Open brain and candy cane coral died

[swatchguy]

I'm bummed!! I left town for 5 days and came back to a dead 3 stalk Candy Cane and a dying Open Brain Coral. Everything was stable when I left. Readings upon my return were
NO3 0-.25, PO4 0, Ca 400, PH 8.1, Temp 82. Alk 6, SG 1.024

Any thoughts? I'd like to correct this problem before it happens again.

No apparent problems with any other fish or soft corals: zoos, palys, kenya tree, Green Nephlia,
Xenia, other Candy Canes or Torch corals, Hammer and Frogspond... assorted mushrooms and ricordia (Florida and Yuma).

Thanks, Steve

 

[Dyngoe]

Three things I'd check for:
1. Any Angel Fish?
2. What is your Mg?
3. What is your Strontium?
#3 is my guess. It caused some issues with my Lobos a few months back. Sorry for your loss. With care the brain should come back. You can probably get the candy canes from someone here. I only have 5 heads myself. Give me a few months and I'll have a few to spare.

 

[swatchguy]

DYNGOE, thanks. I've been adding Mg per directions on container. Guess I should get
Mg and Sr test kits. Also been adding slight amts (2 mls/20 g once or twice a wk). Maybe those additions made a diff. Thanks for the offer to replace my Candy Cane. I'll keep it in mind. Any ideas about how to revive my Open Brain. Any additives etc??
Thanks for your help. S

 

[Dyngoe]

After checking my Sr and Mg, I found this article helpful:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-01/nftt/index.php

 

[Mr. Ugly]

Your alk at 6 dKH is waay low. Sps and lps will be hurting.

Bring it up to 10-11 dKH.

 

[pixelpixi]

Do you supplement calcium in a non-balanced way? i.e., with a calcium supplement that doesn't supply alkalinity? That could explain why you have sufficient calcium but low alk.

If that's the case, you might want to switch to a balanced two part additive like B-Ionic.

 

[Mr. Ugly]

What Pix said.

Also, Ca is in excess relative to alk in seawater. So percentage-wise, Ca decreases at a slower rate than alk when both are consumed.

Your alk will show differences more readily than Ca when you test. So that is the one to really pay attention to. Especially given the low precision of hobbyist Ca test kits.

 

[swatchguy]

I think you both have hit the nail on the head. I'm sure my Ca/Alk chemisty was way off. The addition of Mg may have had something to do with it. Been doing some studying and Mg bonds with CO3, so too much can foul up the Ca/Alk balance. (from the article Dyngoe referred me to). You're right; I should have used a balance program. Thanks for your input. I'm working on correcting the prob. Trying to resurrect my Open Brain. Wish me luck.
Steve

 

[beaupierce]

Ill give you a few heads of CC if you want...next meeting?

 

[swatchguy]

Beaupierce, Thanks. I'll take u up on your offer. I've put both my CC and Open Brain in my
quarantine tank with the hopes that I will be able to resusitate 'em. 3 days and not luck. Still have hope. See you at the next BAR mtg. Thanks. STEVE