corals and nems not thriving

[reeferforever]

Hello, I’ve got a tank and my corals and nem hasnt been doing good. My candy canes heads are falling off and my nems pretty small that usual. My lighting is a prime 16hd.

Ammonia:0
Nitrite:0
Nitrate:34
Salinity:1.026
Phosphate:0.2
Alk:8.3
Calcium:425
Magnesium/1447
Ph;7.9

 

[RockBox13]

Your pH is too low. Need to raise your alkalinity. What size and filtration equipment do you have on there?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

What size is your tank? Can we see a tank pic? Pics of the corals? How old is the tank? Can you share the water parameters?

 

[reeferforever]

What size is your tank? Can we see a tank pic? Pics of the corals? How old is the tank? Can you share the water parameters?

Parameters are there below the main text

 

[reeferforever]

Your pH is too low. Need to raise your alkalinity. What size and filtration equipment do you have on there?

i run bio balls, neo pure, sponges, filter floss and carbon

 

[reeferforever]

What size is your tank? Can we see a tank pic? Pics of the corals? How old is the tank? Can you share the water parameters?

tank is 1.5 years old, Had to change both rocks but sand and filtration is all aged.

 

[reeferforever]

ill send that when im back home.

 

[RockBox13]

I feel like since you don’t have a skimmer, you want to get as much flow going at the surface of the water as possible to help oxygen exchange. What are you using for alkalinity?

 

[reeferforever]

I feel like since you don’t have a skimmer, you want to get as much flow going at the surface of the water as possible to help oxygen exchange. What are you using for alkalinity?

i have a uv sterilizer. and a wavemaker. Im not using anything for alk.

 

[reeferforever]

I feel like since you don’t have a skimmer, you want to get as much flow going at the surface of the water as possible to help oxygen exchange. What are you using for alkalinity?

Also some context. i have done a 3 day blackout since dinos have been irritating my nem and corals. After it hasn’t been opening

 

[RockBox13]

wavemaker

Your pH at 7.9 is too low right now. I know some people get away with low pH, but I’m certain that’s what your issue is. Alkalinity is what you need to maintain the most in a reef. Try and grab some on the way home and I can help you with dosing it if you need.

 

[BryanM]

If your dinos are ostreposis, they are also toxic and can bother other tank inhabitants.

 

[bubbgee]

Also some context. i have done a 3 day blackout since dinos have been irritating my nem and corals. After it hasn’t been opening

That's probably why. Dinos are taking nutrients away from your corals and irritating them. have to wait until you progressed out of that phase before re-evaluating.

Run carbon too in case toxins from the dinos are hurting your corals.

 

[reeferforever]

Your pH at 7.9 is too low right now. I know some people get away with low pH, but I’m certain that’s what your issue is. Alkalinity is what you need to maintain the most in a reef. Try and grab some on the way home and I can help you with dosing it if you need.

what do i need? i heard lime or baking soda can help

 

[reeferforever]

If your dinos are ostreposis, they are also toxic and can bother other tank inhabitants.

No dinos anymore that are visible after blackout

 

[RockBox13]

what do i need? i heard lime or baking soda can help

That’s essentially what it is. However, buffers for saltwater aquariums are blended in a way where they won’t overshoot your pH. Do you have an LFS? It’s available at any Petco or Petsmart. https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petco...eFb8kYJvMg-9hG2PKPCMOdyYg8XT1jeUaAinREALw_wcB

 

[JonoH]

Coral needs light, so they wont be happy with the Blackout period anyway.

I find my Candy Cane corals are super sensetive to light also, have you checked the PAR in your tank at all?

 

[reeferforever]

That’s essentially what it is. However, buffers for saltwater aquariums are blended in a way where they won’t overshoot your pH. Do you have an LFS? It’s available at any Petco or Petsmart. https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/seachem-reef-buffer-8-floz-3234232?store_code=1169&mr:device=m&mr:adType=pla_with_promotionlocal&cm_mmc=PSH|GGL|CCY|CCO|PM|0|axsvnXfjRWFFwpetHmZu75|||0|0|||21467366052&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD97F17Y0G_aP18K2exToSnm2OIlM&gclid=Cj0KCQjws-S-BhD2ARIsALssG0YYtNoSFHSxMfbTn_sSgIqeFb8kYJvMg-9hG2PKPCMOdyYg8XT1jeUaAinREALw_wcB

how much baking powder should i put? do i dissolve in water and pour it in?

 

[RockBox13]

how much baking powder should i put? do i dissolve in water and pour it in?

Yes, you dissolve it in water and add to the tank. It will have instructions on it and I will tell you how much you need to put. It should be about 5-10 grams depending on if you buy liquid buffer or dry buffer.

 

[Science/G]

Check your pH again during the middle to end of your light cycle. Your alkalinity is fine at 8.3. if you start dosing baking soda yes your pH will rise but so will alkalinity. I think the lack of a protein skimmer here oxygenating the water is part of your issue
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-to-raise-ph-without-raising-alkalinity.470490/