My corals haven't had much polyp extension

CamDAX · 02/03/2015, 08:54 PM

Hey

My corals haven't had much polyp extension in a few weeks while I'm battling my hair algae problem. My parameters (Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonia, & PH) are in check what gives?

I have Purple Stylophora, Zoa's, Xenia, Duncan's, Candy Cane, Birds nest, & red montipora.

CuzzA · 02/03/2015, 09:15 PM

If you have hair algae you have both substantial nitrates and phosphates that may not be reading very high on your test kit because they're bound into the algae. What are your phosphates?

Also, when's the last time you replaced your ro/di filters?

Finally, I've found that every so often my corals will look a little down and I'll perform 3 water changes in consecutive days and they perk up. Perhaps this is due to an increase of disolved organics/chemicals that have accumulated in my system or some of the trace elements have been exhausted and need replenishment.

CamDAX · 02/03/2015, 09:30 PM

I don't have a test for Phosphates. I replaced my ro/di filters a year ago.

I've done 2 5gal water changes in the last 4 days. I've been using the water for TTM of some fish I had but they died ;..(

Dustyboots · 02/03/2015, 09:39 PM

Phosphates def need a peek.

CuzzA · 02/03/2015, 09:52 PM

It's time to replace your rodi filters. I calibrate my tds meter every few months. Replace my DI resin about every 4-6 months and carbon block and sediment filter once a year. I would start running gfo and carbon in a reactor too if you aren't already and do another water change.

Mark9 · 02/04/2015, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamDAX

My corals haven't had much polyp extension in a few weeks while I'm battling my hair algae problem..

Just what are you doing to battle the algae?

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamDAX

My parameters (Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonia, & PH) are in check what gives?.

You have lps, you need to check ca, kh & mg.

And how about the salinity?
Using a crappy swing arm?
Verified?

Crooked Reef · 02/04/2015, 09:21 AM

Make sure your water temp is good too. Learn my temp gets low in the winter my acans shrivel and my candy canes pop heads. This is at 70. I raised it to 78 again and all is well.

FraggledRock · 02/04/2015, 09:33 AM

by "in check" what are the numbers?

also magnesium, calcium, alkalinity, PH, salinity?

ReefsandGeeks · 02/04/2015, 10:28 AM

If all of your tank peramiters are in check, you could try spot feeding them. I brodcast fed for a while, then when I spot fet within 2 days all of my corals had much more PE. Growth rates also seem to have increased. I feed my coral every night, though most people don't from what I read. I also have the means to export the extra nutrients so I can still maintain pristine water. If you don't you'd have to be careful not to feed too much and get nitrate problems.

CamDAX · 02/04/2015, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Just what are you doing to battle the algae?

To get rid of the algae I did 3 days of darkness, manual removal, feeding less, and I got a bigger protein skimmer.

Quote:

You have lps, you need to check ca, kh & mg.

Yesterday.
Ca: 460
Alk: 3.8 added 0.525 to correct
Mg: 1400

Quote:

It's time to replace your rodi filters.

I am ordering new filters for my RO/DI unit today.

Quote:

And how about the salinity?
Using a crappy swing arm?
Verified?

It's at 1.0226
I am using a swing arm but I verified it with my LFS water (1.0225).

Nitrate 0

CuzzA · 02/04/2015, 09:05 PM

Do you mean 1.026?

CamDAX · 02/10/2015, 10:09 AM

Yes. This number scale is a bit confusing to me but I make sure to keep the salinity the same every water change.

02/03/2015, 08:54 PM	#1
CamDAX Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Grass Valley, CA Area Posts: 261	My corals haven't had much polyp extension Hey My corals haven't had much polyp extension in a few weeks while I'm battling my hair algae problem. My parameters (Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonia, & PH) are in check what gives? I have Purple Stylophora, Zoa's, Xenia, Duncan's, Candy Cane, Birds nest, & red montipora. __________________ CamDAX Current Tank Info: 55 gal., 10gal. sump, DIY 1/2" PVC overflow, 2x Hydor Koralia 750/850, 2x 165W Black Box, SCA-303 (150gal) Skimmer, with 40 lb LR, 40 LS, with a purple dottyback.

02/03/2015, 09:30 PM	#3
CamDAX Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Grass Valley, CA Area Posts: 261	I don't have a test for Phosphates. I replaced my ro/di filters a year ago. I've done 2 5gal water changes in the last 4 days. I've been using the water for TTM of some fish I had but they died ;..( __________________ CamDAX Current Tank Info: 55 gal., 10gal. sump, DIY 1/2" PVC overflow, 2x Hydor Koralia 750/850, 2x 165W Black Box, SCA-303 (150gal) Skimmer, with 40 lb LR, 40 LS, with a purple dottyback.

02/03/2015, 09:39 PM	#4
Dustyboots Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 104	Phosphates def need a peek. __________________ Using Tapatalk

02/04/2015, 09:21 AM	#7
Crooked Reef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 1,765	Make sure your water temp is good too. Learn my temp gets low in the winter my acans shrivel and my candy canes pop heads. This is at 70. I raised it to 78 again and all is well. __________________ “In wine there is wisdom; in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria.” - Benjamin Franklin Current Tank Info: 90 gallon reef. Biocube 29 lionfish tank. Mantis tank.

02/04/2015, 09:33 AM	#8
FraggledRock Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: New York, New York Posts: 2,185	by "in check" what are the numbers? also magnesium, calcium, alkalinity, PH, salinity? __________________ “For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it.”― Jacques-Yves Cousteau MarineBio.org Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder w/ Bean Animal Overflow 20G Sump, Mixed Reef.

02/03/2015, 09:15 PM	#2
CuzzA Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Palm Harbor, FL Posts: 2,997	If you have hair algae you have both substantial nitrates and phosphates that may not be reading very high on your test kit because they're bound into the algae. What are your phosphates? Also, when's the last time you replaced your ro/di filters? Finally, I've found that every so often my corals will look a little down and I'll perform 3 water changes in consecutive days and they perk up. Perhaps this is due to an increase of disolved organics/chemicals that have accumulated in my system or some of the trace elements have been exhausted and need replenishment.

02/03/2015, 09:52 PM	#5
CuzzA Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Palm Harbor, FL Posts: 2,997	It's time to replace your rodi filters. I calibrate my tds meter every few months. Replace my DI resin about every 4-6 months and carbon block and sediment filter once a year. I would start running gfo and carbon in a reactor too if you aren't already and do another water change.

02/04/2015, 10:28 AM	#9
ReefsandGeeks Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,708	If all of your tank peramiters are in check, you could try spot feeding them. I brodcast fed for a while, then when I spot fet within 2 days all of my corals had much more PE. Growth rates also seem to have increased. I feed my coral every night, though most people don't from what I read. I also have the means to export the extra nutrients so I can still maintain pristine water. If you don't you'd have to be careful not to feed too much and get nitrate problems.

02/04/2015, 09:05 PM	#11
CuzzA Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Palm Harbor, FL Posts: 2,997	Do you mean 1.026?

02/10/2015, 10:09 AM	#12
CamDAX Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Grass Valley, CA Area Posts: 261	Yes. This number scale is a bit confusing to me but I make sure to keep the salinity the same every water change. __________________ CamDAX Current Tank Info: 55 gal., 10gal. sump, DIY 1/2" PVC overflow, 2x Hydor Koralia 750/850, 2x 165W Black Box, SCA-303 (150gal) Skimmer, with 40 lb LR, 40 LS, with a purple dottyback.