No Growth

[Felixc395]

I'm having with growth in my mixed tank that's mostly sps with a few lps and zoanthids. Nothing seems to grow besides my montipora cap. I have 1000 gph of random flow. 4 T5 HO lights for a 37 gallon. I don't know if my low pH is contributing to anything but that may be a problem. Out of my 4 sps (I know it's small, I'm working on it) 3 of them are fading in color or browning. I don't why this is either when my parameters are mainly in check.

Here are my parameters for those who would like to know:
pH: 7.8 (usually, except when I add buffer to raise it but that's a short term thing. I hate the low pH)
Nitrate: 0ppm
Phosphate: 0ppm
Calcium: 450ppm
dKH: about 9-10

All test kits are API and I have no algae to lock up nutrients so I think my testing is pretty accurate.

 

[Felixc395]

Sorry about my first sentence, I meant to say I'm having trouble with growth.

And i almost forgot.
Thanks everyone!!!

 

[mutateddogbone]

what is your magnesium and specific gravity? and are you daily dosing Ca and ALK. lighting. etc... need more info

 

[Felixc395]

I do not have a test kit for magnesium. Sg would be 1.026 and stays very constant. My 4 T5 bulbs are 2 ATI blue plus, one ATI aquablue and on UVL actinic white.

 

[woody283]

Might be your light is to blue. Try a 6500k bulb inplace of one of the blues and try that for a month.

 

[cwegescheide]

When was the last time you calibrated your PH probe? I'd make sure its accurate. Then I'd read Randy's articles on PH and their effect on calcification. Calibrate your refracto and make sure thats accurate. Get your Po4 tested using a Hanna Meter, if you don't have one maybe the LFS has one or a club member in your area. If everything is accurate then I'd suspect your lighting needs improvement. Also feeding helps with growth and coloration IME..

 

[mutateddogbone]

you need to test for Mg. low Mg can inhibit calcification in corals. high phosphates have the same effect. but it definately sounds like your lighting is a bit on the low side you might want to add a couple more bulbs to your fixture or run 3 10ks and 1 blue+

 

[serpentman]

I disagree with the lighting comments. Provided they have the proper reflectors, the ATI blue plus put out a lot of PAR, especially for a tank of this size.

As recommended, I would check out your Mg levels. Also, do you have fish in the tank. Don't underestimate the power of fish poo.

 

[SCreef]

Check for red bugs...they can inhibit growth and affect color.

 

[Felixc395]

Unfortunately I don't have any electronic testing kit, neither does my fish store. I should check into my magnesium. I do have fish but not many. To counter my pH problem I'm dosing kalk to also help calcium levels too.

 

[Felixc395]

I just checked my calcium again today. It was surprisingly low for me, around 380. Could this have been a problem?

 

[Toadally]

As everyone has said, low magnesium could be the problem. Test it! Also, there's a lot of excellent SPS tanks that run their PH in that range. So that shouldn't be an issue. You need to keep your alk and cal in check and keep it at a constant level. A lot of people don't realize that their parameters drop between dosing and can cause problems, especially with alkalinity. That's the main reason I use dosing pumps that run around the clock to keep things at a constant level.

I'd say...feed your fish...feed your coral and make sure you have good flow and things should start growing for you. hth

 

[JAustin]

your cal is fine at 380...that's what the ocean is so that's not it. As said before check MG and keep that above 1300. Also get your PO4 checked. Are you running GFO? If not and you want to keep SPS think about it. it will help you TONS!

Also is your SG checked with a refract? PM me with any questions, SPS is my thing.

 

[Felixc395]

I am running GFO in my tank and it seems to be doing wonders. I don't have a trace of algae besides a few diatoms on my glass. I guess I must have underestimated the importance of magnesium. After reading Randy Holmes-Farley's article on magnesium I think I finally have gotten the idea of it. I'll definitely need to test for that. I also should get some of my important parameters checked with an electronic device for better accuracy. Unfortunately my LFS doesn't have any so that's a problem.

 

[buy_baff]

Besides mag I would get a few more fish and feed the fish at least twice a day. Fish food+ fish= fish poo= sps groth&color!

 

[Felixc395]

Yeah, i never knew fish poop could be so great. I'll get some more fish soon.

 

[Ken Good]

I had a long period of little growth. I changed my power heads to something stronger and all of a sudden everything is taking off.

Ken

 

[Surf&turf]

You only have about a 100 watts over that tank. I think you need more light.

JM2C

 

[d-town tony]

I'd try more surface flow before anything else.

That would probably help with your low pH. Also put a powerhead anywhere you have a dead flow spot.

Your alk is pretty good so I'd guess your magnesium isn't too far off anyhow regardless of the test kit.

If you're running GFO regularly it probably isn't a phosphate issue.

You'd really be surprised what good random flow can do for coral growth. It really surprised me.

I'd worry about your lighting last.

 

[mutateddogbone]

from what ive read about lighting and corals that low par or excess nutrients can cause corals to brown out and not grow. something about the algae turns brown to absorb more light. my best guess its a combo of low Mg levels and not enough light. definately test for Mg and see where that is. IMO with your 4 bulb fixtures i would go with 3 aquasun 10ks and 1 Blue+ for color. you are going to get 100 different opinions about your lights and setup but the only way to know what works and what doesnt is to try it for yourself.