Whats wrong with my coral ??

[FWC]

I did a water change roughly 1.5 weeks ago and all my SPS decided to start crapping out on me. Everything was colorful/colring up ,and I have awesome polyp extension ,then after I did my usualy water change the same as always ,the corals become un happy.

They are all browning out and not showing near as much extension as before. I don`t know what I did wrong ??

Nitrates=0
Nitrites=0
Phosphate=0
pH=8.0
ammonia=0.6

The ammonia has always been around 0.6 ,so I dont see why all my SPS would suddenly start to go down hill.

Also I'm running 2 T5-0H's at the moment ,and the same 12 hour light cycle since I started the tank.

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by FWC

I did a water change roughly 1.5 weeks ago and all my SPS decided to start crapping out on me. Everything was colorful/colring up ,and I have awesome polyp extension ,then after I did my usualy water change the same as always ,the corals become un happy.

They are all browning out and not showing near as much extension as before. I don`t know what I did wrong ??

Nitrates=0
Nitrites=0
Phosphate=0
pH=8.0
ammonia=0.6

The ammonia has always been around 0.6 ,so I dont see why all my SPS would suddenly start to go down hill.

Also I'm running 2 T5-0H's at the moment ,and the same 12 hour light cycle since I started the tank.

when did you start the tank??

[FWC]

In January.

All my other coral is doing fine ,as well. There is LPS and softies in there also.

[windcoast reefs]

Did you use RO water for the water change? And have you calibrated your refractometer lately?

[windcoast reefs]

There should also be no ammonia except in the cycle. I can't say ive ever had any in my tank. Maybe your test kit expired? Just a guess though.

[FWC]

Hydrometer should be spot on ,salinity is at .027 when I last checked a few days ago.

Also test kit might be expired. I'll take it to a LFS soon for a second opinion.

Also I've been using plain tap water since day one.

[reefwars]

salinity is a bit high is it always like that?

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by FWC

Hydrometer should be spot on ,salinity is at .027 when I last checked a few days ago.

Also test kit might be expired. I'll take it to a LFS soon for a second opinion.

Also I've been using plain tap water since day one.

hydrometers are never spot on they need to be recalibrated very frequently, they are notorious for being off. if your salinity on your hd is 1.027 it could even be higher. take a sample or the hydrometer in for recalibration if you dont do it reguarily

[windcoast reefs]

Originally Posted by FWC

Hydrometer should be spot on ,salinity is at .027 when I last checked a few days ago.

Also test kit might be expired. I'll take it to a LFS soon for a second opinion.

Also I've been using plain tap water since day one.

Okay well my only guess is that it's the tap water, the reason most people use ro is for consistency. The tap water can have fluctuations in the phosphates, nitrates and even metals. It may have not shown up in the past but there can be sudden changes in the water quality. That is my guess, that or I have heard of the copper pipes in houses causing issues, it kinda builds up copper in the system and then can lead to a crash.

I would try doing some small water changes with ro water and see how things turn out over the next few days. Maybe run some carbon and phosban as well it will just help pull anything out of the water.

[reefgirl189]

Are you using an AP Ammonia test kit?

Mine always tested at 0.6ppm. I switched to seachem and I get 0ppm from the same test. I think AP is out to lunch.