Soft Corals Not Growing/Thriving

[apurintun]

I don't test for phosphates regularly -- I don't think they are a problem (I use RO/DI water and have a low bio-load and feed VERY little). No algae problems, either. I will test and see...

 

[apurintun]

What's a good regimen for magnesium supplementation?

 

[dendro982]

More food?

Mg supplements - you can add them to a top off water, or/and you may check the Mg levels in a newly prepared water, and correct them there.

 

[m2434]

I don't think you have too much lighting... What spectrum are your bulbs? 20k's and actinics, look nice, but in my experience do nothing for growth. I also agree that softies don't need much as far as trace elements, but alk seems to make a difference.

 

[cd77]

Pick up a decent test kit first to make sure you need to supplement Mg. If you do, then go from there -- the directions on a Magnesium supplement will tell you everything you need to know.

I've read conflicting arguments regarding iodine supplementing btw -- another thing worth asking about / researching.

Another thing to consider is allelopathy -- wetwebmedia also has a lot of good information about leathers & mushrooms. -- http://www.wetwebmedia.com/alcyoncompfaqs.htm

You also mentioned your concern for alkalinity -- have you tested this recently?

FWIW, and I'm definitely no expert, but I think your lighting is fine -- you could probably even (slowly) increase the photoperiod without harm. I'm using 260W PC for 11 hours a day, 130 for an additional 2 without a problem on a 70G. I do have my leathers/zoas/shrooms towards the lower third of the tank though.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11014631#post11014631 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by apurintun
What's a good regimen for magnesium supplementation?

 

[apurintun]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11016218#post11016218 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by m2434
I don't think you have too much lighting... What spectrum are your bulbs? 20k's and actinics, look nice, but in my experience do nothing for growth.

What kind of lights (spectrum) DO something for growth? (in your experience)

 

[apurintun]

I'm seeing more references to alkalinity.... I don't have a current reading handy, but this is something I may want to focus on. That and maybe a couple of large water changes to bring things back to balance? And (maybe) new (different spectrum?) bulbs.... or a different amount of light (gradually)....

Lots of good ideas here... thanks, folks!

 

[Aquarist007]

Are you feeding your corals. I feed cyclopeeze and mysis shrimp three times a week-----at dusk when just the attinics are on for an hour. I turn off the main pump but keep the power head circulating the food.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11014398#post11014398 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by apurintun
I am no expert, but yours does seem like a lot of light (for soft corals). Does anyone think 110-220w of PC is too much for a 50 gal soft-coral tank? (It's 110 w most of the day; 220 for a few hours at midday.)

at a recommended 3-5 watts per gal--your right in the middle

 

[Aquarist007]

I experienced slow growth in corals for about six months until I established a 30 gal refugium. Coral growth has taken off since.
At night when the moon rays are on the water is teaming with copopods--this is what you want for max coral growth.

 

[m2434]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11016409#post11016409 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by apurintun
What kind of lights (spectrum) DO something for growth? (in your experience)

With 6500-10000K you should, see better growth, although, you might see better growth of nuisance algae as well.... I would recomend this spectrum range if you are able to keep P03 below .03, otherwise, 14KK is sort of a safe medium (or 50/50 ish).

 

[Reefing102]

For growth i would do as m2434 said and keep the light around 10k.

Im with that small group, i believe you have enough lighting. On my 26 i have 130 watts PC and all i have are shrooms, gsp, and 2 btas (a split) and everything is doing fine

 

[apurintun]

I can't do a separate refugium on this tank, due to space contraints (maybe the next one). Can I do something in my existing ~15 g sump (add some rocks, light, ???)

Also, can someone provide a good link for refugium/sump plumbing (basics)? I'm a novice plumber.

 

[apurintun]

Also, I am confused about feeding (as in cyclopese and mysis shrimp). Do mushrooms, GSPs, sarcophyton, nephthea sp. really eat these things? I know they only get X% of their energy from symbiotic photosynthetic algae.... can they really get some of the rest from prepared foods? Or is the refugium/microfauna/scrape-the-glass route just as good (or better)?

 

[dendro982]

capn_hylinur: I bought the same container to use it as a sump, but the sides buckle, when filled 2/3 with water. Yours - not. Does the lid help to keep the shape? And what bulb is in the lamp - looks so small.
Thanks.

 

[fambrough]

Found your thread a little late. Here's my two cents: Your lightling is fine, you do not need more or less. Remember to change PC bulbs between every eight to twelve months. I agree with the person who wrote that mushrooms can be tempermental with respect to light needs. I have some that prefer low light condidtions and some that do better with more light (discosoma vs rhodactis vs ricordia). I really do not think you need to worry about feeding your softies. The species you list get most of their nutirents from the water and energy from zooxanthelea, as you have read. I think feeding your tank would contribute to water quality issues more than help your corals.

Also, what are you expectations for growth? Sarcophyton, in my experience, is not particularly fast growing. Mushrooms vary. Nepthea should be the fastest of what you listed. Are you sure you want fast growth rates? If your corals are otherwise healthy, I wouldn't worry about it. If I could, there are a couple of corals I would slow down: less maintenance.

My best guess is alkalinity issues. I found this cited in my readings more that parameter issues when I was researching similar issues. Are you up to 8dKH?

Let us know what happens. Best of luck.

 

[apurintun]

Thanks for the two-cents! Everything you add is in line with (and therefor helps) my evolving thinking/understanding. I am especially glad to hear the no-feeding advice -- I feel absolutely that most of these additions are water-quality detrimental, and may do little or nothing for the corals.

And, yes, it is the nephthea that I was most concerned about -- and the mushrooms. The nephthea has grown very little in the 18 months I've had it; the mushrooms, about the same. In fact, the sarcophytons have done a bit better, I would say. I am definitely going to focus on alkalinity. And make sure I change those bulbs on schedule. Thanks again.