Can bad Phytoplex cause major problems?

[santorini]

Could bad Phytoplex cause an instant green algae bloom and corals to shrivel up?
My 8 year old 120 gallon reef aquarium was functioning properly. Then I added Phytoplex. Within three days I had a noticeable algae problem and my corals were wilting. I checked the Phytoplex bottle and it smelled realy bad.
What do I do now?

[REDNECK298]

Have you tested your water??

[DJChesnutRabbit]

If the phyto smells bad, it is more than likely dead. In turn, you probably dumped a bunch of nitrates and phosphates in to your water.
Like redneck said, do a battery of tests and I would do 25-50% water change. Also, run some carbon and/or some kind of phosphate remover.
Sorry to hear that happened to you.

[santorini]

I have tested the water:

salinity: slightly high
pH: slightly high
alk: slightly high
ammonia, nitrite, nitrate: low
phosphate: low
calcium: very low

I have done many water changes. Probably 25% or more for each of the last three weeks. 10% or more for a few weeks before that.

I have cleaned the protein skimmer frequently. I have changed my external filter's media and added some carbon. I have changed the RO/DI cartridges. I have changed the media in my phosphate reactor. I have turned up the output flow and the CO2 on my calcium reactor.

I figured that I had cleaned the water up significantly. So, I purchased a number of snails and crabs to help clean up the algae. Within one day, they were all dead.

The fish seem to be fine (knock on wood).

SO whatever this problem is: it effects the coral and the inverts but not the fish. And, it causes algae.

Any ideas?

[REDNECK298]

what is your calcium level???

[Mr.Reefer]

Do you have a lot of soft corals? It can be a iodine crash, but this won't cause a growth of algae as far as I know.
Are you using any supplements on your tank? like mag, st/mb and iodine?
What salt are you using?

And what is your calcium level?

[DJChesnutRabbit]

What's the history of your aquarium?
Did you buy it new or used ?
This is starting to sound a bit like a copper issue. You may want to consider testing for that.

[Mr.Reefer]

he says: My 8 year old 120 gallon reef aquarium was functioning properly.
so I assume it has been running ok for 8 years.
only change he made was adding the phytoplex, thats from Kent right?

[DJChesnutRabbit]

Good eye, I missed the 8yo tank part, lol.
Yes, Kent is the maker of phytoplex. I know nothing about that product, but that's why I prefer to get fresh cultured phytoplankton from some fellow reefers I know.


Woo hoo, 100 posts !!!!

[santorini]

Thanks for the input...

Yes, mostly soft corals. They all look pathetic: wilting or closed. The hard corals are getting covered with algae.

Calcium: 200 . It used to be in the 400s. Why the change?

I have always used Instant Ocean.

I add Kent Coral-Vite, Strontium/Molybdenum, Essential Elements and Lugol's Solution weekly. But, I must admit that it can easily go a few weeks at times.

Can Lugol's go bad? The dropper's plastic bulb is getting brittle...

[DJChesnutRabbit]

I find it impossible your Ca was in the 400's without Ca supplementation. IO tests in the low 300's at best. Also, IO is typically low in magnesium and high in Alk.
I use RC (Reef Crystals) and I still have to correct the Ca, Alk, PH and Mag.
Let me ask, do you make corrections to your water change water ?
In other words, to my fresh salt water, I add 1 and a 1/2 cups of 2 part calcium (calcium chloride,) 1 and a 1/2 cups of 3 part magnesium (magnesium sulfate and magnesium chloride,) and a 1/2 cup of 2 part Alk (Sodium Carbonate)
That correction in 20 gallons of RC (11 and 1/2 cups of salt) at 1.025sg make the parameters;
calcium 450ppm
magnesium 1350 mg/l
Alk 2.75 meq/l
PH 8.4
I highly recommend you test your fresh salt water, and use this, Reef Chemistry Calculator , to make the proper corrections to your water change water.
You can also use the calculator to make the corrections to your display.

Also, it helps us help you to let us know your actual test results. I.E. PH 8.6 and Alk 7 meq/l, instead of PH slightly high and Alk slightly high.

I hope my ramblings help you some.

[DJChesnutRabbit]

One more question. Your tank is 8 years old, how deep is you sand bed?
I have read, several times, about peoples deep sand beds dieing after 5 plus years. So if your SB is over 4 inches, that may be something else to look at.

[santorini]

I have a calcium reactor and I replace evaporated water with kalkwasser using a dosing pump. I have been able to maintain a calcium level in the 400s. In fact, once it made it into the 500s. Needless to say, I turned the reactor down!

I also maintained a pH of 8.3 and alkalinity of about 2.8-3.0. They are now 8.6 and 3.4

I can understand that the low calcium could effect my corals. But, why the deaths of the inverts? Could the dying corals poison the water? If so, should I do more aggressive water changes?

Why would the calcium drop so much in the first place? How does Iodine fit into the mix?

And why the algae?

[DJChesnutRabbit]

Originally Posted by santorini

But, why the deaths of the inverts? Could the dying corals poison the water? If so, should I do more aggressive water changes?

Why would the calcium drop so much in the first place? How does Iodine fit into the mix?

And why the algae?

The dying corals can put off toxins as well as nitrates/trites, ammonia etc, hence the algae.
I missed the reactor part, that makes more sense for the higher Ca levels.

As far as dying corals, as much as it sucks, your best bet if you know they're dying is to remove them to help stabilize your tank. Maybe set up a small QT to try and nurse them back, but at least if they die your not going to continue to pollute your tank.
Also, I think you need to address the low Ca levels. If you have a reactor, as well as top off with limewater, something is is not functioning properly. Also, with a reactor, that could be the source of high and low Alk. Softies and inverts can especially be sensitive to PH and Alk changes.

Iodine is not an essential element for reef aquariums. A lot of people dose for xenia, but other than that there should be plenty in IO or any commercial salt. Also, remember, iodine is very toxic.
Here's a great article on iodine, Chemistry and the Aquarium

Unfortunately, it sounds like you have several things happening at once. I wish you the best getting through all this.

[bardenmatt]

I figured that I had to clean the water greatly increased. So, I bought a few snails and crabs to help clean up algae. Day, they are all dead.