I have a DSB ai sol white with ecoxotic purple/blue for supplementation. AI around 60 percent tank has been established for close to 8 months, i have seen absolutely no growth on corals, most have faded and some seem tips look like they have fallen off. no nitrate or phosphate, ph 8.1-8.3 alk 2.56 ca:500 mg:1450? whats up with this? how can i get good growth
Why do SPS not thrive in my tank?
- Thread starter maxx56dog
- Start date
mavjoy
Member
I had the same problem with the AI light(mine was a year), then I increased mine to about 50 75 75 and got my alk stable. I don't see much growth yet but most of my SPS got nice PE and color is getting better. This is a 20 gallon tank. All my parms are good. I keep my alk between 9-10. Just keep in mind that all tanks are different. Good luck!
jcw
Active member
Assuming your parameters are in line, T5's.
The AI sol's were just too laser beam like for me. Even though the coverage is OK, it seemed the tops of the sps got too much and the sides not enough.
I know there are some tanks doing fine with AI's but I'm just saying they are much less forgiving in regards to coral placement and selection.
I switched to a cheap 6 bulb T5 unit that cost less than one AI and it was like someone turned on the light switch. Visible growth every month.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=20096742&postcount=171
The AI sol's were just too laser beam like for me. Even though the coverage is OK, it seemed the tops of the sps got too much and the sides not enough.
I know there are some tanks doing fine with AI's but I'm just saying they are much less forgiving in regards to coral placement and selection.
I switched to a cheap 6 bulb T5 unit that cost less than one AI and it was like someone turned on the light switch. Visible growth every month.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=20096742&postcount=171
Just because the store has them at the top, doesnt mean you should too. You need to determine if light is an issue. If you get them from the store that have T5s running and you put it in the top of your tank running metal halides or LEDS running full blast, then yes you will have a stressed out coral.
There are plenty of successful SPS tanks using LED's...
jcw
Active member
Reword it slightly saying You and I are unsuccessful keeping SPS under LEDS.
I had 5 LED units and replaced them with one 7 foot T5 unit at less than 1/5 the cost. I bought them all used.
rogerwilco357
Active member
i would raise the alk slowly , how often do you do water changes and what salt do you use?
Masterofnonsense
New member
I have a couple thoughts.
1. Your tank may be too clean.
2. I don't like the 40 degree optics in the center of the AIs. In my tank the center of the light is at the highest point of my rock work. With the stock 40 degree optics, this just puts too much light into too small an area. If I lower the intensity, then any corals outside the center area aren't getting enough light.
My advice would be to feed your tank more and dirty it up a bit, and look into replacing the 40 degree optics with 70 degree.
1. Your tank may be too clean.
2. I don't like the 40 degree optics in the center of the AIs. In my tank the center of the light is at the highest point of my rock work. With the stock 40 degree optics, this just puts too much light into too small an area. If I lower the intensity, then any corals outside the center area aren't getting enough light.
My advice would be to feed your tank more and dirty it up a bit, and look into replacing the 40 degree optics with 70 degree.
Oh damn...I just realized that. How did I miss that when I read your original post a few times.
Your alk is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay off. 2.56??Holy cow. No wonder your SPS arent surviving. What other corals do you have in there? How are they doing if you have any?
You need a more reasonable stable alk level. It should be close to 9. How often do you check your alk?
Your alk is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay off. 2.56??Holy cow. No wonder your SPS arent surviving. What other corals do you have in there? How are they doing if you have any?
You need a more reasonable stable alk level. It should be close to 9. How often do you check your alk?
Masterofnonsense
New member
He's probably measuring in meq/l which works out to about 7.2 dKH. A little low, but not horribly so.
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