Well I screwed up.. _Question Added_

I didn't stay on top of my tanks for a few months, did water changes here and there every few weeks when I could. Everything seemed fine, then about three weeks ago I noticed one large head of torch starting to stay retracted after lights were on. It continued for weeks, I finally decided to check my params.... Nitrates were quite high so now I'm in fix mode instead of maintain mode. Sucks.

 

Sorry to hear.

 

Why are they high? That would be the first concern.

Your filtration type? Any dead things lying around?

Are you running LR? Macroalgae?

How high?

 

I am aware that the cause is a concern, however at this point it is more damage control than correction. Also the cause is probably primarily high levels of feeding combined with irregular water changed schedule meaning I was not exporting as much nutrient as I was putting in. Filtration type on the 1 tank is strictly biological via live rock, other tank is live rock + filter socks + skimmer. Nitrates were around 20ppm in each tank although I had a hard time distinguishing that color on the chart. Macro in the strictly biological tank though it hasn't grown in a year.

 

don't beat yourself up, I think we all fall behind sometimes, life gets busy. After my daughter was born I def fell behind on water changes and maintenence, but just did a 50% drain and should be ok now. My NA was up to 50+ but everything was ok. Corals are very resilient for the most part.

 

yup...it happens...I maintain a journal...this keeps me reminded of when I need to do certain things..as well as being able to go back (years) and see what was added ..removed...changed..dosed..etc etc...works for me...but as you know with hindsight...you can only get away with passive tank husbandry ..well..you can't. : /
sounds like you got a handle on it. : ) lesson learned.

 

Hopefully have a handle, the only coral that appeared to be largely affected was the one head of torch. Did a 40-50 percent water change, song another 30 on Sunday and going from there.

 

I had the same thing happen with alk.

 

torch is pretty hardy..hows your iodide?..my tank loves the stuff.

 

I dont test iodine, never have. I dont dose or anything like that. Used to keep everything on track with regular water changes. When I checked Nitrates and had the high reading my calcium and alk were also high but that is common for my tanks. I think the 1 head (big head) on the colony isnt going to make it, tissue has started deteriorating.