Just A Few Questions....

[N1z]

Hey recently my calcium levels have started to drop like crazy to about 320mgs and its being a nightmare to get back to 400mgs. Ive been using tropic marine bio calcium but tbh i find its not working on bit! Can any1 help me and recommend some thing better and will work a charm.
Now with this issue i was worryin bout my trachphyllia radiata cos the mouth has been open for a long time and inside is white... should i be worried?
Here a pic

Also past few days the surface has become ultra scummy top so much so ive been getting green bubbles?? any ideas on that aswell?

 

[SkiFletch]

Hummm, well the stuff on the surface looks like proteins. Likely the cause of an inefficiently funcitoning skimmer (if you're using one) or ineffective breaking of surface tension. I'd reccomend checking out your skimmer if it needs tweaking and breaking up surface tension of the water.

As for the coral and the calcium, you're right its not lookin all that healthy. Tough to pinpoint exactly what's ticking it off though. You mention you're having calcium problems, and those are always tied to alkalinity and CO2 problems. Have you measured your pH before lights on and just before lights off? Its possible you're having large pH swings that are wreaking havoc with your calc/alk balance... And what is your alk like?

 

[rictheredneck]

just wondering have you bought your clam yet? obviously they suck up the calcium and i know you have been after one for a while...

 

[mark7616]

Have you checked you magnesium as this can bring you calcium down?

 

[Matthew5664]

I would go with the consensus and post a full set of readings Ca Alk Mg pH (befor lights up) pH (before lights down)

I use the 3 part DIY additive as described by Randy Holmes-Farley in the on line reef keeping magazine there is a video of the mixture in production on a video site of reef videos.

These have work for myself and Ski if I'm not mistaken. However I would investigate to cause of the drop first before using any additives.

PS a clam does really suck up the Ca and Alk. and I have found that I have more algae on the front glass the lower the Ca and Alk drop. Just an observation

 

[N1z]

Well i didnt wake up in time before my lights went on so i got it after 1 hour of the lights being on. Oh and did KH and pH last night.

Last night:
PH= 8.2
KH= 12

Today:
PH 8.1
KH 12
Calcium 360mgs

I dont have magnesium test kit tbh nor buffer cos i thght that was for only SPS.

 

[mark7616]

my magnesium went down and bought down my calcium.

 

[SkiFletch]

Hummm, well alk is high and calc is low and pH is pretty much spot-on. Have a look through this article for some suggestions. You're in Zone 3. I'd be somewhat concerned as to what's in your suppliment... Might have some carbonate in it

 

[N1z]

Thanks ill try and understand that lol. Well ive been using reef crystals and well found not very good for me compared to instant ocean even though its the same company! My main issue atm is the proteins itsi really scummin up big time so i need a new skimmer ASAP. Any recommendations for about 120 quid?

 

[mark7616]

deltec mc300

 

[leecara]

i like the tmc v2 400 they work charms in my tank and i bought mine for £85 i think

 

[N1z]

Cheers for the quick reply. TMC is what ive got i hate it with avengence now. Is the mc300 noisy or infact make loads of bubbles in the tank? How fat is is cos ive only got so much space so about 13cms. Can u measure ur box width like where urs is running now please

 

[leecara]

when you had your skimmer in how far below was it from water level?

 

[N1z]

the pump is kinda 2 thirds in the water cos then it goes onto an elbow and backs into the skimmer behind, bth it was good for a while when new then just stared playing up.

 

[leecara]

wass it withing 8 cm of the water leverl? therewise thats your problem