Coral not growing

thi7b · 08/18/2009, 07:36 PM

I need some help. I don't understand why my coral is not growing. I have SPS,LPS and softie. I do a 25% water change monthly. My tank is about 9month old. Fish gets feed everyday and coral once a wk. It's a 185gal. I have check my water w/ salifert.

Tank 185gal
Sump 50gal w/ live rock and chaeto
Skimmer Euroreef
Cal rect.
Carbon & Phos. rect.
Cal. 460-470
Sal. 1.025
Ph 7.8-8.0
Nitrate 0
Phos. 0
Alk 9.5-10

CubeNoob · 08/18/2009, 07:38 PM

Lighting?

Sisterlimonpot · 08/18/2009, 07:40 PM

do you have good polyp extension on your corals?

thi7b · 08/18/2009, 07:52 PM

Sorry, I have a Silfigoi 2-250de w/ 4-T5 . Tank is 60x30x25. I'm not getting any polyps extension.

CubeNoob · 08/18/2009, 07:58 PM

Type of bulbs? Spectrum? Age? Lighting seems ok anyway, nothing that would cause what your seeing IMO from what I have read so far. Without PE, I suspect something else going on inside the tank. Some parameter is off or flow isn't right.. not real sure yet though. Keep giving us more info on your equipment like Powerheads and bulbs.

sedor · 08/18/2009, 07:59 PM

Just being picky but your Ca is a tad high and your salinity could go up a point. I don't think that would stunt coral growth to much though.

How long have you had your SPS? Frags or Colonies? If they are new they could just be settling it, just maintain your tank and they will grow eventually, every type and species is different and there are so many different factors. You might drive yourself mad trying to nit pick the reasons your not getting instant results. SO far I think your doing a good job, keep it up!

thi7b · 08/18/2009, 08:02 PM

Pheonix 14k since last christmas. I have 2 vortech for flow and a mag 9.5 for return pump.

thi7b · 08/18/2009, 08:05 PM

My SPS is just a 2-3" frag. I'm using Oceanic salt and cal. is a tad high.

CubeNoob · 08/18/2009, 08:05 PM

Well dang.. forget that theory, light is perfect and so is flow IMO. Ummm.. ok, what else.. oh.. you can be like me.. don't really do much other than 50% weekly waterchanges and add a little b-ionic daily and use kalk top off water.

I know, I have heard it many times, I am crazy doing waterchanges like that, but my tank speaks for itself. Not that I am saying you need to do 50% weekly, but maybe 25% bi-monthly instead of monthly.. something along those lines to replenish trace elements you may be losing which is causing the problems. Just guessing.

thi7b · 08/18/2009, 08:09 PM

That's alot of water change per wk. I do dose baking soda and mag. w/ my top off.

ERICinFL · 08/18/2009, 10:51 PM

I find a vigorous finger wag and a stern talking to, get's my corals growing.

njdevilsfan · 08/19/2009, 04:19 AM

ever checked for stray voltage?

Albanets202 · 08/19/2009, 08:14 AM

I would get a water sample to LFS to confirm params. pH seems to be low. Should be 8.2-8.4. Photoperiod matters greatly; do you have lights on more than 8 hrs? Too much light is toxic too. On the other hand, maybe bulbs are too old? Also, water flow should be adequate.
If there is no polyp extention, something is definitely wrong.

Racing1 · 08/19/2009, 08:28 AM

I've never heard of too much light being toxic? I think the sun is out for more than 8 hours on a reef. I would venture a guess that a parameter is off somewhere, or chemical warfare. Do you run carbon? I would try doing 10-15% water changes weekly for a while and see if that helps. 25% once a month is not enough. Good Luck

thi7b · 08/19/2009, 09:37 AM

I do have carbon and phos. running. I don't think 8 hrs is too much light. I will try to do biweekly to see if it get better.

reefboy1 · 08/19/2009, 09:40 AM

What kind of fish do you have in there? Maybe the lack of polyp extension is due to nipping...

Sometimes it just takes patience...once you stop worrying about it or paying attention they'll take off.

boxerzz · 08/19/2009, 09:59 AM

Are you using RO/Di water ? What is your temp ?

thi7b · 08/19/2009, 10:20 AM

I have a yellow,blue,purple tangs, flame angel and six line wrasse. I be watching the angel. But he have not nip at any coral. I'm using ro/di and my temp showing 81-83. I don't think that is correct. I will get a one and see.

mukymuk · 08/19/2009, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Fish gets feed everyday and coral once a wk.

Maye once a week isn't enough. Might also double check that you are feeding them the right things and that the feeding is successful (not just skimmed off or otherwise filtered out).

unbreakable · 08/19/2009, 11:18 AM

why not 10% a week and 400 watters for that big of a tank? unless you have your live rock stacked to the top and have SPS there

thi7b · 08/19/2009, 11:28 AM

I have a 716w. for a 60x30x25 tank. The coral food was bought locally by one of reef member mixed.

Tyrenlds · 08/19/2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Racing1
I've never heard of too much light being toxic? I think the sun is out for more than 8 hours on a reef. I would venture a guess that a parameter is off somewhere, or chemical warfare. Do you run carbon? I would try doing 10-15% water changes weekly for a while and see if that helps. 25% once a month is not enough. Good Luck

Growth inhibition can in fact be caused by too much light. The sun may be out for more than 8 hours, but the coral only receives full intensity exposure for much less than that... maybe you could run your halides for only 4 hours a day; if no improvement is seen within a week or two then change it back. FWIW I run my T5's for 10 hours and the halides for 4 and get exceptional growth.

