Normal growth rate?

[wglenn]

Hey guys,
I have a 72 bow that has been running for 1yr 10 months and I have a finger leather and a rock full of mushrooms, and two rocks of zoas all have not changed at all since I got them a year ago, is this the normal growth rate of corals? Am I doing something wrong? I am very curious

Lighting = 250w MH, 2x 65w PC's

Thanks for any help.

 

[doox00]

I would guess its not normal, my tank has been up a little less than a year, I have not really added much in corals. but the two I have have grown alot, the gps has grown a TON, so much now I want to get rid of a huge part of it and someone gave me a couple zoo's about 6 months ago (like 2 polyps), that has now turned into maybe 15 polyps (pretty large in diameter also, each polyp). I only have 4x65 pc lighting atm.

 

[rickyfins]

Check your parameters! Testing and frequent water changes can help with this issue. A good skimmer or properly adjusted one will also help with particulate matter. Check ALK and Calcium. I dose Iodine at least once weekly and it has seemed to help me stabilize Alk and Calcium. I am still not sure as it may just be a coincidence in timing. Try to keep your Alk between 7-12 dkh and calcium around 400-450 ppm.

Although I am not a fan of PC lights the MH lighting should be sufficient. If you could I would change the PC lights to VHO, just change bulbs and sockets but use the same ballasts. I feel that the VHO or NO bulbs are built with higher quality standards than PC lights and have noticed severe differences in color, bulb life, coral growth, and heat issues as well. I just think that they are made as cheaply as possible where other bulbs are standardized and made higher quality.

I hope this helps,

thanks,
Rick