Algae and Coral issues

[Aegon]

Hi all, I’ve recently joined the community and I’ve tried to do as much research as possible with that said I would greatly appreciate any constructive criticism as by no means do I believe I am doing everything 100% correctly


My tank is currently going a month strong, water had been cycling in a garage brute tank during my college move for about 2 months able to take .5 ppm of ammonia working 24 hrs no problem. The tank itself is decently stocked as I’m inpatient which I know is terrible for this hobby.
Tank: 20 gallon FUJI Cube
Water parameters: salinity 1.026
Alk 7.1 dhk
Phosphate ULR .005
Magnesium 1440
Temp 79.2 F

this issue I’m having is one of my corals is not opening up like the others, it has been perfectly opened up the weeks leading to now. I am also noticing increase of algae growth on the rocks. None on the glass, so I was wondering if this is just the “ugly phase” or if any of my water parameters need be altered? Any help is appreciated

 

[Jekyl]

Corals never do good in a brand new tank. Are you more comfortable in a sterile operating room or on Grandma's couch? What are your current parameters and lights being used? Bonus points for results not using API tests.

 

[Jekyl]

As far as the ugly phase you haven't even glimpsed it yet. Mine didn't really get going until around month 5 and wrapped up closer to month 8 or 9.

 

[Aegon]

Corals never do good in a brand new tank. Are you more comfortable in a sterile operating room or on Grandma's couch? What are your current parameters and lights being used? Bonus points for results not using API tests.

I currently test for salinity 1.026
Alk 7.1
Phosphate .005
Magnesium 1440
Temp 79.2
Calcium 460

is there anything else I should test for that would be beneficial? I’m only confused because all the other Zoas are fully spread out and look amazing minus this blue zoa. As for the lights I should’ve done a lot more research, I ended up running some off Amazon I run the blue light at max setting and the white lightning at just what’s appealing to the eye Ik this isn’t scientific so I am currently waiting for my PAR reader from BRS to arrive so I can get some quantitative measurements

 

[Aegon]

As far as the ugly phase you haven't even glimpsed it yet. Mine didn't really get going until around month 5 and wrapped up closer to month 8 or 9.

Gotcha that’s what I imagined, would you recommend I do larger water changes to counter the algae or just nature run it’s course in my situation

 

[Jekyl]

For soft corals like yours the tests needed are nitrate, phosphate and alkalinity. Which light did you get? Might be able to figure more details out.

 

[Jekyl]

Gotcha that’s what I imagined, would you recommend I do larger water changes to counter the algae or just nature run it’s course in my situation

Parameters dictate action. I would continue doing 10 or 20% weekly until you get the other tests, I recommend salifert.

 

[Jekyl]

Something I will do with every new tank in the future is live phyto dosing. I'd recommend the stuff from algae barn if you don't feel like culturing your own.

 

[Aegon]

For soft corals like yours the tests needed are nitrate, phosphate and alkalinity. Which light did you get? Might be able to figure more details out.

I just remembered I do have a nitrate test and after running it I’m sitting at 10 ppm

as for the lights I purchased these

 

[Aegon]

Something I will do with every new tank in the future is live phyto dosing. I'd recommend the stuff from algae barn if you don't feel like culturing your own.

I was looking into that is that a single dose and they just populate the tank naturally or is that something I would have to dose every week?

 

[Aegon]

Here’s a little video of the tank showing better colors, only thing I’m wondering is these 2 on the right and the hammer has not been at full bloom, I’m wondering if it’s they’re not getting enough flow as I turned down the wave maker because it was always just blowing sand out of the corners

 

[Jekyl]

Phyto are dosed daily. The light would need to know make and model. Color doesn't mean anything