Unorthodox problems? Need advice

[Pseudoskill]

I am dumbfounded by my 40G IM. If you see my previous posts, I actually tore it down about 5 months in and restarted, but am still having issues.

Current parameters
~ 78-78.5 F Temp ( Apex )
1.025 Salinity (Refractometer)
7.95 - 8.2 pH swings daily ( Apex )
~ 8 Alk (Hanna checker)
Undetectable ammonia (RedSea)
Undetectable Nitrite (RedSea)
5ish Nitrate (RedSea) *Just did WC yesterday

I have 5 fish and ~10-15 hermits that are all doing great. Tank is about 7-8 weeks old at this point, not super mature, but still having issues I wasn't expecting.

Rocks are brown, even green in spots. Get green growing on glass I scrape off occasionally during WC

I CANNOT keep a coral or a different invert. Tried adding a small hammer and zoa colony once cycling was done, hammer melted almost instantly. Zoas are half/half showing. I use a template for my AI primes I got from my LFS, and had it on acclimation mode starting at 35% over 5 days. I waited 2-3 weeks and got 3 astrea snails and a cleaner shrimp today at my LFS, all died instantly when added, despite me float acclimating and then adding water for about an hour. I acclimate corals the same way.

This is my 5th tank, and I've had success in the past with LPS and BTAs. I cannot figure out what is going on with this tank. I bought an ICP test today and will do that asap.

So my question is, does anyone have any weird/unorthodox things they've encountered? Equipment somehow leeching into water? Current from cords? Buildup somewhere you wouldn't think of? At this point I'm lost.

 

[JCM]

Have you calibrated your refractometer? Verified that reading with another instrument? Using RODI water? TDS?

 

[EricR]

Inverts dying instantly after acclimation while established fish/hermits fine would have me worrying about high salinity. Have you checked with a 2nd device beyond whatever refractometer you're using?
*ICP test can't hurt so it'll be interesting to see if that shows any danger levels but seems less likely given current fish/inverts fine

 

[Pseudoskill]

Have you calibrated your refractometer? Verified that reading with another instrument? Using RODI water? TDS?

I have not calibrated my refractometer on a bit, I will check that asap. I get RO and salt water from my LFS, not sure what they use but they're the only real store in my city and most people get their water there, reefing is decently popular here. Temp/pH I've double checked with a secondary tank thermometer and a RedSea test.

 

[Pseudoskill]

Have you calibrated your refractometer? Verified that reading with another instrument? Using RODI water? TDS?

Have you ever used a Hanna salinity checker? I've never used one as I had my doubts but my LFS has one and I'm debating just grabbing it. I've heard they can consistently be off by about .002 or so on readings.

 

[Troylee]

Rocks ever seen copper?

 

[nothing_fancy]

I have a 40G IM as well, great tank. Shrimp dieing right away like that sounds like the tank is not stable in some way and I don't think solid advice can be given until those ICP tests are back. You could grab a copper test kit just in case in the meantime. Phosphate too perhaps? Def interested in seeing the ICP. Outside of that, IMO 8 weeks is soon to be adding corals...especially if you just tore it down and maybe things are changing a bit in the first month or so...

 

[nothing_fancy]

Have you ever used a Hanna salinity checker? I've never used one as I had my doubts but my LFS has one and I'm debating just grabbing it. I've heard they can consistently be off by about .002 or so on readings.

I use the Hannah salinity checker, it's a very good tester if you keep it in cal.

 

[Pseudoskill]

Wow...I think I identified the problem. Does anyone have any insight as to how often refractometers should be recalibrated?! I did mine maybe...6 months ago (lol) and just found out that it is definitely not registering '0' for RO water. Feel very stupid right now,but hoping this is the cause of my problems!!

 

[JCM]

Have you ever used a Hanna salinity checker? I've never used one as I had my doubts but my LFS has one and I'm debating just grabbing it. I've heard they can consistently be off by about .002 or so on readings.

I have not.

New inverts dying immediately while your current inverts are fine makes me think there is a big salinity difference between your tank and the stores.