Okay I have two separate issues here, and I'm hoping we I can use your expertiese to solve this one.
Problem One:
My pin cushin urchin looks like he's sick
I've had him for about a month in my 29 gal. He was doing great until about a week ago when he started loosing pins. I didn't worry too much at first because he was really active, but he hasn't moved much in the last two days (he is still alive though). As for feeding I haven't done a whole lot other than about once a week I've given him a piece of Kreel to suppliment his algae eating. I have my water parameters below. If you see any issues here please let me now. Any suggestion at this point is more than welcome.
Calcium: Between 380-400 ppm
Alkalinity: 125.3 ppm
Amonia: O
Nitrate: .05
Phosphate: 0
Salinity: 1.024 (I know this is probably a little high, I'm slowly working on bringing it down)
Temp: 80 at night, 83-84 during the day.
Problem Two:
I have a general star in my 10 gal nano. He's alone in the tank minus a few snails and hermit crabs. I have had him for about a month and he has been doing awesome! He would wait at the top with one leg floating on the surface for me to feed him, way cool animal, he has become one of my favorites! Three or four days ago I noticed a rust color orange developing on his body, (he's mostly gray with red bumps). Over the last few days he has become very thin looking, the rust orange color has progressed and he has gone from being very active to rarely moving. He has also stopped eating... Here are his water parameters.
Calcium: 40 ppm
Alkalinity: 214.8 ppm
Amonia: 0
Phosphate: 0
Nitrate: 20 ppm
Salinity: 1.024 (slowly lowering)
Temp: 79 at night, 81-82 during the day.
I'm assuming he isn't doing well because either the calcium is way to low, or the alkalinity is way too high. Also, I'm concerned because there is nitrate in his water. What should I adjust (calcium, alkalinity) and how is the best way of going about changing things.
I did a 10% water change on both tanks tonight and change the carbon in both filters.
If you have any ideas on what I can do to save my friends, please let me know.
Thanks,
Tim