Coral help

[Jpiotro]

Good morning everyone! I've been having some trouble lately getting my corals to open up fully. I did a rally pro treatment about a month ago and since then my corals have not been opening up like they used to. Here is a pic of my torch, its been like this since the treatment. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[T-J]

What did you use Rally Pro for? Did you have an infestation of some sort?
Post tank age and parameters please. Also lighting and what you're using for flow.

 

[Jpiotro]

@T-J I had a brook breakout. Tank is about 9 months old. Tank is a fluval flex 32.5 and I'm using the stock marine 3.0 light and a hygger mini wave maker for a powerhead.

ALK- 11 DKH
PH 8.1
ammonia- 0
nitrite -0.1
nitrate- 0
Cal- 400
mag-1200
Salinity- 1.025
Temp- 77-78

 

[Graemesreef]

All of our lps look kinda crumby when I let the nitrate get too low?

 

[Reeflix]

nitrate is low... might be the problem. also what is your phos?

 

[Jpiotro]

All of our lps look kinda crumby when I let the nitrate get too low?

what would be the best way to raise nitrates a little?

 

[Reeflix]

feed more coral food. im using reef roids to raise my nitrates and phos

 

[Graemesreef]

what would be the best way to raise nitrates a little?

I usually just keep the same schedule, turn my skimmer off and watch.

 

[Jpiotro]

@Graemesreef I don't have my skimmer on. I Haven't for months because it just keeps producing microbubbles after I clean it.

 

[Nlara]

How about phosphates. Any algae growth anywhere or in sump. I noticed in my tank when nitrates were very low near zero my corals never looked as great.

 

[Graemesreef]

@Graemesreef I don't have my skimmer on. I Haven't for months because it just keeps producing microbubbles after I clean it.

You can definitely raise them with any kind of food just be careful the last thing you want is a nuisance outbreak. How often are you doing water changes? I would almost rather skip a change than use food to get it up.

 

[Jpiotro]

How about phosphates. Any algae growth anywhere or in sump. I noticed in my tank when nitrates were very low near zero my corals never looked as great.

I haven't tested phosphates in awhile but ill check once i get home. Algae has been pretty scarce in my tank lately.

 

[Jpiotro]

You can definitely raise them with any kind of food just be careful the last thing you want is a nuisance outbreak. How often are you doing water changes? I would almost rather skip a change than use food to get it up.

I typically change 30% (5 gallons) every 2 weeks.

 

[Graemesreef]

I typically change 30% (5 gallons) every 2 weeks.

Well if you're not skimming, have 0 nirate, and have no bad algae seems like a good excuse to buy a new fish or two. This is what will ultimately end up feeding your coral naturally. Never asked you about livestock?

 

[Jpiotro]

Well if you're not skimming, have 0 nirate, and have no bad algae seems like a good excuse to buy a new fish or two. This is what will ultimately end up feeding your coral naturally. Never asked you about livestock?

Good Point. I have 2 clowns, purple firefish, pink spot goby and a flame hawk.

 

[Graemesreef]

Good Point. I have 2 clowns, purple firefish, pink spot goby and a flame hawk.

Sounds like a pretty good lineup, might not wanna tick anyone off. Just skip a change and keep an eye on them It can't hurt. I would be worried about trying to raise them unnaturally with the skimmer offline.

 

[T-J]

I agree with what's already been said. Need some nitrates in there. I don't recommend any specific number, other than not zero. Same with phosphate. FYI, I'm currently at 50 nitrate and .11 phosphate. Some people would freak at those numbers. Others won't bat an eye. My corals grow like crazy and I see no need to change it.
But yeah, nutrients.
Oh, and I'm guessing that stock light may not be enough as well. I'm not familiar with it, but most stock lights with tanks aren't enough.

 

[Jpiotro]

I agree with what's already been said. Need some nitrates in there. I don't recommend any specific number, other than not zero. Same with phosphate. FYI, I'm currently at 50 nitrate and .11 phosphate. Some people would freak at those numbers. Others won't bat an eye. My corals grow like crazy and I see no need to change it.
But yeah, nutrients.
Oh, and I'm guessing that stock light may not be enough as well. I'm not familiar with it, but most stock lights with tanks aren't enough.

I'll keep an eye on them and skip a water change.

 

[Jpiotro]

Update: nitrate is at 2ppm and phos is at 0.
I’m not sure what to do, should i consider feeding reef roids to the coral?