Inexplicable --- ideas

MFSullivan · 12-25-2007, 01:50 PM

Today, lights on at 7:00am, I was out til 1:00pm and returned ---

every last species is as full extended and brightly colored as I've ever seen in this tank ---

Xenias are almost double their usual mass, ever mushroom is almost double the diameter that they've been at, alveopora is extended taller than ever (while yesterday it did not extend at all).

The only change in the environment is that I lowered the water temp yesterday 2 degrees to ~78. (Maybe today is the first time they'll feel the difference)

Beyond that no change whatsoever. Is there anything to explain such drastic change to the corals?

lcstorc · 12-25-2007, 03:50 PM

Give it some time and see if it continues. Could be the temp but that is a small difference for a big change. Did you do anything else like a water change or cleaning pumps etc? I would think that would be more likely as the cause. Hopefully it will continue whatever it is.

MFSullivan · 12-25-2007, 09:41 PM

um....duh.... I did a good size water change (~20%) the prior day. What's different than previous water changes was that I used an RO unit rated at 99+% purity, as compared to RO water from the LFS (used previously, but adding up to the point that it was no longer worth it). (Maybe their water isn't as clean as they'd like me to believe)

I'm now using my own RO water for top off's as well.

I'll watch this over the next few days and see if the trend is stable, and then go for another major water change or 2.

blue_eyes53813 · 12-25-2007, 10:38 PM

Sounds like they like the new water. SOMETIMES lfs dont keep the filters as clean as they should be and call it RO water, when its not.

Have you changed foods or added anything different to the tank as far as feedings go?

MFSullivan · 12-26-2007, 04:58 PM

It has to be attributable to a major upgrade to water quality... Ammonia and Nitrite are Zilch and Nitrates are non-discernable on a color scale.

This creates a new problem, where the positioning of some corals are now crowding others, ie: a finger leather is laying on top of purple mushrooms, where they were at least 2 inches apart up until yesterday........

Next lesson -- compatibility

12-25-2007, 01:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
MFSullivan Tubeworm Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockville Centre, NY Posts: 30 View Gallery Karma Komment	Inexplicable --- ideas Today, lights on at 7:00am, I was out til 1:00pm and returned --- every last species is as full extended and brightly colored as I've ever seen in this tank --- Xenias are almost double their usual mass, ever mushroom is almost double the diameter that they've been at, alveopora is extended taller than ever (while yesterday it did not extend at all). The only change in the environment is that I lowered the water temp yesterday 2 degrees to ~78. (Maybe today is the first time they'll feel the difference) Beyond that no change whatsoever. Is there anything to explain such drastic change to the corals? __________________ ____________________________________ Mike Big Fish Little Fish

12-25-2007, 03:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,889 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Inexplicable --- ideas Give it some time and see if it continues. Could be the temp but that is a small difference for a big change. Did you do anything else like a water change or cleaning pumps etc? I would think that would be more likely as the cause. Hopefully it will continue whatever it is. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

12-25-2007, 09:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
MFSullivan Tubeworm Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockville Centre, NY Posts: 30 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Inexplicable --- ideas um....duh.... I did a good size water change (~20%) the prior day. What's different than previous water changes was that I used an RO unit rated at 99+% purity, as compared to RO water from the LFS (used previously, but adding up to the point that it was no longer worth it). (Maybe their water isn't as clean as they'd like me to believe) I'm now using my own RO water for top off's as well. I'll watch this over the next few days and see if the trend is stable, and then go for another major water change or 2. __________________ ____________________________________ Mike Big Fish Little Fish

12-25-2007, 10:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 6,920 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Inexplicable --- ideas Sounds like they like the new water. SOMETIMES lfs dont keep the filters as clean as they should be and call it RO water, when its not. Have you changed foods or added anything different to the tank as far as feedings go? __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

12-26-2007, 04:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
MFSullivan Tubeworm Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockville Centre, NY Posts: 30 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Inexplicable --- ideas It has to be attributable to a major upgrade to water quality... Ammonia and Nitrite are Zilch and Nitrates are non-discernable on a color scale. This creates a new problem, where the positioning of some corals are now crowding others, ie: a finger leather is laying on top of purple mushrooms, where they were at least 2 inches apart up until yesterday........ Next lesson -- compatibility __________________ ____________________________________ Mike Big Fish Little Fish

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