Struggling to get SPS growth

[Xandernfs]

I've had my tank for over a year now and I'm struggling to get most of my SPS to grow. The only SPS I have that has grown is monti cap. That thing is growing like a weed. The rest is not. Current SPS is: stylo, green slimer, monti digi, birds nest, hollywood sunner, reverse superman.

Current tank parameters are: Reefer 250, Kessil AP700, 2 MP40s

NO3: .05
PO4: .004
KH: 9
Ca: 420
Mg: 1300

The AP700 intensity is running at a 30% max. I'm not sure if I should bump up the intensity or what I should do. Thoughts on what I could do to get more growth?

[mr.scoots]

What par intensity are your lights running at? You may want to increase your lights.


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[Xandernfs]

Originally Posted by mr.scoots

What par intensity are your lights running at? You may want to increase your lights.


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Thats an issue for me....I don't have a PAR meter. I'm currently running them at 30%.

[sde1500]

30% seems pretty weak

[Xandernfs]

Originally Posted by sde1500

30% seems pretty weak

Suggestions on final percentage?


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[sde1500]

I have different lights but running blues 100% whites 50%

[Scrubber_steve]

Originally Posted by Xandernfs

Suggestions on final percentage?


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You can only get a reasonably accurate guage on your light intensity by using a par meter. If you cannot borrow one, or afford one, or don't want to spend that money, buy a cheap LUX meter. It's better than nothing & you can convert LUX to par using this link https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2013/2/equipment

Is your PO4 really .004 ? If so it needs to be raised. 0.02 to 0.1. Your NO3 could also be a little higher.

[Green Chromis]

Originally Posted by Xandernfs

Suggestions on final percentage?


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Hi, what are the dimensions of your tank, 30% seems pretty low, and how many color channels do you have on your lights? I would raise them up 5% to 10% over a weekly basis, until they are at 50%, and leave them there for a while, a few months at least, if no Improvement, try raising them up in 5% increments for another week or two and then let them sit at that percentage for a few more months.

[Uncle99]

Originally Posted by sde1500

I have different lights but running blues 100% whites 50%

Same here.
Your nitrate number is way low, would expect 2-5 ppm
Your phosphate number is way low, would expect 0.04 not 0.004
These numbers will stunt coral growth, they are starving

The other three are right on point.

If you increase light, real slowly

[Xandernfs]

Originally Posted by Uncle99

Same here.
Your nitrate number is way low, would expect 2-5 ppm
Your phosphate number is way low, would expect 0.04 not 0.004
These numbers will stunt coral growth, they are starving

The other three are right on point.

If you increase light, real slowly

How would I increase those numbers?


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[Uncle99]

Originally Posted by Xandernfs

How would I increase those numbers?


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Are you sure about those results?
You have tests that can read Phosphate to 0.004?
The lowest I can read is somewhere between 0.05 and up.
Same for nitrate..I can read above 3 ppm but 0.05?

Maybe confirm I am reading those numbers correctly
Good monticap growth is a good sign that Stoneys can calcify.

Sorry, I have not ever had to increase Nitrate and Phosphate, rather always lowering it, this I managed with carbon dosing.

I believe you can dose Nitrate, someone will likely chime in on this.

[Xandernfs]

Originally Posted by Uncle99

Are you sure about those results?
You have tests that can read Phosphate to 0.004?
The lowest I can read is somewhere between 0.05 and up.
Same for nitrate..I can read above 3 ppm but 0.05?

Maybe confirm I am reading those numbers correctly
Good monticap growth is a good sign that Stoneys can calcify.

Sorry, I have not ever had to increase Nitrate and Phosphate, rather always lowering it, this I managed with carbon dosing.

I believe you can dose Nitrate, someone will likely chime in on this.

You are correct! My fault!

NO3: .5
PO4: .04




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[Uncle99]

Ok, so that puts phosphate on-point, perfect, maintain that.
Nitrate at .5, Ok, maybe you could push this forward a bit say 2 ppm by feeding more?
We just want some nutrients in the water for corals to feed, but not enough to feed algae.

I might check PH and while I don't chase, min is 8.0, (for me) also consider running Alk just a bit higher maybe 10, this will also help increase PH. Watch ALK closely, when coral growth increases, Alk useage increases, big changes say 1dkh or more PO many corals so keep this stable.

Yup, I would raise the lights up slowly, I see nothing wrong with your water.
Increase intensity will increase corals photosynthetic processing, but slow is key.
Maybe 5% a week or biweekly from 30 to 60? That's a very nice light you have BTW!

Maybe some of this helps.....good luck....

[gprdypoo04]

Imo....

[CAPT_Dave]

BRS is now renting PAR meters. Less than $50 for a week or so (mail out and return). You could test at different settings at multiple points in your tank to get a "par map" for various light settings then turn them back to where you have them now. Then ramp up slowly like the others said until you can get to the setting that gets you to 150 to 250 in as much of the tank as possible. Keep a close eye on Alk and Ca as you increase light. You'll see evidence of growth there. They put out a good video on this on you tube on Friday.


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[Joe0813]

Are your alk, calc and mag stable?

[Xandernfs]

Originally Posted by Joe0813

Are your alk, calc and mag stable?

Yes....Now that I’ve started to use kalkwasser things are now VERY stable.

I didn’t know they did that! Once I get my percentages up I’ll prolly do that!


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[rc1626]

Originally Posted by Xandernfs

Yes....Now that I’ve started to use kalkwasser things are now VERY stable.

I didn’t know they did that! Once I get my percentages up I’ll prolly do that!


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How long have they been stable? How are coral colors? What type of flow do you currently have in the display?

You have to figure out a way to get your hands on a meter to measure your lighting.

[Xandernfs]

Originally Posted by rc1626

How long have they been stable? How are coral colors? What type of flow do you currently have in the display?

You have to figure out a way to get your hands on a meter to measure your lighting.

The coral has been stable since I've got them. Colors are vibrant, especially after reef energy. Flow is by 2x MP40 running around 10-15%

[CAPT_Dave]

2 MP 40s are great for that setup but I wonder if you have them running too low for an SPS dominant tank. Recommend watching the BRS TV episode on flow on You Tube. BRS and World Wide Corals (WWC) say flow is the single most important thing in an SPS dominant tank ( more so than light) and it's better to have way too much than not enough. Random flow is important so you're not blasting the coral the same way all the time.

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[Xandernfs]

Originally Posted by CAPT_Dave

2 MP 40s are great for that setup but I wonder if you have them running too low for an SPS dominant tank. Recommend watching the BRS TV episode on flow on You Tube. BRS and World Wide Corals (WWC) say flow is the single most important thing in an SPS dominant tank ( more so than light) and it's better to have way too much than not enough. Random flow is important so you're not blasting the coral the same way all the time.

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My pipe organ is flowing like crazy and my frogspawn/octospawn is in the corner since it's quite a bit. The polyps on the SPS are moving pretty well too.