Possible Utah Rock Problem

Mark Peterson wrote:   Why would 3ppm water turn into 15ppm water? The Brute holding container could be dissolving into the water! How long have you used that container? How old is it? Could that dissolved substance be what is bothering this particular coral species? This is a serious issue. In case it's not clear, a plastic container should not dissolve into the water. Is it possible that something dropped into the container? How long has it been since it was completely cleaned out? Am I correct in assuming that this container is the source of top-off water? Whatever that 12ppm of impurity is, my guess is that if you eliminate that impurity, the Euphyllia, and everything else, may do much better. At the very least, at this point it's the most glaring problem I can see. I suggest using a different container ASAP and use 3 cups of AC in the aquarium as described above. Let's get that irritating 12ppm of chemical out of the water if we can. If there is no improvement in the general appearance of the entire tank after running the AC for 2 weeks, the next product I would use is made specially for this kind of issue. My preference, Poly Filter is made by www.Poly-Bio-Marine.com. My second choice is Chemi-Pure.

Bob63 - Even with the GFO and bio pellets?

Biopellets provide a source of concentrated food for bacteria which makes the tank ultra sterile of Nitrogen compounds (Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate). This article, Probiotics Demystified is a good read for anyone wishing to expand their knowledge. This method is touted as being great for reducing algae growth, because the bacteria eat the N compounds before algae can eat them, but still, any tank without sufficient herbivores (bugs, snails and fish) for it's situation is sooner or later going to have some kind of algae problem.

Granulated Ferric Oxide is not the only product for removing PO4 and silicates. There is also the less expensive Hydrated Alumina. In my experience, the need to remove PO4 is highly over-rated. It's best use is in overstocked fish tanks where feeding is heavy and in tanks where algae has gotten completely out of control. (See Controlling Nuisance Algae)

AC removes some chemicals that no other method can remove. AC is a must for every reef aquarium. In typical circumstances, at about 2 weeks, the AC is exhausted and can remove no more. It's benefit from that point is as a home for N reducing bacteria. AC exhaustion/saturation happens a little slower in an "AC Reactor" as it is called, because the water is passing more slowly over the granules.


Edited by Mark Peterson - August 23 2011 at 9:53am

I agree with Bob.

The lack of running AC, may point to the simple fact that the Euphyllia coral do not like the smell/feel of the water.   It could be as simple as that. AC will make the water nice for everyone to play in.
Aleopathy - chemical warfare between coral. AC removes this problem.

FYI, PO4 testing can be completely inaccurate.
The PO4 test just completed surprisingly came up zero so we cannot be certain about the true levels.

Slightly elevated PO4 levels are not a problem for LPS, I'm confident that PO4 is not the reason for the Euphyllia's decline. Look at the other LPS in the tank that are doing just fine. Water changes are probably a contributing factor to the Euphyllia issue. If when emptying the container, no residue is found, then the first item to look at is the powerhead. A powerhead sitting 24/7 in purified water will start to dissolve. How old is the Powerhead? I would keep the powerhead out of the water except when in use.

How old is the plastic Brute container? At a point in time, plastic begins to deteriorate. I'd look next at using a new container. All containers must be rinsed before use. There are chemicals used to help release the plastic item from the mold in the manufacturing process. Those chemicals are rinsed off in warm water.

Hope this helps.


Edited by Mark Peterson - August 23 2011 at 10:28am

Avoid the alumina phosphate remover...it was shown to cause problems in a UK study a few years back.