Coral Additions/Growth in 1 year Old Tank

t_fins

New member
So my Biocube 29 has officially survived the first year. I've dealt with cyano, GHA, etc. currently things look good. I have had a green hammer frag and a zoa frag for about 6 months which don't seem to have grown at all. I know my calcium was low(340 or so) so I changed salt. I've also been adding reef calcium. Currently my parameters are:
SG 1.025
Nitrate 0ppm
Phosphate .1ppm
Calcium 420ppm
KH 11dKH 196.9

I want to add more coral and want to help my current coral grow. Do I need any other supplements or coral food? Any suggestions or techniques would be greatly appreciated

My lighting is StevesLED retrofit...
 
In six months, you should be seeing new heads on the hammer and new zoa polyps.

If not, it could be:

Zero nitrate. About 5ppm would be a better number, especially with high PO4 and high alk. Any fish in there?
11dKH. That number is safe enough, but it's quite high for a tank with zero nitrates.
Or maybe light...I don't know anything about StevesLED...
 
In six months, you should be seeing new heads on the hammer and new zoa polyps.

If not, it could be:

Zero nitrate. About 5ppm would be a better number, especially with high PO4 and high alk. Any fish in there?
11dKH. That number is safe enough, but it's quite high for a tank with zero nitrates.
Or maybe light...I don't know anything about StevesLED...

That's been my concern. I don't understand why it's not growing. I have a maroon clown, a Valentin puffer, and an algae blenny. Also a BTA. The light is positively reviewed and supposed to be able to handle all coral and clams. I am running it at 60%/55% (blue/white)

I only feed every other day. Should I feed a little heavier to try to get some nitrate?
 
I only feed every other day. Should I feed a little heavier to try to get some nitrate?

It might be worth feeding every day instead, as long as you don't have algae issues. Your fish could probably benefit as well.

That would be a place to start at least.
 
In six months, you should be seeing new heads on the hammer and new zoa polyps.

If not, it could be:

Zero nitrate. About 5ppm would be a better number, especially with high PO4 and high alk. Any fish in there?
11dKH. That number is safe enough, but it's quite high for a tank with zero nitrates.
Or maybe light...I don't know anything about StevesLED...

Yup' I agree with the nitrate at 5ppm, plus no mention of magnisum level, you want all three in sync + while I don't chase PH, calcification occurs better at higher PH....not sure what yours is....but at least 7.8 on the low end.

Feeding corals, or at least the ones that have a feeding response, twice per month can be beneficial to polyp growth, but just good light, balanced and stable water will do just fine.
 
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