Leather Toadstool And Finger Coral - Problems?, Please Help!

[crypt_orchid]

Hi guys,
I thought it would be best if i contacted you all myself since i have been researching previously via this great forum. my friend xautomaticflowersx left a post on behalf of me as i can be quite shy, but hey, its the internet. Aside from what was said, the hydrometer readings were within the normal range- and i only use RO water. Im new to to setting up the chemistry but im an undergrad microbiologist so feel quite confident that i am capable, just worried about the time scale/adjustments that need to be made. I really think the previous owner didnt have things 'quite right' and even described himself as the lazy fishkeeper. I am so worried about my finger coral as already described it has started to calcify where it already looks damaged...has anyone fragged a finger coral before and had a similar problem? It doesnt seem to be getting worse, but none better either. The guys' best friend was in marine trade so i am kind of suspicious. The readings are the same as previously mentioned, aside the phospate is now 5ppm/mg/ml which is shocking...the filter system was originally just a small amount of live rock in the canister filter...ie. about 0.25kg- waste of time?! So i have bought various filter media to add to it ...but the phosphates are getting worse, not better. I am going to do a water change tomorrow, but the tank just wont settle. Its really upsetting me as i am trying to do everything possible and it just seems really unstable. Its now been 9 days since moval of the tank and setup without improvements to a supposedly 'mature tank'. If anybody has any advice or kind of reassurance, i would be deeply grateful. Many thanks,
~Kay

 

[SkiFletch]

Well, something's clearly dying/rotting in there with the phosphates on the rise, OR, your foods are leeching phosphates into the water column. I'd really consider getting some Rowaphos, Phosban, or other GFO (granular ferric oxide) phosphate remover going in a filter on the tank. High phosphates coupled with high calcium is stressful for corals for sure.

I'd also, were I you, verify my test results. Got o an LFS, or perhaps try and borrow someone else's testkits. What if your calcium test kit is faulty, or what if your hydrometer is faulty (actually pretty common)? False positives can really ruin your day.

 

[crypt_orchid]

Hi there,
thanks for your advice. Ive now ordered some rowaphos from ebay-as the store doesnt stock it. Ive also checked my hydrometer readings there today, which are fine. However, i also bought a ph test and it was 7.8, which i dont think is alkaline enough- i have some marine buffer which will raise it to 8.4 but would that just aggravate the phosphate problem? It sure is an art getting the chemistry right after the tank move! Im thinking that part of the problem may be how badly the gravel was disturbed (all the trapped food/waste) being dredged up when moved and resetup.
thanks,
~Kay

 

[SkiFletch]

With calcium as high as it is, adding buffer is actually a goo didea. Go very very slowly though and only add it dissolved in RO water.