Negative reactions from PO4 reactors, carbon?

One week ago, I installed a TLF phosphate reactor. It is running according to the directions, using Phosban, in the quantity recommended.

Four days ago, I added a DIY carbon chamber to the water output from the PO4 reactor.

Now, over the last three days or so, my palythoa have begun to slowly stop eating and close up. There are only a few of them, scattered around the tank, and I don't know their species, as they were hitchhikers.

This may be nothing, but I figured I'd ask.

Oh, and I turned off the flow to the reactor and carbon just now.

 

Did you rinse the phosban really well before you added it? What is your ph at. When I added phosban at first I added about half the recommended amount and then a couple weeks later went to full strength. It can cause drops in ph

 

I rinsed it according to the directions, by running a gallon or so of water through it into a bucket until it ran clear.

Ph is about 8.3; other params: NH3 zero, NO2 zero, NO3 1ppm, PO4 zero, Ca 640, SG 1.023.

 

SG is a little low for corals. they like 1.025. you have to raise this slowly tho.

 

I'm no expert but they might just be reacting to a large change in the chemistry. Zoas/Palys I believe like "dirtier" water so I would not be surprised if they didn't do so well once you start cleaning things up with carbon and phosban. At the very least I think they may require a period of adjustment to the new nutrient levels in the tank.

 

Ca at 640??? Wow I have never seen it that high. What is your Mg and Alk at? At 640, I would think you would need your Mg near 1700 and Alk near 15 or so, to keep everything in balance?

 

I was wondering that too. I wonder if it was a mis measure or if its from his new addition of a reactor.

 

I just tested it again, to make certain. It COULD be as low as 620, but no less.

I thought it seemed high also, but I'm just a noob, what do I know?? It was like that before adding the reactor BTW. I've been using Oceanic salt; I've heard it has a lot of Ca?

I can't test for Mg or alk. Last month the LFS read my alk at 9.

FWIW, the palys have begun to slooowly open back up, and I've restarted the reactor.

Oh, and SG is now at 1.025.

 

Glad to hear they opened back up, they can do that for no apparent reason for a day or so in my experience, as long as they don't start shrivelling up they have been fine for me.

Just a note, I believe that alkalinity tends to have more of an impact on coral health than calcium does, if you're only going to test one that probably would be better but keeping alk/calcium/mg in balance is important like tigermike said.

 

You set up a reactor and you still dont have a full testing setup. When you buy salt it doesnt come that strong. Are you adding calcium?