Torch coral

[Mike Robinson]

Sorry to hear about your torch. Did you happen to test for phosphates?

Ya. They’re at 0

 

[Mike Robinson]

alk too high imo 10dkh

Ok. I had it him since my hammer loves it. I’ll give a try lowering it to 10

 

[Daniel92481]

Ya. They’re at 0

Yea, get some phosphates in there. You probably know, but Just to reiterate, all corals need detectable nitrates and phosphates to survive and thrive. Keep it below 0.25, but definitely detectable with a quality test kit, such as a Hanna checker.

 

[Daniel92481]

alk too high imo 10dkh

+1

 

[bacc2bacc]

My guess is alk swing. Your lfs probably runs a much lower alk closer to 8 I’m betting. And since you run alk close to 13, I imagine placing the torch in your tank put it in some kind of alk shock that is has not been able to recover from

 

[Mike Robinson]

Yea, get some phosphates in there. You probably know, but Just to reiterate, all corals need detectable nitrates and phosphates to survive and thrive. Keep it below 0.25, but definitely detectable with a quality test kit, such as a Hanna checker.

My iDip tester just broke so I need to rely on my back up api test kit which I know sucks. That is registering 0. So there might be some in there

 

[Mike Robinson]

My guess is alk swing. Your lfs probably runs a much lower alk closer to 8 I’m betting. And since you run alk close to 13, I imagine placing the torch in your tank put it in some kind of alk shock that is has not been able to recover from

So just to reiterate. I should lower my alk to 10?

 

[Mike Robinson]

+1

My iDip just isn’t registering alk but reading everything else accurately. Always reads low for alk

 

[ScottR]

I would say something is wrong with your water. Here is a 2 head indo I bought from my lfs over the weekend, Not even an hour after being In my tank and it’s fully extended and hasn’t retracted yet, even at night it stays open. They like flow so I would move it to a place with more indirect flow and see how it reacts. Also, is your light maybe too bright for it? Could also be the case.

Be careful with that torch. It may sting those corals around it.

 

[bacc2bacc]

to

Be careful with that torch. It may sting those corals around it.

Thanks for the concern but I am 100% aware[/QUOTE]

 

[ScottR]

So just to reiterate. I should lower my alk to 10?

You can’t just lower alk. What salt are you using? Are you dosing alk? I’d hold off if so and bring it down naturally. A water change that mixes with a lower alk will help bring it down.

 

[Mike Robinson]

You can’t just lower alk. What salt are you using? Are you dosing alk? I’d hold off if so and bring it down naturally. A water change that mixes with a lower alk will help bring it down.

Ya of course slowly. I use Kent’s that already comes dosed with everything

 

[ScottR]

Ya of course slowly. I use Kent’s that already comes dosed with everything

I don’t believe Kent salt mixes with that high of an alk. If you’re positive you’re testing that high, perhaps your salinity is much higher than stated. How do you measure your salinity? If using a refractometer, is it calibrated. Too high of a salinity is a common cause for many coral problems.

 

[Mike Robinson]

I don’t believe Kent salt mixes with that high of an alk. If you’re positive you’re testing that high, perhaps your salinity is much higher than stated. How do you measure your salinity? If using a refractometer, is it calibrated. Too high of a salinity is a common cause for many coral problems.

Tested with 2 different hydro meters

 

[Mike Robinson]

I don’t believe Kent salt mixes with that high of an alk. If you’re positive you’re testing that high, perhaps your salinity is much higher than stated. How do you measure your salinity? If using a refractometer, is it calibrated. Too high of a salinity is a common cause for many coral problems.

Kent’s goes to 450 at 1.023-1.025 salinity. Also I was using api test kit for alk so it could be off a hair

 

[ScottR]

Tested with 2 different hydro meters

Some people love swing arms but I just don’t trust them. I get a different reading each time. I guess salt gets caught in the arm. I wouldn’t trust API to be honest. Can you take a sample of water for a second opinion? I’d look at salinity and alk first and foremost.

 

[Mike Robinson]

Some people love swing arms but I just don’t trust them. I get a different reading each time. I guess salt gets caught in the arm. I wouldn’t trust API to be honest. Can you take a sample of water for a second opinion? I’d look at salinity and alk first and foremost.

Just borrowed my buddy’s test kit. Everything I tested so far is spot on. He has refractometer and Hanna test kit. Only thing. My hydrometer said 1.024. Was really almost 4.0

 

[Mike Robinson]

Just corrected salinity and we’ll see how everything reacts to that

 

[Mike Robinson]

Also bought another cheap hydrometer just to check and that went to the max immediately

 

[ScottR]

Good old salinity problems. At least that’s easy to fix. I’m glad you caught it. Keep us updated.