Polyp Extension Question

[drouner]

Okay, I changed out my older Iwaki WMD-20RLT (~ 420 gph) to a new Gen-X PCX-30 (~ 982 gph) on my CL and OM Squirt. Before the swap out today, I was also running a Max-Jet 900.

As you can imaginge I had very little or no polyp extension. Now I have double the water movement. I hope this change will promote PE. Should I see some immediate results or will it take a few days?

I am also going to swap out my 2x55 watt PC's to an actinic and a blue + T5's tomorrow to run in conjuction with my Pheonix 14K. Shoud that help?

Thanks..........

 

[twon8]

so are you saying you took the maxijet out? if so put it back in, you need more flow than that imo.

 

[MACH5]

Drouner. While flow + lighting are big factors in keeping sps, I doubt that's your main issue with polyp extension. I'm thinking it probably has to do more with water quality. Please post your water parameters so that we can best help you.

 

[drouner]

Calcium: 440
KH: 6.4, umm a little low
Alk: 2.29, again a little low
- need to dusing some kalk again
Nitrite: .02, using Marine Lab kit

Phosphate kit as expired so I will pick one up tomorrow and test.

BTW, I try to do water changes once a week or at the most every 2 weeks.

I am also dosing BioDigest and Bioptim.

 

[MACH5]

Ok. Also please post these:

PH- Where is it at and how much does it fluctuate during the course of the day?
Temperature- Is it relatively stable?
Salinity
Magnesium

Yes your Alk is low but not drastic enough to induce polyp retraction IMO. Definitely raise it slowly. Your water change schedule is great!

 

[drouner]

Ph- Currently at 8.2, swing from 7.8 to 8.2 during the day.
Temperture - currently at 78 and relatively stable maybe 4 to 5 degree swing during the day.
Salinity - 1.026, I will be doing a water change later this after noon, so I am going go a little lower on the salinity to bring the tank down. Used refractometer.
Magnesium: 1050 used Salifert test kit.

 

[MACH5]

The PH swing is drastic IMO specially dipping quite low at night. Should try to keep it at or above 8.00 as your lowest reading. IME the PH should not fluctuate much more than 2 tenth's of a point. The 4-5 degree temp swing could be a problem as well. I would try to keep it as stable as possible (2 degrees max particularly if you are keeping acros).
Mag is low. Should try to target around 1300, although I don't think that's your problem. Have you notice the PE decreasing over time or has this occured suddenly? Anything bleaching/ stn'ing?

 

[drouner]

I have never really had PE except on montis. Everything is heathly, no beaching. I am getting growth on my all my SPS's. Just some of the milli's and other acro's just are not showing PE.

I was figuring 4-5 swing was not a biggie as you probably see that in the ocean especially in shallow water.

 

[twon8]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8391312#post8391312 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drouner


I am also dosing BioDigest and Bioptim.

why are you dosing these? what do they do?

and your alk needs to be at least 2,8 imo, i prefer 3

but i think if you upped your flow you would get more pe

 

[drouner]

According to my new Salifert test kit the P04 levels are 0.

Bioptium and Biodigest are mfg by Prodibo. These products are various benefical bacteria to improve water quality. I have no algae problems and the tank is clear.