not so happy reef

[odin5738]

I've had a reef for several years and it just hasn't looked as good as I would expect. Calcium, alkalinity, ph, and salinity levels are all good. I have a 90 gal. tank with a protien skimmer and wet dry filter system, metal halide and fluorescent lights. I perform 10 gal weekly water changes w/ RO water. I've tried several different supplements w/ varying quantities (tech CB for calcium, essential elements and iodine) Nothing seems to improve the appearance. Does anyone have any suggestions? Other supplements or filter options?

[cristhiam]

How about nitrates or phosphates? are you using bio balls in your wet dry system? how's your bio load?

[Der_Iron_Chef]

When you say it doesn't look good, what does that mean, exactly? What doesn't look good?

[odin5738]

I don't have an algae problem and I don't have very many animals so I don't have a large bio load. I use bio balls in my sump. As far as not looking well, my mushroom polups are not fully open and my toadstool polups are rarley out. Green star polups are spreading and my brain is fully out. Fish are happy. I'm not having any die off but I think it should look better.

[cristhiam]

Check nitrates or phosphates, you don't have to have algea problem to get this 2 high. are you testing idodine, highly toxic if overdosed.

[BigBadBlenny]

take the bio balls out

[SeaMac2]

What do you have as far as flow in the tank?

[odin5738]

I'll check the nitrates and phosphates I havn't checked them for a while but I've never had problem with them before. I have 3 power heads with good water flow. What will the removal of bio balls accomplish? In the past I've used iodine very sparingly and with my fequent water changes that level has to be low.

[davidryder]

Pictures?

[Der_Iron_Chef]

I'm curious about your calcium and alkalinity levels. Can you test and post results?