corals not doing well help please

[Gettie]

some of corals not doing well my stats are phosphate 2.0ppm ammonia .0, nitrate 5.0 ppm , calcium 360 ppm
magnesium 1580. What can I do ?

 

[Jekyl]

some of corals not doing well my stats are phosphate 2.0ppm ammonia .0, nitrate 5.0 ppm , calcium 360 ppm
magnesium 1580. What can I do ?

Phosphate should be in the range of 0.05, calcium low and no alkalinity reading.

 

[sfin52]

some of corals not doing well my stats are phosphate 2.0ppm ammonia .0, nitrate 5.0 ppm , calcium 360 ppm
magnesium 1580. What can I do ?

How old is the tank?. What are you using as your water source? What's your alk? What tyoe if coral?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

pictures?

 

[Gettie]

How old is the tank?. What are you using as your water source? What's your alk? What tyoe if coral?

water source is town water running threw dechlorinating and water softner . salnity 1.06 and use instant ocean salt. tank is about 2 years . but just statred with corals about 7 months to 1 year. Had fish about 2 years etc

 

[Jekyl]

water source is town water running threw dechlorinating and water softner . salnity 1.06 and use instant ocean salt.

Salinity a misprint? Should be 1.026. Hard to give any advice when not using RODI as you have no idea what's in your water.

 

[sfin52]

Salinity a misprint? Should be 1.026. Hard to give any advice when not using RODI as you have no idea what's in your water.

water source is town water running threw dechlorinating and water softner . salnity 1.06 and use instant ocean salt. tank is about 2 years . but just statred with corals about 7 months to 1 year. Had fish about 2 years etc

Agree. You really need an icp test of city water if you are using it. It's best to use rodi

 

[jimmers]

Lots of could be issues based on the above. Start with (absolute) 0ppm water running through RO/DI. This will at least help you understand where the phosphates are coming from and if they are all coming from source water which they most likely are.

 

[Gettie]

pictures?

water source is town water running threw dechlorinating and water softner . salnity 1.06 and use instant ocean salt. tank is about 2 years . but just statred with corals about 7 months to 1 year. Had fish about 2 years etc

checked phosphate from my tap water showing 1.0ppm

 

[Gettie]

pictures?

just have frags now not much to see

 

[Waters]

Unfortunately there are a TON more things to worry about using city water than just phosphate. As suggested, I would either switch to RO/DI or see if you can get a city water report.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

some of corals not doing well my stats are phosphate 2.0ppm ammonia .0, nitrate 5.0 ppm , calcium 360 ppm
magnesium 1580. What can I do ?

wow, that phosphate is awfully high.

 

[Malum Argenteum]

just have frags now not much to see

The photos aren't to show off how awesome your tank looks. Photos help to diagnose what all might be going on. They'll also help repliers know what corals you have (though listing their names would also help, in addition to photos).

If a tank isn't using RODI, there's really no way to troubleshoot "not doing well" issues, as there are way too many variables just in the water.

 

[bobnicaragua]

Get an RODI unit and do a series of water changes to get your parameters in line.

 

[Gettie]

Lots of could be issues based on the above. Start with (absolute) 0ppm water running through RO/DI. This will at least help you understand where the phosphates are coming from and if they are all coming from source water which they most likely are.

checked water directly from my water source and phosphate are showing 0.25ppm, so I guess I need a reverse osmosis water filteration also, do you agree

 

[Malum Argenteum]

RODI will take out phosphate, yes, but will also remove most other unknowns (and so help troubleshooting immensely).

 

[twentyleagues]

There is so much happening......
Is your salinity actually 1.06? Thats a huge issue.
What are you using to measure your parameters?
I dont think a saltwater phos test can accurately measure phos in freshwater, I may be wrong I am not a scientist or chemist.
If the phos out of the tap is really 0.25 then yes you need an ro unit. I do not believe that is safe to drink either. But again I dont think a saltwater test can accurately measure phos in freshwater.

 

[Malum Argenteum]

If the phos out of the tap is really 0.25 then yes you need an ro unit. I do not believe that is safe to drink either.

Why would it not be safe to drink?

 

[Dom]

Begin by raising calcium and reducing phosphates.

 

[twentyleagues]

Why would it not be safe to drink?

I was thinking it was a lot lower (below 1) than it actually is. 40ppm considered safe for drinking water by epa. A recent drinking water test from a well had 1ppm and the test indication was in the yellow (caution zone) 0.25-1. A little more research just now shows that is actually low...sorry for the confusion I may have caused. Really gotta look into people wanting to sell you something.