2 months in and need insight

[Worleyxxx]

This is the best/clearest photo I can get through my makeshift viewer (clear acrylic overflow box ) ..let me know if this helps at all.

 

[mbingha]

As long as it maintains its color and doesn't get blotchy or start shrinking/decomposing I wouldn't worry too much. If it's still like that after a week, then I'd worry. Higher flow was the right call, but I'm not sure I'd give it more light. I may have missed it, but what lighting do you have?

 

[Worleyxxx]

I'm using a Current USA marine orbit LED. It's about halfway up my tank right now.

 

[mbingha]

Yea... Hope I'm not the first to break it to you but those are weak lights, you can maybe get away with keeping them on high for 10 hours a day with softies but you won't be able to keep higher light corals long term.

 

[Worleyxxx]

I'm well aware that's why I bought it, it was in expensive and low profile and I really ONLY want to delve into softies until later down the road. When and if I decide to move into sps/lps I'll get another light but I have no intention on doing so anytime soon.

 

[mbingha]

I'm well aware that's why I bought it, it was in expensive and low profile and I really ONLY want to delve into softies until later down the road. When and if I decide to move into sps/lps I'll get another light but I have no intention on doing so anytime soon.

:thumbup:

 

[intyme]

Op- I lived in Tampa/ st Pete for 15 yrs. I liked marine warehouse by the airport

 

[Worleyxxx]

I actually got my light from Marine warehouse and he tried saying it was good for all corals (I had done my research prior so I knew it wasn't), they get some cool stuff in but their customer service has really gone down. I was there once when the owners son told a lady "if you can't figure out your water issues maybe you should just collect bottle caps." I don't think I'll shop there anymore after that.

mbingha: The tank the toadstool came from was running the same lighting and I made sure it would be fine. Like I said the first 5-6 days it was fully extended and seemed to be doing well, then I got slightly paler and receded over the span of about 24 hours which made me think it was the wax thing. Given the size f the tank and it's location I still feel it's getting enough lighting even if it's not ideal.

 

[mbingha]

Yea, I doubt light is the issue with the toadstool, I was just giving you a heads up for future coral purchases. I'd almost bet that it'll open back up in the next few days assuming water checks out OK. It just appears to be typical shedding. Moderate flow, good water, and time is all it needs.

 

[Worleyxxx]

I just did a 15% water change today so hopefully that will help with any water issue that may have come up since my last testing. I'm picking up a new purigen filter and thinking about one of seachems phosphate filter bags as well tomorrow just as a safety net (haven't had any issues yet). Hopefully in the future LEDs will get a little cheaper with the demand for them as the ramp up and down and effects are stellar compared to any MH or T5 lights. That way I can get a more equipped LED without spending $500+

 

[mbingha]

Have you looked into reefbreeders? Their value fixtures are very economical. They don't have the cool features if the light you have now, but they are quite capable of growing anything you put in there. For a little extra, the photon series is fantastic. It has hourly or half hour programming and you have full control of lighting intensity and temperature.

 

[Worleyxxx]

I have actually, I really like the photon series. Over the next few months I'll be setting up a 90 square 30x30x30 and am thinking I will go that route. Granted I'll have to save a few paychecks for the light I want this thing to be able to keep anything. The nano with the current is really just my own little reef in my room and I like softies more than anything. The 90 will be a family room tank so everyone will have some input into it. I'm slowly getting all the materials for it but lights are something I need...that and a new protein skimmer, not a fan of the one it came with.

 

[Worleyxxx]

Been awhile since I posted on this thread but I'm at a loss, my colony of radioactive dragon eyes looked bad yesterday. They were very brown and closed up like something was really bothering them. I dipped in Two Fishies revive and now they look much worse. Any ideas? I'm almost at the point where I want to do a total breakdown of my nano and start over as I never dipped when I first started and I'm sure I have some pests I don't want in there.

 

[leadsinker]

Do you have ato set up? Stability is key for nano's. Certain zoas /coral react to salinity swings.

Lights out commando, check for critters

 

[Worleyxxx]

Do you have ato set up? Stability is key for nano's. Certain zoas /coral react to salinity swings.

Lights out commando, check for critters

I don't have an ATO set up other than my twice a day level check and fill. Old school but no problems with doing it that way the last few months. I checked for critters last week when I first saw a change but didn't spot anything so I let it be. Then yesterday it look way worse so figured I'd dip to be safe. Now they're really unhappy everything else in the tank looks fine except for this colony.

 

[shesacharmer]

Typical leather behavior...just shedding and don't worry...sometimes takes longer than other times.