Try to solve my problem..

For the last 2 weeks or so my tank hasn't been looking its greatest. My Euphyllias stay halfway open..clam opens and closes throughout the day..sps and softies are doing great though.

Parameters:

Temp: 78-78°F
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 15 ppm
Phosphate: 0.5 ppm
Calcium: 460 ppm
Alk: 8.4 dKH
pH: 8.2

Lighting: 150W 14K Halide 11 hrs/day

My alkalinity has always been a little on the low side. I just can't seem to keep it high. Everything has looked great with it in the range it is currently in though.

I thought about stray voltage..but it tested at only 3V and I later learned that it would affect the fish before the corals. All of my fish are healthy and AFAIK happy.

I also have never done anything with magnesium. If it is low could this be the cause? I plan on getting a test kit for it in the near future.

Absolutely ANY recommendations are appreciated.

Thanks,
Ivan

 

Is the nitrate always at 15ppm? What is your salinity?

 

Knew I forgot one...

SG: 1.025

15ppm is actually low for my tank lol it's usually above 20. It has been 15 for a few weeks though.

 

the magnesium level could be whats depressing your alkalinity. If your doing proper water changes your salt mix should keep it in the acceptable range, even if it is at the low end.

 

I'm about to go mix up a fresh batch of SW and do a WC later tonight. I usually use a 2-part cal/alk but today I got some seachem cal/alk powder. Should be more cost efficient and hopefully a little more potent. I have a feeling that the low alk is just slowly taking it's toll.

My halide bulb is also around 7 months old. Maybe once I get a fresh one things will perk up.

 

Most mag from salt mixes is at 1100 or lower, so you need to test for mag and supplement when you make SW to get it to 3X your calc.

 

It could be the Mg, but unless it's really off, I doubt it. Have you stopped doing water changes or haven't done one for a while? Is your skimmer pulling a lot of stuff out or not? Any other changes?

 

I've never been real steady on my water changes. Usually do a good sized one every month or so. I just did one 2-3 weeks ago when things started looking off.

 

I would say keep working on lower your nitrate to around 5 or less if possible. Most hard corals like low nitrate levels.

 

are you using carbon, ir0001?

could be build up of chemicals released by the healthy softies bothering the LPS

Steve