Tank crashing...could it be due to these?

[Son Of Skyline]

So half my acros have been suffering from RTN this past month. Some corals will lose branches suddenly, then the RTN will stop, then start again a couple weeks later...then stop again. Some corals are slowly receding from the base. Tips are dieing on others.

This coincides to two things I can think of. One, I started using this cheapo brand superglue gel for frags. Two, I stuck a moderately rusted wire cutter in my tank a couple times to cut some frags.

Could any of these two things cause what's happening? My water tests fine and I haven't made any changes to my setup.

TIA...

[One_Divided]

Mason, I would find those things quite unlikely.. As long as the super glue is cyanoacrylate, it should be fine. As for the rusty cutters, I think just about everyone puts something slightly rusty in their tanks from time to time. It has never bugged me, but on the other hand; my tank aint doing to great right now either!

It sounds more to me like some parameter peaking or dropping every once in a while. I would just keep a close eye on any fluctuations throughout the day/week.. Sounds like you have a problem that is quite inconsistant... I would also consider the possibility of some type of bacteria that is attacking the acros.. Have you done any large scale water changes? Maybe a 30-40% is in order...

hope I can help!


-Adam

[Aquattro]

Mason, let me know when you figure it out, I've been dealing with this for months. I have had rust in th etank from my steel stand, but it's never been an issue before. Some people are suggesting high alk as a source of this problem. I've treated the tank with antibiotics, lowered the temp, added PO4 sponge, etc. Things may be looking better, but it's too early to tell. And if things have turned around for me, I couldn't tell you what did it!!
If you come up with something, let me know !

[Tropical Paradise]

hi everyone,

I've been experiencing the same problem and lost some frags over last several months. First, polyp stop expanding, then tissue loss. Algae would grow over the skeleton and then the whole frag is gone. Mine did not RTN but more like s STN (slow) It is quite frustrating .

John from J&L suggested that it may be due to temperature flutation. I kinda doubt it. Mine reading is between 79-82f. Another cause could be low pH at night: my pH gets as low as 7.6 at night. For the last two weeks, I've been dripping Kalk at night to keep pH above 8.0.

Also, I've begin to test Mg level in the tank. I found out that my Mg was only 900 (using Salifert). Natural seawater Mg level is 1200-1400ppm. I tested Instant Ocean makeup water and found only 900ppm Mg. I've been adding Kent Marine Tech M to raise it up to 1100ppm. I have some "micro" frags that I am trying to save, and they are showing new growth after I adjusted my Mg level. I think Mg was most likely the case. Test your Mg level and see if this helps.

[Samw]

Anyone running reverse photoperiod lighting on their sumps/refugiums experience this problem?

[Tropical Paradise]

Sam,

I am running reverse photo period on my refugium.

[kari]

Just started running reverse photoperiod lighting about 2 weeks ago. Before that it was on 24/7. Nothing out of the oridinary here yet.

[zulu_principle]

Sam

Have you seen anything that suggests it could be a problem ??

Or just looking for a common thread.


Wendell

[TANGOMAN]

Just "throwin' ideas" around, could source water be a contributing factor ?
Are you using r/o ? I know I have all kinds of problems this time of year and I figured it must be due to spring run off ?

[Son Of Skyline]

Aw man...can't believe so many of us are having similar problems!

Thanks everyone. I guess the first thing I should check out is my nighttime pH (and i just sold my pH monitor!!!). Come to think of it I did stop using kalk about a couple months ago, however i've gone without kalk in the past and had no problems.

Not sure about the RO water but my prefilters were pretty dirty so I just replaced them (thanks Jesse!). I've heard that i should periodically "flush" my RO membrane but i have no idea how to do it on my unit. Algae isn't a big problems these days though.

I want to try, but I'm kinda scared of doing a huge water change. My rbta seems to get pretty ****ed off even when i do my standard 4gal change! Is everyone's rbta as sensitive as mine?

I'm not using a refugium or any reverse photoperiod. If I find my pH is low then maybe this is a good idea.

Haven't checked my Mg in awhile so I'll definitely have to do this.

Hopefully we'll all be able to figure our tanks out!