Coral Dying

[avgreen]

Hey guys, so over the past few weeks my coral has all been closing up and I really have no idea why. My LFS said it could be due to my high alkalinity and told me to start dosing acid to lower it. I did that and the alkalinity was lowered but never noticed too much change in my corals and the alkalinity always would begin to raise if I stop dosing the acid. Is the problem actually the alkalinity or is it something else? If it is the alkalinity, is there something better I could be doing to help it. Fish are all fine. I have had the tank for over 2 years and never had this problem. I've also tried water changes and the alkalinity always raises back up. Here I attached pictures of the corals. It is a 120 gallon tank. The alkalinity yesterday was like a 10.3. Thanks!

 

[BighohoReef]

What are your other parameters? Nitrates what are they at? If those are also out of normal conditions you could see a rise in your alkalinity.

Couple other questions:
Do you use RODI water?
Have you made any other changes your to tank recently?
So many things that it could be beyond Alk... The more information the better.

 

[MTBake]

Dosing acid directly to the tank could be causing the ph to drop quite bit when dosed. I would let the alk drop on its own versus adding acid to the tank. Or lower alk by doing water changes with a lower alk salt mix. Can add the acid to new saltwater before doing a water change. Just make sure to aerate it 24hrs to bring the ph back up.

 

[avgreen]

When I would dose the acid, I would put it into 5 gallons new saltwater.

 

[avgreen]

Nitrates are at about a 10, but I have always had high nitrates and the corals have looked better when I've had higher nitrates. I have not changed anything with the tank. What other parameters would be helpful? I always use RO/DI water and nothing else I believe is out of line.

 

[ScottB]

10+ nitrate should be fine.

Got any Phosphate?

Are these corals established ones in the system, or are they newish? <4-5 months?

 

[avgreen]

I have not checked phosphates, the newest coral is the orange torch coral but I have had it since like january. Haven't had any problems until the last few weeks.

 

[avgreen]

So many things that it could be beyond Alk... The more information the better.

Dosing acid directly to the tank could be causing the ph to drop quite bit when dosed. I would let the alk drop on its own versus adding acid to the tank. Or lower alk by doing water changes with a lower alk salt mix. Can add the acid to new saltwater before doing a water change. Just make sure to aerate it 24hrs to bring the ph back up.

sorry just realized I never quoted y'all!

 

[brmreefer]

If possible, post your last and most recent test results. I test weekly so I know where my tank is at. That could help others help you.

Example:
No3 - You already provided, so ignore.
Alk
Calcium
Mag
Salinity
Temp

 

[avgreen]

If possible, post your last and most recent test results. I test weekly so I know where my tank is at. That could help others help you.

Example:
No3 - You already provided, so ignore.
Alk
Calcium
Mag
Salinity
Temp

Gotcha, I'll test everything and post tomorrow.