Elegance and One of the open brains not looking good

My elegance and one of the open brains haven't looked good in days. I've tested and done a couple water changes but still doesn't look much better.

My temp is consistently at 78/80, spec is 1.025
as of 10/30
Nitrates were at 160ppm (before the second water change)
phosphate - 1.5ppm
Kh - 13/232.7ppm which i'm not sure if that's too high or just a little high
Ca - 27/28 or 540/560 ppm

I have anther kit that tests a little different and with this one
Ph - 8.6 (high)
Nitrites - .1/.2 (low)

I'm going to test when I get home and see if there have been any changes but I need some advice, if any.

Thanks!

 

What your nitrates are what ? 160 ppm.

How old is this tank.

Sounds like something is way out of wack or something died.

Phosphates are too high as well.

I would recheck those values. How many water changes have you done and how big?

You should only be having nitrites during a cycle, otherwise something is wrong.

 

Something's way wrong. I know my Red Sea test kit always sees the lowest level above nitrites, regardless as to the actual amount (been 0 for months), so keep that in mind.

 

i agree phosphates are high, you might be feeding to much if they wont go down...do a big water change and see if that helps

 

ok. Thanks. Did about 40/50% water change. Checked to see if anything died and all is good. Not sure what's up. I think it may have been because I put some filter material cut to size in the baffles and maybe the collected too much junk in those few days. I took them out as soon as my levels went up. I'm hoping things will be better tomorrow. Thanks again

 

Your nitrates are the real problem. I'd say something died or your over feeding. The water changes should help.

 

Yeap, nitrates need to go down. You are way past the cycle correct?

 

Your nitrates and phosphates are out of control. To me, that usually means over feeding whether it be fish or corals. How much do you feed and how often? Do you supplement anything else? Do you use RO/DI water?

 

No ro/di. Just drinking water by the gallon and treated tap water. Nothing is dead and I checked a couple times.

Maybe the feeding. I had given some extra food a couple nights while I fed some of the coral directly. I haven't done that though in a few days since my levels went up. I feed them at night and I normally give them 1 cube of mysis and maybe something else like a cube of squid or a cube of blood worms. Depends on how fast they chow down. If they seem to not eat fast then I just let it be but sometimes the first cube is gone quick so I'll throw them a bit more.

Nothings changed with the nitrates as of yet since the water change. Does it take a few days to take effect? I did have the rest start coming down a bit though.

 

The Tap water is shooting direct phosphates and other bad chemicals etc. into your tank. If you want to be successful in this hobby I would never use tap again.

As for the nitrates, I really don't think it could be from all the feeding. I feed quite a lot and always have 0 nitrates. I would just keep up the water changes with wal-mart bought ro/di water and your problems will clear up somewhat quickly. It is only a dollar a gallon. You can also get it at Target or Kroger here in Morgantown.