Need help please.............

[rev600ho]

I have a 65 gallon reef tank that has been up and running for almost 2 years....over the past 4 months I have lost all my corals,twice in past weeks have added 6-10 turbo snails which died right away,added sea hare which died in one day. "All" my fish(2 reg clowns,2 pink clowns,squirell eye,fox face,2 damsels) are "fine"? I have been using Top fin sea water for water changes along with instant ocean salt,and do water change about every ten days. My tank temp is 82-ish,salinity is 1.028,water hardness was around 10,phosphate was .25,nitrate is 40,and calcium is around 480. I have been having an algae problem(not hairy).....little greenish on live rocks,sand/gravel turns greenish in back of tank and in corners. I did add some fake corals recently just to give it some color as I am afraid to buy any more corals....also clean and dry my large white corals in bleach. Need help and suggestions as I am ready to throw the towel in........thanks in advance!

[thebkramer]

so sorry to hear of your troubles!! :(

what are your nitrite and ammonia readings??

[ajcanale]

Why are you using two different salt mixes? Also 82 is on the high end for temp, salinity is too high (should be 1.025 - 1.026), phosphates and nitates are high as well. This could explain coral loss. If you are not acclimating the invertebrates that could explain your loss there as well.

[thebkramer]

also what kind of system you running?? sump? filtration? lightning? do you dose your tank with anything?

[rev600ho]

The nitrate was around 40,but not sure about amonia....didnt think the sea water had salt in it(more like ro?) so I did mix salt in on last water change. I do have an under tank sump(20 gallon),but unsure about what kinda pump. My lighting is a large(regular one),and I also have four 12" blue led light strips....they are on for around 7-8 hours per day. I have also only been feeding the fish pellets instead of frozen live stuff.....2/3 small pinches per day. I did acclimate the snails and sea hare for around 45 minutes adding a little water every 10 minutes. They never moved from where I put them.....all their trap doors are closed. Thanks for all your responses already!

[BAGGERZ13]

It is important that your ammonia levels are 0 because that is the most toxic to your tank it will kill just about everything in your tank. I'm new at this but from what I have read ammonia levels above 0 is a huge no no

[sponger0]

Im gonna say the salinity was the problem. Everything else is acceptable. Fix that first then try some snails and see what happens

[rev600ho]

How can I bring the salinity down.....seems it has always been high? Also how to you check the amonia level.....is there a kit for that? I also forgot to mention that I have used a few different additives......water conditioner,algae removal,waste control,etc. I lowered the temp this am to try to get down to around 80 degrees too.

[sponger0]

Using all those chemicals could also be a problem. Stop using them.

Do a 20% water change with water @ 1.026. Let it sit for a few hours. Retest your salinity. If it is still high, Remove some water, and if you have an ATO let it refill the tank. If you dont have an ATO, use fresh RODI water to fill the tank levels back. Test the water.

[BAGGERZ13]

What he is saying is that there will be water that evaporates due to heat in the tank. The thing is salt doesn't evaporate so if you don't too your tank off with RODI water and use salt mixed water it is going to raise your salinity.

[thebkramer]

The nitrate was around 40,but not sure about amonia!

def test for ammonia!! very toxic :(

I was asking for your niTRITE test? not nitrate.. def should test for the Trite too

I also would not dose with ANYthing right now.. especially the quick fix stuff.. noooo good for your tank, and will just cause problems in the long run!

btw:

:bounce3: WELCOME TO RC !!! :bounce3:

you will def find this forum addicting too! lol I have to say this is one of the best ones out there! LOTS of info here and LOTS of experienced, friendly reefers too!! I trust my friends here for any info or help with problems!!!! hopefully we can help you with getting your tank back on the right track!!

[SushiGirl]

Nitrite is only toxic at extremely high levels in saltwater. Mostly we test for it in the beginning to monitor whether the cycle is moving along. I agree that it's likely the high salinity. What are you using to test the salinity?

[luvzz2play]

To bring your salinity down, take out some of your water and add back just straight RO/DI water. DO this slowly. Not sure how much at a time is best but that is the way to do it. In the future, when you add water to top off your tank you only need to use RO water, don't mix salt with it.

[rev600ho]

Nitrite is only toxic at extremely high levels in saltwater. Mostly we test for it in the beginning to monitor whether the cycle is moving along. I agree that it's likely the high salinity. What are you using to test the salinity?

I am using an instant ocean hydrometer..........always seems to come out high though? Dont know if I am doing the reading right? I tested the ammonia,and it is pretty much at zero right now. Also the niTRITE level is around 40. I have my temp lowered to around 78 degrees.....is that where it should be?

[SushiGirl]

I would invest in a refractometer, they're much more reliable than a hydrometer. You should be able to find one at Bulk Reef Supply for $40. Worth the investment compared to losing much more $ in corals.