Aquarium Issue.

[mchabot1987]

Good morning reefers,

Got an issue that I'm not understanding what's going on. In the last 2-3 weeks it looks like my tank is slowly digressing. I lost a Torch about 2 weeks ago, a hammer last week and now this week another Torch doesn't look good. Also a lot of other Zoa's, and other softies, Ducans ect just don't look as good as they did.

Tank is about 8 months old, was cycled correctly. I use hanna checkers for Phosphates and Nitrates, Salifert for the other tests. My most recent test last Sunday (14th December 2025) was:

DKh 10
Cal 500 ppm (Not sure why this is high)
Mag 1350 ppm
Nitrate 31 ppm
PH 8.2 (Not accurate)
Phosphate 0.05 ppm
Salinity 0.05 ppm
Temp 78.2

Tank has been completely fine, everything was growing polyp extension was great. Haven't changed any thing in the tank so not sure what's going on. The most recent thing that happened was my Phosphates were super high when I went out of town for a week. They were at .22pp. so I added Phosgaurd and a 20% water change as soon as I got back to slowly bring it down. (Came down to 0.05 ppm I'm about 2 weeks)

My equipment:

Red Sea Reefer 350 G2

3 AI Prime 16HD 11" off the water (Saxbys light schedule)

1 Jebao SCP 120 gyre, 1 Jebao SLW-20 (Opposite ends)

Jebao MPD-6500 return pump

Reef Mat 500

Bubble Magus Curve 7 Skimmer

Recirculating CO2 Scrubber

Carbon/GFO Reactor

UV sterilizer

10% water change weekly (Red Sea Blue bucket)

1TDS RODI water?

Coral inertia 10ml a week

Benereef coral food once a week

Max Amino 5ml soaked with frozen food

Garlic Gaurd 5ml soaked with frozen food

Micro Bacter 10ml a week after water change.

Any help would definitely be appreciated.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Phosphate of .2 is not super high IMO, personally the nitrate of 30 would be more a concern to me. I think a tank picture would really help, your nutrients seem high to me despite excellent filtration and weekly water changes, something is not adding up for me.

How are the fish and inverts? Or we talking about corals only? Did the corals grow before they started to decline?

 

[Maderan]

uhh, not sure on the conversion but is the salinity you put in the above post correct? Seems way off at .05 ppm...

 

[mmorrison55]

Might be time to do an ICP test to get a better look at what all is in your tank.

Ive just ordered my 1st after almost a year since starting it up.

 

[mchabot1987]

uhh, not sure on the conversion but is the salinity you put in the above post correct? Seems way off at .05 ppm...

Typo lol 1.025

 

[mchabot1987]

Might be time to do an ICP test to get a better look at what all is in your tank.

Ive just ordered my 1st after almost a year since starting it up.

Good idea I'll order one right now.

 

[mchabot1987]

Phosphate of .2 is not super high IMO, personally the nitrate of 30 would be more a concern to me. I think a tank picture would really help, your nutrients seem high to me despite excellent filtration and weekly water changes, something is not adding up for me.

How are the fish and inverts? Or we talking about corals only? Did the corals grow before they started to decline?

Yes corals we're doing great, fish and inverts seem fine also. I'll order the ICP and go from there. I'll post my findings

 

[RuralReefer1]

Was the tank started with live or dry rock?
Also if you’re having issues I highly recommend testing everyday to actually track changes in your water chemistry. As of now you have a five day stretch of not knowing what’s happening. That could help you figure out what the issue is.
8 months is relatively young still. My 125 was unable to reliably support torches until the year and a half to two year mark. And with it being young changes could be happening everyday to your chemistry without your knowledge. And as you know changes to chemistry are was more detrimental that the specific number it’s self.
Keep us updated!