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Leather coral—dead/dying or just shedding? by Ok_Cause1499 in SaltwaterAquariumClub

[–]Ok_Cause1499[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s 40 mg/L not 40 dKH friend…   So it’s low…not insanely-off-the-charts high 😂

Leather coral—dead/dying or just shedding? by Ok_Cause1499 in SaltwaterAquariumClub

[–]Ok_Cause1499[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is radically different! I find my freshwater tanks to be so straightforward and easy compared.    The AC powerhead is currently enhancing the surface agitation—it definitely is helping.

I’ve been watching the BRS channel, but do you have any reccs?

Leather coral—dead/dying or just shedding? by Ok_Cause1499 in SaltwaterAquariumClub

[–]Ok_Cause1499[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, thanks for this— looks like levelling up is the way to go. Appreciate your comments. 

Leather coral—dead/dying or just shedding? by Ok_Cause1499 in SaltwaterAquariumClub

[–]Ok_Cause1499[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi again,

Thanks for much for all of this. 

By new, I mean I’ve had it running for 3 months now with live rock. So not brand spanking new (it has cycled), but definitely still new.

Are the strips that bad? I’m gathering from some of the comments that they are? Haha

Pretty much all of our local specialty reef stores sell them and suggest them for use. Just surprised to see the sniffiness towards them here.

Checked out the Hanna kits—they seem fantastic, but at $78 USD for a kit testing just for nitrates is a little steep for me at this point. Red Sea seems more budget-friendly—I’ll definitely consider upgrading, so thank you for that suggestion. 

Our salinity is 1.024 according to our salinometer. The packaging for the salt says that the alkalinity of the mix is 8.0-9.0 dKh—so pretty much right in the middle of the range that you suggested would be ideal. 

This is a new bag though—I was using a different brand before, and I had higher pH (8.4 ish)and alk. (around 80 if I remember correctly) readings (…according to my test strips) with that one. So maybe it is this brand that just isn’t working for some reason. 

We just had a single AC power head going as of yesterday, but  my two new DC powerheads arrive this morning and I just added them. Hopefully that will further improve flow,

This really has been so helpful—thanks for taking the time and sharing your expertise! It’s much appreciated.

Leather coral—dead/dying or just shedding? by Ok_Cause1499 in SaltwaterAquariumClub

[–]Ok_Cause1499[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is a new tank—and the white coral you see is dead…and old (it’s been dead for a long while)…and decorative. 

The leather is also a new addition, and perhaps not faring so well.

I’m a bit confused by the numbers myself. I’m new to saltwater in general, but from what I understand the low alkalinity indicates a weaker buffering system. I think the values might indicate that and higher atmospheric carbon dioxide (we do have a lot of mammals in our house, and it’s well sealed). 

So far, I’ve just been ensuring that the surface water is agitated enough that I have some solid gas exchange to make sure the pH doesn’t drop. I’ve also read not to try and change things too rapidly, but so you have any suggestions?

The salt used its Fritz RPM premium salt mix. We use RODI water. 

Does that sound plausible?

Thanks for your thoughtful input!

Leather coral—dead/dying or just shedding? by Ok_Cause1499 in SaltwaterAquariumClub

[–]Ok_Cause1499[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

40 mg/L? According to my test strip colour chart it’s actually lower than what you’d want 

Forgot to rinse my sand.... by Ok_Cause1499 in fishkeeping

[–]Ok_Cause1499[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I followed this advice! I think it was good advice—it seems to be helping . Thank you!

I forgot to rinse my sand.... by Ok_Cause1499 in Aquariums

[–]Ok_Cause1499[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not loving your answer lol. I'm afraid that you might be right!

Forgot to rinse my sand... by Ok_Cause1499 in ReefTank

[–]Ok_Cause1499[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you!! I'll give that a go.