Problem with corals

[1bigstud]

Im not sure what the problem could is, but the last few times I have tried adding hardy softies (ie xenia, colt) they started melting away after a day,
my salinity is a bit low(1.025)
everything else checks out except for phosphates.
so I have no idea what else the problem could be.
I did have an algae out break, but added some macro did some scrubbing and water changes, the nuisance algae is almost non visible in the tank.
I do have a reddish pink algae growing on the sand bed/glass
I am open to suggestions/diagnosis and advice.
One day I would like to have corals in my tank.
It is a 75 gallon tank.
33 gallon sump.
becket skimmer powered by a mag 12.
main return is a mag 7
strong current in the tank, roughly 120lbs of live rock in the system.
live stock.
flame hawk, scooter blenny, regal tang, green chromis.
atleast 1 hermit crab, baby starfish which must have spawned off one I bought some time ago. 1 reddish green mushroom.

[reefwars]

phosphates are a big problem but i would test for alkalinity and calcium. carbon has been known to kill off xenia.

how old is this tank??

what about lights??

[1bigstud]

Here are some pics of what the algae in my tank looks like.

[1bigstud]

Tank has been running for about 4 yrs. using pc lighting ( bulbs less than 2mnths old) which has been quite successful in my previous system. Last time I had the alk and calcium checked at ocean aquatics they said it was bang on.
I was originally running a 450 watt halide and thought that was the issue so I switched to 2 75 watt pc bulbs.

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by 1bigstud

Here are some pics of what the algae in my tank looks like.

looks to be the start of a mild cyano bloom or at least a diatom bloom, excess nutrients is the cause.

are you testing?? what are your exact water parameters for:

nitrate
phosphate
amonia
alk
cal
what test kits are you using??


more than likely there is some nitrates and phosphates , corals dont do well with phosphates and although some small amount of nitrates is good large amounts are harmfull and bad for your livestock.both are huge contributing factors in algae growth.os are high i would reccommend getting some gfo and a reactor it will quickly rid you of phosphate.

what are you using for light??

if your ph

[SteveConn]

Looks like cyano, so my guess is phosphates may be a problem if your nitrates are fine.

I've never been able to keep xenia and colt doesn't do so well in my system (finally sold my big colt), but I've had good success with LPS and (especially) SPS. O wouldn't give up on other corals just because of your luck with softies. Try a birdsnest and go from there if you want to try out SPS.. in the meantime, I would suggest finding out about your phosphates.

[1bigstud]

whats a gfo? and what type of reactor?

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by 1bigstud

Tank has been running for about 4 yrs. using pc lighting ( bulbs less than 2mnths old) which has been quite successful in my previous system. Last time I had the alk and calcium checked at ocean aquatics they said it was bang on.
I was originally running a 450 watt halide and thought that was the issue so I switched to 2 75 watt pc bulbs.

what other corals are you having trouble with?? are they all melting away??

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by 1bigstud

whats a gfo? and what type of reactor?

gfo is granular ferris oxide it is used ina reactor like this








i agree with above as i dont do well with softies either i find them hit or miss with my tanks this time its miss lol

[SteveConn]

GFO is Granular Ferric Oxide. I use PO4x4. It reduces your phosphates pretty fast and is rechageable (which is great because it isnt cheap). There are other types of GFO, but I find them messy...need a lot of rinsing. Biased because I used PO4x4 from the start.

Google GFO.

For a quick fix you can use a liquid phosphate reducer if you have a skimmer.