LDJ
New Member
Hi,
I have a 32 gallon bio cube and went on 2 1/2 weeks vacation. My coral and fish were looking and doing great before the vacation.
I had an auto feeder feeding daily and a family member checking in every couple of days and feeding brine shrimp.
When I came back I had a major red algae outbreak which smothered some coral and other coral looked sickly. Fish acted normal. I immediately did some water tests. Nitrate was up to 10, normally 5 or below. PH was 8.1. Phosphates was zero. Temp 86 and salinity 1.025. I started testing Alkalinity with a red sea test and it was 1-3 dkh. So I started to add a solution of baking soda on a daily basis. The Red Sea test was older and out of date. When I finished the solution, I ordered a Salifert Alk test.
Since the levels looked good I did a 15% water change and stopped my auto feeder, which I think was over feeding in my absence. It has been two months, my corals are still suffering. Algae has slowed down, but I still can't get my Alkalinity to read with the Salfert test kit.
I ran out of Red Sea Alkalinity test, ordered a new Salifert Alkalinity and I keep getting a zero results on alkalinity. I ordered a new Salifert test and same results. I have done a 30% water change with IO Salt. I tested the RODI water with IO salt and Alkalinity was around 7-8. Today still no readings on alkalinity in the tank. My duncan coral which was the healthiest is really closed up. Any ideas on what I need to do? The aquarium has been set up for 2 1/2 years.
I have a 32 gallon bio cube and went on 2 1/2 weeks vacation. My coral and fish were looking and doing great before the vacation.
I had an auto feeder feeding daily and a family member checking in every couple of days and feeding brine shrimp.
When I came back I had a major red algae outbreak which smothered some coral and other coral looked sickly. Fish acted normal. I immediately did some water tests. Nitrate was up to 10, normally 5 or below. PH was 8.1. Phosphates was zero. Temp 86 and salinity 1.025. I started testing Alkalinity with a red sea test and it was 1-3 dkh. So I started to add a solution of baking soda on a daily basis. The Red Sea test was older and out of date. When I finished the solution, I ordered a Salifert Alk test.
Since the levels looked good I did a 15% water change and stopped my auto feeder, which I think was over feeding in my absence. It has been two months, my corals are still suffering. Algae has slowed down, but I still can't get my Alkalinity to read with the Salfert test kit.
I ran out of Red Sea Alkalinity test, ordered a new Salifert Alkalinity and I keep getting a zero results on alkalinity. I ordered a new Salifert test and same results. I have done a 30% water change with IO Salt. I tested the RODI water with IO salt and Alkalinity was around 7-8. Today still no readings on alkalinity in the tank. My duncan coral which was the healthiest is really closed up. Any ideas on what I need to do? The aquarium has been set up for 2 1/2 years.
