New Corals Dying

[Nate5154]

Hello, so I just got my first two sps corals the other day, one is a birds nest and one is a montipora but it seems as if they are already bleaching. I put them at the bottom of the tank to try and acclimate them to the light better but it seems to not be working at all. Does anyone know if it’s possible to still save them, and if there’s better ways to not kill them in the future. Thanks!

 

[bluemon]

Can you post your parameters here as well?

The one on the right is fully gone, the left is pretty much all gone as well, but maybe saveable, just can’t tell very well with the blue light

 

[MikeyZo]

Sps need a lot of light so I would definitely move them up higher in the tank. That being said, I’d check your parameters before doing anything else.

And as long as there is still polyps on it, it can regrow

 

[Nate5154]

Can you post your parameters here as well?

The one on the right is fully gone, the left is pretty much all gone as well, but maybe saveable, just can’t tell very well with the blue light

I use reef crystals salt but it always seems to mix with such low trace elements compared to what it says it would mix. I don’t dose or anything but those are my parameters

Phosphates - 0.1
Salinity - 1.025
Calcium - 330
Alkalinity - 4
pH - 8.2
Nitrates - 5
Nitrites - 0

 

[MikeyZo]

Your alkalinity and calcium are way off

Your alkalinity should be around 9 (8-12) and your calcium closer to 450. Phosphates are high, not that is necessarily the cause of them dying, but it won’t help

 

[bluemon]

I use reef crystals salt but it always seems to mix with such low trace elements compared to what it says it would mix. I don’t dose or anything but those are my parameters

Phosphates - 0.1
Salinity - 1.025
Calcium - 330
Alkalinity - 4
pH - 8.2
Nitrates - 5
Nitrites - 0

Your alkalinity is way too low.

I would aim for at least 7, preferable around 8-9.

Also try to measure magnesium.

A newly mixed reef crystal should be at around 10. When was your last water change?

 

[Nate5154]

Your alkalinity is way too low.

I would aim for at least 7, preferable around 8-9.

Also try to measure magnesium.

A newly mixed reef crystal should be at around 10. When was your last water change?

Last water change was 2 days ago, I do it weekly but I’ve even mixed up new saltwater and directly tested that and it was only hitting around 5 dkh and 300 calcium.

 

[bluemon]

Here is a good write up by @Randy Holmes-Farley on the optimal parameters.

Your newly mixed saltwater should have similar parameters, although a lot mix a bit high on alk (which people can appreciate if they don’t dose)

Optimal Parameters for a Coral Reef Aquarium: By Randy Holmes-Farley

[note: edited on 5/29/2022 to update the nitrate and phosphate sections with higher recommended levels.] One of the main roles of an aquarist with a coral reef aquarium is to ensure that the conditions are right for their tank inhabitants. There are many different attributes of the aquarium...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[bluemon]

Last water change was 2 days ago, I do it weekly but I’ve even mixed up new saltwater and directly tested that and it was only hitting around 5 dkh and 300 calcium.

What salt are you using? I don’t know of any salt mixes that mix below 7.

 

[Nate5154]

What salt are you using? I don’t know of any salt mixes that mix below 7

Instant ocean reef crystals, and yea i’ve made a post about how it has been mixing so low but I don’t believe I ever figured out why.

 

[bluemon]

Instant ocean reef crystals, and yea i’ve made a post about how it has been mixing so low but I don’t believe I ever figured out why.

What are you testing your alk with?

Reef crystals were tested to mix at 9.4.

I think your testing would be wrong in this case.

 

[Nate5154]

What are you testing your alk with?

Reef crystals were tested to mix at 9.4.

I think your testing would be wrong in this case.

I am using the API reef test kit

 

[Jasonak]

What test kits are you using ? Im wondering if they are off a bit.

 

[Jasonak]

Well I see that was just asked lol
I would try salifert or hanna seem to be more reliable.

 

[bluemon]

I am using the API reef test kit

I would try another test kit, preferably the ones with titration. I use salifert or Hanna as my go to

 

[bluemon]

Well I see that was just asked lol
I would try salifert or hanna seem to be more reliable.

As I beat you in the question, so have you in the answer!

 

[Nate5154]

As I beat you in the question, so have you in the answer!

Okay cool I appreciate the help, i’ll try salifert

 

[MikeyZo]

if you haven’t gotten the salifert, Hanna is having a site wide memorial day sale, 20% off everything. Cant best thst if you ask me. I love my Hanna testers.

 

[MikeyZo]

Actually, I take it back, it might have ended yesterday.

But I think you can sign up for emails and get 15% off your first order


But premium aquatics still has it going on.

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[I never finish anythi]

What do you use to test salinity? That's where I'd start . And take a sample of water to your lfs for them to check .