Coral woes.. Help a newbie.. You once were one!

[monkE]

im a total noob to reef too... but i think that listing your water parameters would help. How long has the tank been established?

[ScubaSteve]

Yup, what they said. Give us a few more details and we'll happily help.

[kien]

Yes, tank parameters, set up, maintenance schedule, etc will help us help you :-)

[carriej]

WHOOPS. Knew I was forgetting something.

Tank is a 125 gal 6 foot with approx 30 gals in sump. Bubble magus skimmer, lighting is an ATI sunpower 6 bulb 60" t5ho.

I do about 15 gals water change weekly, livestock is a pair of clowns, and a chromis. Some snails and two hermits. A cleaner shrimp named Francois (lol).

Tank has been running since Oct. Just added corals not quite two weeks ago. Have a few other things that are doing well (frogspawn, Duncan, etc)

My levels are as follows:
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0
Phosphate - 0
Calc - 400
Alk - 8
Temp - 78
Ph - 8.2
Salinity - 1.025

I am using two 1400gph powerheads and a 900gph return pump.

Thanks in advance!

[jagermaier]

Your parameters are good, what kind of lighting are you using?

Also it looks like your candycane is about to split...so thats a good thing! Soon you will have many heads of them.

[The Grizz]

How old are your T5 bulbs & what is your light time cycle?

[gregzz4]

The crawly critters, if they're quick-ish, could be isopods
I had multiple hundreds, until I added my starry blenny and PJ cardinals
Now they've virtually been wiped out
Their numbers will change as your tank matures and your fish find them

Isopod

[carriej]

Those look like the critters!

The bulbs are brand new 80 watt t5ho ATI bulbs. Well - brand new about a month or so ago. I have 3 blue plus, 1 purple plus and 2 coral plus (if that helps!)

I have my lights on timers. Right now I have dusk/dawn lights on from 11am-11pm. My full lights are in from 12pm-9pm.

[jagermaier]

I am thinking that your tank is still very young since it has only been 3 months since you started it. Many reefers wait until 9-12 months before adding coral. Even after your first cycle there may be mini cycles that occur that could affect sensitive corals. That might be why your hardier corals like frogspawn are doing fine.

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by jagermaier

Many reefers wait until 9-12 months before adding coral

Unfortunately, many of us don't but can get away with it

I was originally planning on a long-term addition of coral to my new tank, but a couple locals got me started within the first month or so, and away I went

I haven't added anything sensitive yet such as 'nems, but I got away with lots of easy SPS and LPS right away

Lots of absorbing of knowledge goes a long way

Hope the rest of the members get you going in the right direction