shriveling rics

[lil_clownfish13]

well, since i set up the 20 gallon and moved everything into it from the 10 -- the rics have paled in color and turned into little balls-- they dont open up very much-- the greens are most effected by this, the orange seems okay-- but its been almost 5 months since they've been in the tank..

water params are normal-- nothing out of the ordinary

any suggestions on additives i may be missing that ppl have found they need? (i dose calcium and coral accel)

p.s. all my 6 other types of mushrooms are perfect and multiplying like mad

thanks again all!

tina

[Beverly]

Hi Tina,

Here are some reef chemistry tests I perform at least once every two weeks:

- alkalinity (keep mine at 8 to 10 dKH)
- calcium (keep mine at 400 to 425 ppm)
- magnesium (keep mine at 1300 to 1325 ppm)

Also check pH just before lights on and just after lights out. I use a Pinpoint pH probe attached to a digital readout box thing (don't know what it's called ). It's accurate to two decimal points.

When checking salinity, use a refractometer for more accurate results than the plastic swing-arm things.

Reef chemistry calculators and articles to help you better understand the complex chemistry stuff going on in a reef. Read and re-read as many times as it takes for some of this thick stuff to sink in. I still don't understand it all, but I'm learning more each time I read them:

Aquarium System Volume Calculator:

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/volcalc.html

The Reef Chemistry Calculator:

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

What is Alkalinity?

http://advancedaquarist.com/issues/f.../chemistry.htm

Calcium:

http://advancedaquarist.com/issues/mar2002/chem.htm

Magnesium in Reef Aquaria:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/oct2003/chem.htm

How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

The Relationship Between Alkalinity and pH:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/may2002/chem.htm

Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

High pH: Causes and Cures:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/rhf/index.htm

Low pH: Causes and Cures:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.htm

HTH

[danny zubot]

I wouldn't worry about them too much, shroom and rics do that for a while when they are disturbed. Just like many softies, they will bounce back in time. Its a good idea to watch your levels, as always Hey Bev, what do you use to dose magnesium? Can't seem to get mine up above 1250ppm.

[Beverly]

Danny,

I use Kent's Tech M to keep Mg stable.