is wild.. Why can't I keep any hard corals alive?

Triton Lab Showroom - Explore this water test results and click on the image above.

Someone wants to show you the water test results and shared this link to the evaluation. Click on the image above to explore the water test results.

www.triton-lab.de

 

[dz6t]

Good morning Everyone! I just got back an ICP test and it only shows that Flouride and Iodine are a little low. This is wild.. Why can't I keep any hard corals alive?

Triton Lab Showroom - Explore this water test results and click on the image above.

Someone wants to show you the water test results and shared this link to the evaluation. Click on the image above to explore the water test results.

www.triton-lab.de

Because ICP doesn’t tell you much due to the way how these hobby grade tests done.
For a somewhat accurate result for testing seawater, you are looking at hundreds $ to more than a grand.
If these $50 tests can tell you anything is a miracle.

 

[Mike Lemming]

Because ICP doesn’t tell you much due to the way how these hobby grade tests done.
For a somewhat accurate result for testing seawater, you are looking at hundreds $ to more than a grand.
If these $50 tests can tell you anything is a miracle.

What do you rely on?
Thanks for the help!

 

[dz6t]

Instead of spending money on ICP, I spent my money on salt. Do water changes.

 

[NeverlosT]

ps. almost everyone is low on iodine and flouride in their ICP tests it seems. And usually high in Aluminum.

I'd do WC with a good salt like dong said and pursue a good ratio of N : P and results will follow.

Ben

 

[Mike Lemming]

ps. almost everyone is low on iodine and flouride in their ICP tests it seems. And usually high in Aluminum.

I'd do WC with a good salt like dong said and pursue a good ratio of N : P and results will follow.

Ben

Most recent No3 and P04 reading (Wednesday) was 18 Nitrate and .037 Phosphate.. Not great but definitely not horrible.. right?

 

[afboundguy]

Good morning Everyone! I just got back an ICP test and it only shows that Flouride and Iodine are a little low. This is wild.. Why can't I keep any hard corals alive?

Triton Lab Showroom - Explore this water test results and click on the image above.

Someone wants to show you the water test results and shared this link to the evaluation. Click on the image above to explore the water test results.

www.triton-lab.de

I have been having issues with LPS (acans and euphylias) loosing polyps and/or melting and SPS dying. Have no issues with a clam, gorgonians, NPS and softies but all my big three, phosphates and nitrates were fine. Big three were off due to Hanna kit issue but they were consistent.

I have been reading that GFO particles can cause issues and even Polo Reef is having issues with GFO particles. I took my GFO offline a few days and got a few tester easy SPS and the SPS are doing fine and tank looks noticeably clearer and better already and hoping that was my issue...

 

[Mike Lemming]

I have been having issues with LPS (acans and euphylias) loosing polyps and/or melting and SPS dying. Have no issues with a clam, gorgonians, NPS and softies but all my big three, phosphates and nitrates were fine. Big three were off due to Hanna kit issue but they were consistent.

I have been reading that GFO particles can cause issues and even Polo Reef is having issues with GFO particles. I took my GFO offline a few days and got a few tester easy SPS and the SPS are doing fine and tank looks noticeably clearer and better already and hoping that was my issue...

That's good to hear! Low Po4 has been my issue so i haven't ran GFO in months. Can't wait until I figure out what my issue is. Hopefully it's something easy that I am just over looking!

 

[dz6t]

Most recent No3 and P04 reading (Wednesday) was 18 Nitrate and .037 Phosphate.. Not great but definitely not horrible.. right?

I think these levels are fine.

 

[NeverlosT]

I agree. Just keep in mind that most of our test kits are only accurate to like .02 or so at best. So a reading of 0.02 might mean basically none.

Thats why I think you are getting into good terrirory at 0.04 but would be safer a bit higher in case it wanders.

Good luck!

 

[Mike Lemming]

I think these levels are fine.

That's what I think as well. It makes me lean towards something mechanically wrong whether thats lighting, flow or something like this.

 

[Mike Lemming]

I agree. Just keep in mind that most of our test kits are only accurate to like .02 or so at best. So a reading of 0.02 might mean basically none.

Thats why I think you are getting into good terrirory at 0.04 but would be safer a bit higher in case it wanders.

Good luck!

Definitely working on raising the Po4. I just ran out of phosphate to dose so putting together an order now.

 

[dz6t]

Heater? AC return pumps? Ceramic media blocks?

 

[Mike Lemming]

Heater? AC return pumps? Ceramic media blocks?

I'll have to check them out. Heater is those brick style Hyggar heater that you recommended. Return pump is about a year old, Jeboa DC pump. And I don't run any sort of media other than rock.

 

[dz6t]

I'll have to check them out. Heater is those brick style Hyggar heater that you recommended. Return pump is about a year old, Jeboa DC pump. And I don't run any sort of media other than rock.

Then the problem may be some where else.
How about use a magnet to run around the sump to see if you pickup anything. Look inside the overflow as well.
Also check all the valves to see if any of them has copper lining.

 

[zedxplorer]

Just a random thought, do you run activated carbon? I have noticed that when I run carbon, it seems to adsorb trace elements out of the water, and my corals will bleach. But that's my anecdotal experience, not much of a scientific basis. Any of that can probably be ruled out with a large water change like Dong suggested, which should replenish most of it.

 

[dz6t]

Depending on which carbon.
I currently use carbon bags for Aquaclear filters and they work great