08/18/2009, 07:36 PM	#1
thi7b Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 274	Coral not growing I need some help. I don't understand why my coral is not growing. I have SPS,LPS and softie. I do a 25% water change monthly. My tank is about 9month old. Fish gets feed everyday and coral once a wk. It's a 185gal. I have check my water w/ salifert. Tank 185gal Sump 50gal w/ live rock and chaeto Skimmer Euroreef Cal rect. Carbon & Phos. rect. Cal. 460-470 Sal. 1.025 Ph 7.8-8.0 Nitrate 0 Phos. 0 Alk 9.5-10

08/18/2009, 07:40 PM	#3
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	do you have good polyp extension on your corals? __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

08/18/2009, 07:59 PM	#6
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	Just being picky but your Ca is a tad high and your salinity could go up a point. I don't think that would stunt coral growth to much though. How long have you had your SPS? Frags or Colonies? If they are new they could just be settling it, just maintain your tank and they will grow eventually, every type and species is different and there are so many different factors. You might drive yourself mad trying to nit pick the reasons your not getting instant results. SO far I think your doing a good job, keep it up! __________________ Ryan

08/18/2009, 10:51 PM	#11
ERICinFL Rejisturd Mimbur Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Brevard County, FL Posts: 1,346	I find a vigorous finger wag and a stern talking to, get's my corals growing. __________________ Ummmm... yeah... don't touch the Mag Float. Sorry kids, your college fund is gone, but the tank looks SWEET right? Current Tank Info: 150gal mixed reef. ER CS135, 65gal sump/fuge with a Mag12 return. (2) Korillia 4s, (1) modded MJ1200, two SunSun 3200gph powerheads. 250+lbs LR.

08/19/2009, 04:19 AM	#12
njdevilsfan Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: texas Posts: 658	ever checked for stray voltage? __________________ SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES - NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS Current Tank Info: 210lps,75anemone,60frag,20

08/18/2009, 07:38 PM	#2
CubeNoob Moved On Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Solvang, CA Posts: 200	Lighting?

08/18/2009, 07:52 PM	#4
thi7b Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 274	Sorry, I have a Silfigoi 2-250de w/ 4-T5 . Tank is 60x30x25. I'm not getting any polyps extension.

08/18/2009, 07:58 PM	#5
CubeNoob Moved On Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Solvang, CA Posts: 200	Type of bulbs? Spectrum? Age? Lighting seems ok anyway, nothing that would cause what your seeing IMO from what I have read so far. Without PE, I suspect something else going on inside the tank. Some parameter is off or flow isn't right.. not real sure yet though. Keep giving us more info on your equipment like Powerheads and bulbs.

08/18/2009, 08:02 PM	#7
thi7b Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 274	Pheonix 14k since last christmas. I have 2 vortech for flow and a mag 9.5 for return pump.

08/18/2009, 08:05 PM	#8
thi7b Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 274	My SPS is just a 2-3" frag. I'm using Oceanic salt and cal. is a tad high.

08/18/2009, 08:09 PM	#10
thi7b Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 274	That's alot of water change per wk. I do dose baking soda and mag. w/ my top off.

08/19/2009, 08:14 AM	#13
Albanets202 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Troy NY 12180 Posts: 133	I would get a water sample to LFS to confirm params. pH seems to be low. Should be 8.2-8.4. Photoperiod matters greatly; do you have lights on more than 8 hrs? Too much light is toxic too. On the other hand, maybe bulbs are too old? Also, water flow should be adequate. If there is no polyp extention, something is definitely wrong.

08/19/2009, 08:28 AM	#14
Racing1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Maine Posts: 740	I've never heard of too much light being toxic? I think the sun is out for more than 8 hours on a reef. I would venture a guess that a parameter is off somewhere, or chemical warfare. Do you run carbon? I would try doing 10-15% water changes weekly for a while and see if that helps. 25% once a month is not enough. Good Luck

08/19/2009, 09:37 AM	#15
thi7b Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 274	I do have carbon and phos. running. I don't think 8 hrs is too much light. I will try to do biweekly to see if it get better.

08/19/2009, 09:40 AM	#16
reefboy1 Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Ramon, CA Posts: 708	What kind of fish do you have in there? Maybe the lack of polyp extension is due to nipping... Sometimes it just takes patience...once you stop worrying about it or paying attention they'll take off. __________________ There are 10 types of people in the world: Those who understand binary and those who don't. Current Tank Info: 215gal display. H&S Skimmer. 375gal Flatback Hex - Grotech 300 skimmer, Schuran JetStream 1 CR, Tunze Wavebox & Stream 6200 x2, 6 ROIII 250MH

08/19/2009, 09:59 AM	#17
boxerzz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 606	Are you using RO/Di water ? What is your temp ?

08/19/2009, 10:20 AM	#18
thi7b Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 274	I have a yellow,blue,purple tangs, flame angel and six line wrasse. I be watching the angel. But he have not nip at any coral. I'm using ro/di and my temp showing 81-83. I don't think that is correct. I will get a one and see.

08/19/2009, 11:18 AM	#20
unbreakable D: Join Date: May 2007 Location: ? Posts: 2,868	why not 10% a week and 400 watters for that big of a tank? unless you have your live rock stacked to the top and have SPS there __________________ INTERNET= Serious Business!

08/19/2009, 11:28 AM	#21
thi7b Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 274	I have a 716w. for a 60x30x25 tank. The coral food was bought locally by one of reef member mixed.