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Sk8r · 08/08/2008, 04:52 PM

Hard to say. I'd suggest if you can get a little frag of gsp (green star polyp) and put it in the corner of your tank where it can't grow onto other rock...if it won't come out, you've got a water quality problem (or lighting: it doesn't use too much light, so don't think mh; or is being blasted with flow). But it is cranky about water conditions, particularly alkalinity. Couple it with a mushroom or two and they will warn you about a salinity change by shriveling a bit. They're not hard to grow, and provide something you can look at that will warn you if something is going 'off' with your water. The reason I suggest this is not because I am on a campaign, but because my fast check of life requirements for this fish indicates a really long acclimation suggestion---which indicates it may not cope well with ups and downs of water condition, like salinity or alkalinity.
First, if you don't have an autotopoff rig, get one: it just makes life easier. If you aren't using ro/di water, do: you can at least get ro at walmart: keeps unknown trace elements that don't evaporate from building up in your water over time.
I'd recommend running carbon just to remove extra organics. You also don't mention a skimmer. That removes amino acids that pile up. your 10% weekly water changes; keep those up. but if you dont' have a skimmer consider getting one rated for at least 120 gallons.
these are all suggestions in the dark, but been there, got the teeshirt. it's always your prettiest fish; and they're hard come by because they're delicate, darn it.

One additional trick I've learned over the years: make your qt tank agree with your fish source in salinity (and use a refractometer: last you a lifetime and accurate to .001.) That way, when the fish arrives, you dont' need a long salinity-adjustment, can just match temp and make a gentle adjustment of water, then just topoff with salt water daily until you've got a match (fish always come in lower in salinity.) That way it's very gentle change and the fish doesn't stress, or have kidney trouble (salinity problem.)
HTH some at least. Go ahead with your lights on and start figuring how to stabilize if you have any instability going on.

08/08/2008, 04:52 PM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Hard to say. I'd suggest if you can get a little frag of gsp (green star polyp) and put it in the corner of your tank where it can't grow onto other rock...if it won't come out, you've got a water quality problem (or lighting: it doesn't use too much light, so don't think mh; or is being blasted with flow). But it is cranky about water conditions, particularly alkalinity. Couple it with a mushroom or two and they will warn you about a salinity change by shriveling a bit. They're not hard to grow, and provide something you can look at that will warn you if something is going 'off' with your water. The reason I suggest this is not because I am on a campaign, but because my fast check of life requirements for this fish indicates a really long acclimation suggestion---which indicates it may not cope well with ups and downs of water condition, like salinity or alkalinity. First, if you don't have an autotopoff rig, get one: it just makes life easier. If you aren't using ro/di water, do: you can at least get ro at walmart: keeps unknown trace elements that don't evaporate from building up in your water over time. I'd recommend running carbon just to remove extra organics. You also don't mention a skimmer. That removes amino acids that pile up. your 10% weekly water changes; keep those up. but if you dont' have a skimmer consider getting one rated for at least 120 gallons. these are all suggestions in the dark, but been there, got the teeshirt. it's always your prettiest fish; and they're hard come by because they're delicate, darn it. One additional trick I've learned over the years: make your qt tank agree with your fish source in salinity (and use a refractometer: last you a lifetime and accurate to .001.) That way, when the fish arrives, you dont' need a long salinity-adjustment, can just match temp and make a gentle adjustment of water, then just topoff with salt water daily until you've got a match (fish always come in lower in salinity.) That way it's very gentle change and the fish doesn't stress, or have kidney trouble (salinity problem.) HTH some at least. Go ahead with your lights on and start figuring how to stabilize if you have any instability going on. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.