Been Awhile - Need some advice

[IndyReef78]

Hi all! It's been quite a while since my last post when we were still getting our newest reef tank set up. It's been up and successfully running for several years now (210 gallons, 40 gallon? sump). Everything has been going well, but lately, we've started losing a couple of corals that had been thriving and there is an algae issue. The back wall has longer (brownish?) algae and there is some on the corals and rock. I admittedly haven't tested in quite a while and when I last did, noticed that my test kits had expired. Everything had been growing and thriving, so I tried to just leave it alone. Now, there is clearly an issue.

When I last tested a couple of months ago, the levels were all what I would consider good/normal. Granted, the test kits were slightly expired, but nothing really looked off. Any ideas what could be happening to cause the algae to grow? Any new recommendations for replacing testing supplies? I had a mix of Red Sea, Salifert and Hanna - are those still the best options? What about an automated system? We have a Red Sea system and I would love to automate testing, but I haven't looked into any of that stuff recently as all had been going well. The large green and orange coral (can't remember the name) on the left of the tank has completely died in the last couple of weeks, but otherwise, the clam, a starfish, all the cleanup crew and fish and other corals seem to be doing fine. Where to start to figure out the problem? Video from this spring when all was going well, although you can see some of the algae beginning on the fans/cord.

When I last tested a couple of months ago, the levels were all what I would consider good/normal. Granted, the test kits were slightly expired, but nothing really looked off. Any ideas what could be happening to cause the algae to grow? Any new recommendations for replacing testing supplies? I had a mix of Red Sea, Salifert and Hanna - are those still the best options? What about an automated system? We have a Red Sea system and I would love to automate testing, but I haven't looked into any of that stuff recently as all had been going well.

 

[tripdad]

My first thought is when were your DI resins and filters changed last? We tend to let everything go not just testing when we get busy.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

Id get nitrate and po4 looked at

I use salifert for nitrate. Just make sure you aren't 0.

And hanna ulr for po4. Also looking to not be 0.

You have some decent sized fish so id be surprised if you were nutrient limited, but also a good amount of coral consuming it.

Salinity and alk to

 

[IndyReef78]

Id get nitrate and po4 looked at

I use salifert for nitrate. Just make sure you aren't 0.

And hanna ulr for po4. Also looking to not be 0.

You have some decent sized fish so id be surprised if you were nutrient limited, but also a good amount of coral consuming it.

Salinity and alk to

Thank you for the advice. We recently (in the last couple of weeks) lost two of our tangs - one died from unknown causes, the other jumped, and two other smaller fish jumped. It was a rough month, but we are down a bit, so that probably isn't helping. We do plan to replace with some larger tangs, maybe an angel or two.

 

[IndyReef78]

My first thought is when were your DI resins and filters changed last? We tend to let everything go not just testing when we get busy.

Good question and the answer is, I have no idea! My husband runs the water. I know I bought some new filters/resin recently, but I don't know if he actually changed them or not. We also need to do a water change - I'll definitely check into all of that this weekend. Thanks!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Thank you for the advice. We recently (in the last couple of weeks) lost two of our tangs - one died from unknown causes, the other jumped, and two other smaller fish jumped. It was a rough month, but we are down a bit, so that probably isn't helping. We do plan to replace with some larger tangs, maybe an angel or two.

How long did you have those fish?

My guess is a water quality issue.

Get your nitrates and phosphates checked out. Wouldn't be a bad idea to get an ICP test done as well.

 

[IndyReef78]

How long did you have those fish?

My guess is a water quality issue.

Get your nitrates and phosphates checked out. Wouldn't be a bad idea to get an ICP test done as well.

We had the two tangs for at least 2 years. The other two were smaller, newer fish, both of which jumped - actually 3 of the 4 jumped over a period of time. I am considering getting an ICP test, as we've never done one. BRS was out of stock, but I'm probably going to try to snag one when they are back in stock. Thank you!