[kmcginnis]

Hi,

I have a 28 gal tank and have been working closely with the LFS owner on it's progress and things to put in it. I have 2 types of small coral - one pulsing xenia and one polyp. Both did well in the start, but now seem to be disappearing. The polyp just seems to be loosing litle arms and the xenia seems to be shrinking in size from the start.

I also have in the tank: 3 snails, 3 small red-legged hermits, one small goby, one small fire shrimp, one clown and one domino damsel. My tank readings are all great and I've double checked with the LFS owner and he also thinks they are fantastic. I feed the corals every other day, lights are on 9hrs.....any suggestions?

Thanks!!

[Jeremy0322]

What kind of lighting is in the tank, and what kind of flow do you have going..

[kmcginnis]

I have the AquaPod, so whatever came with it standard. My LFS owner says it is fine for what I have right now and that I'll need more power in the pump later on.

[patrick1234]

Well it is hard to say why they may not like the place they are in maby lighting maby feeding to much how old is the tank and do you use ro or tap

[kmcginnis]

Hi,

It's been up and stable, again working with the LFS closely for 6 weeks now. Maybe the coral is adjusting??? I'm going there today to ask as I've not been able to get there this week yet.

[kmcginnis]

Sorry! Using tap but treating it myself. Have 2 water changes already (about 20%) and doing a third on Sunday with a sponge cleaning.

[pogodzib]

What kind of polyp is it? Most polyps are easy to keep so that would be the coral that I'd focus on. Xenia can be tricky if that water parameters aren't what they like and will melt away. Since you say that you've been working with your LFS for 6 weeks and you're experience says 1 month, I'm going to guess that your tank is 6 weeks old. Even if the tank's water parameters are all testing good, many times people corals have a tough time surviving in a tank that young. At this point, it won't hurt t o do a water change and move the location of the polyp higher in the tank if possible to make sure that it is getting enough light. Spot feeding the polyp may also help, but in a new tank, that can be very dangerous since it could cause a major second cycle. Also, if your tank is that young, you shouldn't have that many fish in your tank yet - which again leads to how stable your water parameters are. Please, let us know how long the tank has been set up? It is very important for everyone here to help you figure out why yo are having problems.

[pogodzib]

Originally Posted by kmcginnis

Sorry! Using tap but treating it myself. Have 2 water changes already (about 20%) and doing a third on Sunday with a sponge cleaning.

If your treating your tap water with an additive, all that they do is bind the heavy metals and neutralize the chlorine. They don't actually keep them chemicals out of the tank. Using a good source of RO/DI water is always prefered. You may have something in your tap water that your not testing for that isn't being neutralized causing problems with your water column and corals.

[rlcline76]

To add to what Brian said, if you cannot get an RO/DI unit right away, go to the grocery store and set yourself up with some distilled water for changes and topoff.

[reefcouple]

You really shouldn't use tap water. Ask your LFS if they carry RO or salt water? You can pick up an an empty 5 gallon water jug anywhere for about 5-6 bucks.. and the RO will run under .40, the premixed saltwater around 1.00/gallon.

I would start with that...

Good luck, and hope all turns out well...

[kmcginnis]

Thanks for the advidce!!! I'll do the distilled or my LFS!!

[lynnvangsnes]

I gotta ditto what Brian, Becky and Randy said. There is no substitute for RO water.

[CyberJester]

I do not see your water parameters on the page what are they?
your parameters should be a good indication of whats going on/wrong.