This guy looks like I feel

[Cali Kid]

Well, its been three whole days now and my toadstool has not extended its polyps. I've had this coral about a month now and its polyps have always been extended during the day and at night they withdrawl. It is located in a good flow area under 960 watts off VHO lighting. All other corals and fish in the tank appear to be healthy. (except I did notice a little yellow sponge (about the size of a quarter) looks like it is deteriating, or being eaten.

Note: My Alk and Ca have slowly dropped kinda low (ok I'm sugar coating it)

I had been using baking soda for buffering and Turbo Calcium for well....calcium (not impressed with the turbo calcium...turbo and reef just don't mix I guess). I now have the (2) 1 gallon jugs of ESV B-Ionic.

As of 8/27/02:
Ca = 220 ppm
Alk = 2.97 meq/L
Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 0

As of Today:
PH = 8.49 (3:00 P.M.)
SG = 1.025 (Refractometer)

Ok one more confession - It has been about a month since my last water change. I'm going to do a 20% water change this weekend........I swear

Tank specs - 125g display with 60g sump. approx 150 lbs of live rock, 6" DSB (oolitic) Mostly LPS and softies.

[Spanky]

Cali Kid - HI

Actually Calcium Chloride (Turbo) is excellent for tanks that have a low calcium demand. Unless you have a tank full of fast growing SPS, it will work just fine. Where you run into problems is heavy dosing it in conjunction with sodium bicarbonate and not doing frequent large water changes. It tends to skew the composition of your sea water to a mixture heavy in sodium and chloride.

You probably need to do about a 50% water change and watch your alk from now on. Low alk will also keep soft corals from opening properly.

HTH

[mojoreef]

You da man Spanky.

Sean I will try to put that into cali terms for ya.

Yo mixing bunch chemicals into the pot where dem chimicals need to be straight (balanced). Tis causing you to be shaken (unbalanced) the house (water chemistry) Take a shower (do a water change) and you will feel the joy (will add the rest of the elements that will rebalance your ssystem)


you know how loves ya Sean

[Cali Kid]

Spanky,

Thanks for the advice. I think you nailed it. I was dosing more than the reccommended amount because I didn't see any results after one week. I think the ESV method may be easier for me.

Thanks again,

Sean

[Cali Kid]

True Dat Mojo.

[fishinchick]

When my sarco gets to looking like that.... it has a shiny covering like cellphane. It takes about 4 days to a week and sheds it off and all is back to normal. It might be dong that too.

[Cali Kid]

Originally posted by fishinchick
When my sarco gets to looking like that.... it has a shiny covering like cellphane. It takes about 4 days to a week and sheds it off and all is back to normal. It might be dong that too.

fishinchick,

Thats exactly what it looks like. Sorry forgot to mention that in the original post.

I'm still going to do the 50% water change this weekend......really I promise. I think Spanky's right about the composition of the water.


Thanks for the heads-up fishinchick

[Doug1]

You might try gently using the baster on it to see if you can help it shed its waxy build up

[Cali Kid]

Originally posted by Doug1
You might try gently using the baster on it to see if you can help it shed its waxy build up

Thanks Doug.

I'll give it a shot.

[cath]

Originally posted by Doug1
You might try gently using the baster on it to see if you can help it shed its waxy build up

That's just what I did too, and it is once more a happy camper!

[skilter]

Mojoreef,
your hell-a funny man!

[Cali Kid]

Guess who finally decided to come out and play. This is about 3 days after the water change. I also helped it shed by gently blowing on it with the turkey baster.

I have also been dosing the ESV B-Ionic 2 part supplement for buffering and calcium.

As of today:

Ca = 280 ppm (still a little low)
Alk = 3.43 meq/L ... 9.6 dKH (also still a little low)

Thanks everyone for your help,

Sean

[Spanky]

Nothing like a breath of fresh air and a trip to the beauty shop.

I hate to suggest this Sean, but you could bump your Ca up with a couple spoons of calcium chloride. Then once it's in line, it will be easier to maintain with the two parters.

Spanks

[Cali Kid]

Originally posted by Spanky
Nothing like a breath of fresh air and a trip to the beauty shop.

I hate to suggest this Sean, but you could bump your Ca up with a couple spoons of calcium chloride. Then once it's in line, it will be easier to maintain with the two parters.

Spanks

Thanks Spanky,
It's an honor to receive your advice and I respect your opinions. I will add the Calcium Chloride as you suggested. I'm certainly more interested in the well being of my tank than my ego.

Thanks again for the advice,

Sean

[cath]

Originally posted by Cali Kid


Thanks Spanky,
It's an honor to receive your advice and I respect your opinions.

Sean

HAHAHAHA!

Oh, sorry Spanky, I couldn't help myself