Torch dying

[CancerverO]

my torch is dying.. really fast..

i have a 24 nano cube...
water quality
ammonia = 0
nitrite=0
nitrate = 20
alk= 5
calcium= 400
ph= 8.0

now i had my ph really low last week around 7.2. and have my alk high around 5.71 .. could that be the reason why my torch is dying...

first pic- today
second pic- yesterday

 

[Awibrandy]

Could be! But another problem can be to much direct flow. I lost a few heads on one of my torches because it was in direct flow.

 

[reefman]

7.2 would do it.

 

[fali]

Raise that ph. 7.2 is low even for fish

 

[CancerverO]

ok I moved my torch because it was getting strong water movement.. and I dosed my tank with ph buffer yesterday.. i will check my ph today.. thanks ....

 

[mikey3165]

also you alk should be around 8 or 9 shouldnt it

 

[marki24]

if you need temp/permenant housing for your torch LMK

Also what is your saltinity level as probably that is low as well. Since pH and Saltinity play a similar role.

 

[tosiek]

lower your alk and raise your calcium and it should fix your problem a little. 7.2 is low. Torches love indirect flow and cross currents. Also stay away from PH buffers as they are only a temporary fix. don;t use the buffer and forget you have low PH as its probably going to come back if you don;t correct the problem.

 

[CancerverO]

well my torch wont make it .. it is practically nothing left... .. so dissapointed, frustrated and really sad..

marki24.. thank u so much.. but i am not sure if it will make it until tomorrow..

I believe i have a quite a few problems.. i need advice before i lost another one

ok...

salinity: 1.024
nitrate: 30 ~40.. i need to reduce the nitrate.. I have a 24 nano cube.. im thinking to make a refuge or sump where the sponges are (in the back of the tank).. will a refuge with chaeto and mangroves reduce the nitrate?
Ph: 8.0 - i know Ph buffer is not the solution.. it can also increase the alk.. but how do i increase it? i have to find out the reason why it is so slow..
alk : is high.. now i read that if alk is high and calcium is low .. i should dose more calcium until both are ok.. but in my case.. alk and calcium are high.. should I dose more calcium?
Light: I have the light that comes with nano cube- i think they are T5 (somebody told me that).. 75 Watts - but im thinking to get MH...

thanks guys for ur help

 

[EmilyT]

sorry if your looking for another one once your perameters are stable i have one for sale

 

[CancerverO]

Thanks etompkins.. yes I will definitely get another one.. But for now.. I have to take care of the rest of my "buddies" before they die..

 

[Awibrandy]

Javier get rid of the sponges! Do a 50% water change for starters, then go back to 10% weekly, atleast until you lower the nitrates.
If your cal & alk are high do nothing. Do not add anymore until they lower naturally as your corals use up what is in the system.
From what I understand T5 are fine. What corals are you keeping that you feel you should have MH? Are you keeping clams & sps?

 

[CancerverO]

sponges r out… im getting ready for the water change…
i was thinking , perhaps, more light.. healthier corals.. no sPS or clams..

 

[marki24]

t5's will even be fine for clams but since you dont have any the lighting is fine for your corals. You just need to regular your water parameters and you will notice a difference in your corals and dont buy any until you get that straighten up. Happy Reef Keeping.

 

[CancerverO]

upgrade...
it seems everything is fine now.. well torch died...
nitrates : aprox 10
alk: 3.5 (going down to normal level)
calcium: 380
PH : 8.2 .... finally.. I read somewhere that not enough water aeration or something like that could decrease the ph.. well I put a PH pointing to the water surface and after a week.. now my PH is 8.2 .. not sure if this fix my ph.. but my PH is fine now..

thank u all for helping me out...

thanks Awi!!!!!!! thank u so much..