Newbie yellow polyp help!

I haven't added trace elements because I was told adding everything seperate is better. I'm not even sure what is in trace elements and why I need it. Should I use trace elements?

 

In simple terms
dKH is simply another way to measure total alkalinity.
2.8KH = 1meq/L with Alkalinity in meq/L being the scientific standard.
You divide the dKH by 2.8 to convert to meq/L
So if you have a dKH of 9 and divide by 2.8 you get 3.21 meq/L not 1.7
What you care about is the meq/L number. or total alkalinity.
I'm not familiar with seachem test kit.It may be measuring another type of alkalinity also.
You can go to the chemistry forum to get more info.
Even though your ph could be higher It's in acceptable range.
I use Kalkwasser drip method because it raises my ph without raising my alkalinity off the scale. I personally don't like buffers because usually it's a temporary fix and in my case it raised the ph but also raised my alkalinity too high which in turn lowered my calcium levels.
Iodine is highly toxic and have to be careful.I've read that Iodide is relatively nontoxic.
I use Iodine out of habit.Rethinking it. Especially with your size of tank I
wouldn't use Iodine. Iodide would be safer
Regular water changes should replace most of your trace elements.I have not used it but Kent Marine makes a product called Essential Elements which I believe is favored by some.It contains Iodide which would be a safer approach.Just my opinion.
Most people put peppermint shrimps in their tanks to get rid of Aptasias.
Once aptasias gone if peppermint gets hungry are known to go after polyps.
So keep an eye on it and make sure it gets food.
I hope that I've been some help.

morejongg

 

Ok, so my game plan is to give the peppermint shrimp back to my LFS first. Then, add some iodide. I do 10% weekly water changes, so I probably don't need to add trace elements unless you suggest I do anyways.

I hope these adjustments help my yellow polyps.

Good info on the KH, Alk subject. I am under the assumption that my Alk test kit is off do to the fact that it give very vague test results. My KH test kit is a no brainer, it is easy to read.

One more question. Is KH also read using a Parts Per Million number?

Thanks again

 

Here's a good calculator for you.

SaltyZoo's Alkalinity Reading Conversion (meq/l / dKH / ppm CaCO3) Utility

PS....someone above mentioned this but it bears repeating. Yellow polpys often need to be target fed.

 

Unless you see your shrimp actively eating your polyps, I wouldn't put the blame on them. Work on your water before you go through the trouble of catching and returning your shrimp. I've kept peppermint shrimp for decades and never once had one eat corals.

 

PS....someone above mentioned this but it bears repeating. Yellow polpys often need to be target fed.

Any suggestions on what to feed them?

Thanks

 

You know Ive read were they have to be target feed too, but Ive never done it. I just started feeding the whole tank photplex, and it seems to help. Yellow polyps were my first coral too, and I did loose like half the colony also. I moved them alot closer to the light, around the middle or higher and they did alot better. They like some flow too. I have pc lights, but mine are 80 watts. So with your 50 watts your gonna have to move them to the upper part of the tank. Hope this helps

Michael

PS: yellow polyps are the first to be eaten for some reason, lol.

 

mine will eat cyclopeze if i gently blow it at them with a turkey baster.i have heard theres 2 types of yellow polyps and they both will eat but one has to be fed to survive but its not common to come across this type.just something i read once.