Need some help STN (1 Viewer)

[andrew7b]

I don't know what happen but some of my son coral is bleaching or STN from the base. I only thing that I did was adding clean sand to the refugium.
Water parameter

Cal 520 (I know its high can't get it down)
Alk 9.3
Mag 1650 (I know its high can't get it down)
Phos .04 (test with a meter)
Nitrate ?
Temp 77-78
Ph 8.0-8.1
Carbon is a week old
Running a GEO calcium reactor

 

[SeanM]

When you added "clean" sand, did you remove any of the old sand in the refugium? What prompted you to add the sand? Did you do a water change at the same time?

 

[andrew7b]

No sand was in the refugium, just some live rock. I did a water change beginning of the week.

 

[SeanM]

The water change in conjunction with the fresh carbon might be the culprit. I'd take the carbon off line for now. It hasn't happened to me personally, but I've read when you do a water change AND put fresh carbon the water column is much clearer for light to penetrate this stressing the sps. Hopefully somebody will chime in with their thoughts

 

[Naka]

I would stop the Geo calcium rx. You can use buffer or kalkwasser to maintain your Alk while bringing down calcium level. Carbon? How much carbon are you using?


• James

 

[andrew7b]

James
I used about a cup. My son tank is the size of yours. Oceanic salt is given me the high calcium level.

 

[andrew7b]

Should I hold of on the water change this week? I usually do water change every two week and about 20gal each time.

 

[Naka]

No need for wc. Hopefully no more sps gets stn.


• James

 

[andrew7b]

James
You think the calcium is the problem or the carbon. I always tested high on the calcium. I was think about turn off the carbon reactor. What do you think? More corals shows sign of STN today.

 

[Naka]

Definitely turn off both. There's no reason to run either reactors according to your water parameters.

You got pm.


• James

 

[tektite]

Very odd your alk is that low with oceanic salt. Have you checked the params of a batch of newly made salt recently?

Where did the sand come from? Is there a possibility it contained some contaminant?

 

[andrew7b]

Cat
I got the sand from one of marsh member. I clean the sand with tap water and then 3-4x rodi water before putting it in the tank. I tested 9.3 alk @ 1.025 from the Oceanic salt mixed.

 

[andrew7b]

Should start cutting the frag and give it to other member to hold for me?

 

[tektite]

Probably not a bad idea at this point, just for some insurance.

 

[andrew7b]

Ok I think I will do that because some is hard to find.

 

[andrew7b]

Ok I just bought an Elos test kit to compare with Sailfert. Sailfert this morning tested 8.9 and Elos tested 8.0. Which brand are people using for the ALK testing?

 

[inigomontoya]

Can't help you on which test as both are reputable, maybe check expiration dates? I would echo that if you do start seeing STN, it is always a good idea to cut a frag. Even if you just put it somewhere else in your tank or another. The few times I have seen it start happening and fragged a coral, the frag usually made it. I also would give them a quick revive dip.