Need advice with problems after swapping to new tank

[butts182]

About 3 weeks ago, I transferred my entire coral collection to a 40 breeder (36" long x 18" deep x 16" high) from my 30 gallon (36" long x 12" deep x 16" high). I used all new sand (fiji pink) and mostly new water (natural seawater). I ran the tank with the new water and sand for about 4 hours only before I put my rocks and corals into the new tank. Overnight, I had my corals in buckets and a cooler. I also have a new skimmer (SWC 150 BMK) and a larger return pump. I am using the same lighting (250w MH and 2 T5s. The corals have slowly been browning out (acans, sps, zoas, and chalices) and I don't know why. Is it because the tank is cycling or some other reason. I got the water tested a couple of weeks ago.

Ph = 8.0
Alk = 9.1
Salinity = 1.025
Cal = 500

The nitrates were very close to 0. I did not get the nitrites tested at that time since I figured they were all in check. I have never tested magnesium either. The phosphates were in check. I usually do a 5g water change per week with natural seawater and dose 2 part every morning.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SlackTide]

toughie? your old sand bed was probably a nitrogen sink, Id guess the now surplus nitrates are being consumed by the corals(nutrient poor tanks have better color) even though your not really reading a lot of trates they are there and being consumed, Id suggest running the suggested amount of puragen and recharging it weekly by bleaching it (buy 2x the amount you require so its always on the tank) good luck!

 

[butts182]

Can anyone else help?

 

[Paul_N]

It could be a couple things. Even though you are using the same live rock, using new sand could cause it to go through a mini cycle. Also are the parameters of the new tank you posted above the same as the old? I transferred the entire contents of my 75 into a temp 110 gallon rubbermade. I used all new water and just put a small amount of the old sand in for my clams. Mostly it is bare bottom. I made sure my temp setup had the same Ca,Mag,alk,temp,ph, and salinity. If there is a big difference in parameters it could cause the coral to brown also and they will just need some time to settle in and color back up.

 

[stedfast82]

I would of used the old water and sand .if you have a friend that can take your coral i would do so asap. just my 2 cent's . I have done tank swap's to go bigger in size and it seem's to all way's go south on my coral when i went from a 75 to my 110 i lost a lot of coral do to alk swing's and level's going up and down and a new cycle started as well even when you use old live rock from your old tank you take rock that has not seen light and turn it over now you get new a new cycle started some people here might not agree but i have seen it over and over.I'm sure some other thing's happen as well some one will chime in i'm sure with some good info .But your cal is high and mag should be about 1450.

 

[sowellj]

My guess is that there is nothing wrong, they are just grumpy from the move. As long as there is not any STN/RTN I would think things will color back up as they get used to their new placements.

 

[butts182]

Thanks for all of your help. I hope that they are just grumpy. The new water params are very close to the params in the old tank.

 

[Paul_N]

Ya just give them some time and TLC and they will start to color up. Like sowellj said as long as there is no STN/RTN you are good. Post some updates and shots and let us know how they are progressing....:bigsmile: