Salinity Causing issues?

shadynate

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Hey all-

I have a mixed reef mainly stocked with softies and a RBT anemone and a gonipora. The zoanthids are not doing well or thriving, some melting away. Mushrooms aren't doing too hot. The coral dont seem to be thriving, just surviving.
Calcium is high- 518.
Phosphate 0.2
Nitrate 12.3
Alkalinity 8.4
Magnesium 1200
pH 8.0

Now, here's where I may have an issue. My salinity is 31.5-32ppt. Could the low salinity be the cause of stunted coral growth and melting away? If so, how slowly do I have to raise the salinity in the tank and how should I go about doing that? I just added one spoon full of salt to the tank, should I do this once a day? Or once every. two hours? Thanks in advance :)
 

Mr. Mojo Rising

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Never add raw salt to the tank, dissolve it in a cup then add it.
But I would just let the water evaporate until you get it to the right spot.

If the salinity is going up and down then it might bother the corals, but if it was always stable at 32 ppt then the corals will have acclimated to it.
 

Mr. Mojo Rising

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Actually 32 ppt is 1.024, I keep one of my tanks at that level, that won't bother your corals, definitely will not cause zoa's to melt, sorry. Maybe you can share more details and we can try to help.

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chip shop

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Sorry looked at post and saw different numbers I’ll put my reading glasses on
 
OP
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S

shadynate

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Here are my last ICP analysis results. The salinity of the tank currently, is 31.5ppt and calcium is 518. Phosphate is .24 nitrate around 12. I am running a scotch XR15 at 75% on AB+. I just changed it to 60%. Perhaps I am running too high of lighting?
 

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Mr. Mojo Rising

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Hey beautiful tank and love the rock work.

I’m still thinking low light but IDK. It’s a popular light so hope others can comment on its efficiency on your size tank. Good luck.
 

taricha

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Keep your salinity at whatever level your salinity checker was reading for that triton test in july. It's spot on (salinity and major elements).
That's not the issue (or wasn't then)
 
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