How does this sound for feeding in a SPS tank

[jimrawr]

I have a newish tank trying to grow SPS, and generally my SPS look pale and starved. I started to feed more about a month ago, and saw better coloration in the first couple weeks of feeding more, but then they went back to looking starved. I tested last night and have zero nitrates or phosphates, but I do have cyano. Dont need to clean glass very often at all, really like once a week and its only in small spots. My feeding looks like this

1 Quarter sized piece of Rods Food
2 Pinches of flakes
1 Pinch of NLS Pellets
Half Sheet of Nori
1 Small Squirt of Oyster Feast

This is fed daily, throughout the day. I would say about 3-4 times per dya to spread this out. It seems to me like this really should be enough food for the tank, but then my nitrates and PO4 suggest otherwise...? I use just a skimmer to export, and I have a ATS setup but not growing any algae at all yet. Fish look fat and healthy, but I am sure they wouldnt be against more feedings and it seems like the tank can handle it. Should I feed more, and grab a couple more fish?

Fish:
1 Yellow Tang
2. Chromis (the bigger ones)
1. Flame Angel
1. Ocellaris Clown
1. Wrasse
1. Flame Hawkfish

75g tank with a ATI Sunpower, and all parameters stable using a dosing pump and ATO.

 

[ajcanale]

Before taking feeding into consideration... How are your alk/calcium/magnesium level? And is alk stable.

 

[jda]

Also, what are your N and P levels? ...and other parameters?

 

[jimrawr]

CA:430
ALK:8.8dkh
MG:1350
SG:1.026
N:0
P:0
Temp 78-80 through day but never higher than 80

Dosing daily with a pump, all very stable.

 

[ajcanale]

CA:430
ALK:8.8dkh
MG:1350
SG:1.026
N:0
P:0
Temp 78-80 through day but never higher than 80

Dosing daily with a pump, all very stable.

Yeah those are spot on....

Super low (near zero) nitrates can be problematic with sps and is something I struggle to keep present in my tank. What I've had success with is directly feeding corals, specifically sps, at night or in the morning, when lights are out and tentacles are fully extended. This seems to have helped with maintaining color even though I essentially have an ULNS. I feed once or twice a week.

 

[jimrawr]

Do you think its possible for SPS to grow and show good color without polyp extension? Since I added a Flame Angel polyps no longer show, even at night. I dont see him at all picking on the SPS, but clearly he is. Unless its something else preventing polyps from showing, but they were coming out at night before flame angel, and stopped showing around the time of his arrival around 3 weeks ago.

I do try to feed the oyster feast at night when lights are dimmed, as well as recently ordering reef reef chili to have some variety.

 

[Chris Lakies]

I think what you saw happen is the corals/bacteria grew with how much food you are now feeding so they are taking up all you are giving now.

I had the exact same thing happen...no other changes except heavier feeding and i think my tank is catching up to the amount i'm feeding now.

As far as the Angel goes, i've heard hit and miss things. Some nip and some don't. If it were me i'd either quarantine him for a bit if you can and see if the polyp extension gets better or take him back.

 

[neuro]

In my personal experience, color issues have more to do with lighting, rather than feeding. I don't feed my coral besides reef chili/roids once a week (if at all), and they're growing pretty quickly with bright and deep colors.

Oh and to address your angel comments, I had an angel that I had to give up because he was picking at my acans. I didn't see him pick at all of my acans, but he did more damage to ones I didn't even see him touch. After getting rid of him, everything started to get back to normal. I'm trying to say that what you don't see could very well be happening to cause your SPS to recede and lose color.

good luck

 

[jimrawr]

I dont think its the light, SunPower 8x54" with all ATI bulbs. Certainly not the lighting. As far as the Angel goes, I prefer to keep him unless its detrimental to the SPS. I think many on these forums keep angels that nip their SPS and still have success.

I guess the main question as far as the Flame Angel goes is, can you have a successful SPS tank without polyp extension?

 

[MisterP]

IMO get rid of the angel if it is nipping.

Feed a little more each day and see what happens. I don't think you'll find your answer quickly. It will be more trial and error until you figure out what works.

For what its worth.... as long as I feed pretty well my N and P can essentially be zero....again as long as my nutrient import is solid. I skim and carbon dose as much as my system seems to allow.

 

[SPS_Addiction]

Get rid of angel. constant nipping will keep corals unhappy and not as colored, maybe even cause STN/RTN

 

[outssider]

my flame nipped. It only takes one quick strike to close the polyps up and stay closed. Them corals are no dummies, they can sense trouble even with no nipping for hours and will stay closed just in case.

 

[neuro]

i agree with outssider

it doesn't take more than a nip or two to see issues develop quickly.

 

[Jettareefer]

Just feed your fish more it's cheaper than all the fancy foods that will expire and end up being a waste... That will give your corals food and give the little bit of nuritents they need. To address your question about Pollyp extension, are you getting any at night? My angel only picks at certain things but they have crazy extension at night I have about 35 Sps so the damage is more spread out.

 

[jimrawr]

Nope, polyps not extending at night either. Maybe its not due to the angel and something else is bothering them... hmm

 

[Jettareefer]

Hmm that's odd are you running any media GFO, GAC, ect..? When you bought these Sps did they have extension ?

 

[jimrawr]

Hmm that's odd are you running any media GFO, GAC, ect..? When you bought these Sps did they have extension ?

No GFO or Carbon currently. SPS did have extension when I got them, and did in my tank as well pretty much up until I got the angel(lets say they had PE for 2 months or so). Also things started to look a bit worse off since then, so its possible the frags aren't happy about something, and its not the Angel.

 

[Jettareefer]

I would say anythings possible, are these 2 frags the only Sps in the tank? Have you checked your alk for fluctuations day and night ? I don't mean to ask you a million questions I just want to help you out!

 

[MisterP]

I had a similar issue a while back that closed up some polyps and it was red bugs. Look for pests too.

 

[duncangweller]

Yeah red bugs will deffo do that. I had a similar issue and looked at my acros closely and yep, red bugs.

If that's the case its a relatively easy fix.