Torches dying after lowering phosphate using Rowaphos

Dennerle · April 6, 2021

I need urgent advice here.

I have 1 hammer, 1 frogspawn and 2 torches.

Recently I have use alot of Rowaphos and thereafter, caused 1 of my torch and 1 frogspawn to die and only left the skeleton.

1 more torch seems to be dying coz the flesh starts retreating.

Although left skeleton, I'm hoping they are not dead and will rise some day.

What could be wrong?

Here are my water paramters:

Temp: 25 to 26 degree Celsius

SG: 35ppt

Alkalinity: 9 dKH

Calcium 400 ppm

Nitrate: 10 ppm

Phosphate: 0.06

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Otaku Reefer · April 6, 2021

U using rowa to lower phosphate for algae issues? u need to start slow. As age old advice in reefing, u need to be patient and not shock the system. Best to use less rowa at the start and monitor. Slowly increase the dose and do regular measurements. For algae issues, do find a root cause (over feeding, too high bio load and not establish nutrient export) and implement the stable export system.

Sorry to tell u chances of comeback is near zero, i used to hope like u last time, but corals if they press self destruct button due to bad water parameters is likely gone case. Only exception i found was due coral stinging or wrong placement which is higher chance of recovery. just my opinion.

For algae, best solution i tink is manual removal with toothbrush and siphon, u need put in hard work also. over time the algae will disappear provided ur nutrient export is establish. Thats why got this term call “ugly” phase, it will pass one day.

Take it slow, hope got help u.

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R0B · April 6, 2021

You say you have been running a lot of phosphate remover, then this would make me think that your phosphate level was much higher recently. Phospate remover strips out not just phosphate but other elements too. So maybe you stripped out too much and that impacted the corals. Corals dont like change.

If not it could be bacterial, did they produce any brown jelly? (Although I doubt it is bacterial)

I suggest a couple of water changes. As for the coral you can give it an iodine dip.

You could also place in different tank area just incase it is a lighting or flow related but I doubt that also. Typically once they disappear into their skeletons it is hard to get them back.

Wish you luck.

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Dennerle · April 11, 2021

Thanks all!

I really think my torches will never come back. Now I am just seeing skeleton.

And I think I shocked my system too much by using alot of rowa suddenly.

I used to have manageable issue but things get worst when I intro rowa ..maybe nutrient imbalances.

Further aggravated by when I dose vibrant once a week.

Now my tank is super dirty in terms of my rock alot of dust. Perhaps some algae is dying off causing the dust look.

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