Well right on SeanySean! I'm glad to hear you have some polyp extension, now see if you can get the same type of flow around the other side. Once that you get the whole thing to open, it is a lot easier to see exactly what the flow is doing- remember that it requires alternating current. I achieve this with a pair of SeaSwirls at opposing ends of my 210gal. But there was a time when I only had one SeaSwirl when my Goni's were in the 125gal( check out my gallery for pics).
Lighting is not a huge factor in the requirements for success, medium lighting will do just fine. The polyps extension is where the majority of the nutrients are acquired above all. As far as water quality, LPS don't require such crystal clear water and in my own opinion need a little bit of nutrients in the water column to survive- just make sure that you keep up on your essential minerals especially Iodine, Strontium and Molybdenum. I have Mangroves in mineral mud in my sump- this might account for my success as well. I used to dose Limewater in my 125gal, but since moving to a larger tank I haven't observed the need to suppliment Ca.- I feel that the aragonite sand bed is enough to buffer the Ca. to near lagoon water quality. I wish you all the luck with your Alveopora, they are a very rewarding but challenging coral, and do not let anyone tell you that it is impossible to keep them either-just be patient and keep expirimenting until you achieve your goals! TinMan
