Need MAJOR help PLEASE!!!

[Sea~Horse~Whisperer]

I need some help solving a mystery with my 65g tank. I tore it down about 6 months ago because it had seahorses in it that had myco. I bleached the tank and tossed out all of the Live sand and live rock. I rinced it well and ran it with freshwater with extra dechlorinator for a WEEK! (to get rid of any bleach) I then emptied it again and let it air dry and refilled it again wioth freshwater and dechlorinator. I emptied it a 3rd time and let it air dry before filling it with Live sand, live rock, and saltwater.

Problem: I added macros to the tank.....they disinegrated. I tried again a month later and the same thing happened. I added star polyps that are all but unkillable and they melted away. I finally put a damsel in the tank 3 months ago and he is fine, as is the single head of a branching hammer coral I added 3 weeks ago. I have done enough 50% water changes to have completly replaced the water 10x over.

The tank is lit by 1- 250w 20k MH. I have tested the water about 50 times and everything tests fine. I'm no newbie but this one has got me stumped and more than a little pi**ed off. It's like the tank of death and I'm getting frustrated!!!

I have only tested the nitrate nitrite ph alk calcium iron, and phosphates. Any other suggestions that I may need to test for? Why would all of the macros and star polyps melt away but not the hammer and no effect on the fish?

This WAS supposed to be my new Erectus tank but I don't dare put a beloved seahorse into a tank that is questionable. If the tank can't have macros, it will never be a seahorse tank.

PLEASE help me figure this mess out. On a good note, the coraline is growing out of controle so all of the rock is beautiful purple in only 4 months.

Angie

[mutts]

What i hav noticed with my star polyps and marcos was that they flourished with iodine added into the water. i don't know if adding that will help but it may, thats as helpful as I can be.

[greg97527]

try testing for copper and other metals, also, what type of macros have you tried? culerpa will melt if there is not enough light. try chaeto. I don't understand the star polyps melting because they are generally a hardy coral.

[Sea~Horse~Whisperer]

Ok. I have not added any copper and I Use RO/DI water. I will order the test kits though. There is plenty of light. Up to last month I had 386w of PC lighting on it, then I switched to 1- 250w 20k Metal halide. I added another bunch of razor macro last night. I'll let you know if it survives or melts away like all of the other did. Is there a chlorine test kit? (bleach) I've never bought one and will if there is such a thing.

Angie

[mutts]

you can get chlorine tests at pool stores. have you tryed adding any iodine?

[greg97527]

yes get urself a hot tub test kit, it tests for alkalinity, free chlorine, bromine and ph let us know.