Corals clossd

[mw892017]

Hello
My tank is 4 months old and I added two corals.

A gsp frag and a zoa frag.

Both were open and doing fine for around a month. Over the last week both of them have closed.

I have tested my parameters and are fine. Apart from an ugly stage which seems to be lasting forever nothing seems to be off.

I’m really struggling with this tank atm and I’m ready to give up!!

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Hello,

Sorry for your struggles.

Please post all parameters, so I can verify they're good. What is your lighting, and what flow are the corals recieving?

 

[mw892017]

Hi
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0


Nitrate and phosphate 0 which I know is low that’s why well I’ve been told I’m struggling with algae. I don’t test alkalinity and calcium as I’m new to this hobby and was told by my lfs which is fantastic tbh weekly water changes would be enough for softies as I didn’t want to dose

 

[mw892017]

Sorry flow is sicce 1.0 with a random flow generator I have a Fluval evo 13.5

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I would suggest to get yourself a small powerhead to add in the tank, it sounds like your tank is very low flow. Algae growing on the sand is a sure sign of low flow. Even zoa's need some amount of flow to shed their outer mucus layer, and algae loves low flow.

Its not nitrates and phosphates that feed algae, its dissolved organics which we can't measure for, so don't overfeed the fish. Feed small amounts several times a day, but letting food decompose in the water is the major source of algae, and the low flow helps it take over the tank.

If you want corals to be healthy then you will need good quality test kits, not API. Its the only way we have of knowing about your water quality. Not so important for zoa's and gsp, I understand your only starting and probably just testing it out, but if you want to start keeping nicer corals, you will need the test kits.

 

[mw892017]

I don’t use api. I use salifert test kits. It just feels like one thing after another. Thanks for the reply

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

The first year is one thing after another, you're right about that. But as you go along and fix all these things one at time, you learn each time and it does get easier.

Right now your tank is starting what we call "the ugly phase", there is not enough biodiversity, or healthy bacteria, in your tank yet to fight off algae's and bad bad bacteria's. It takes a few months to ride out the uglies by maintaining good habits with feeding and water changes and controlling the nitrate and phosphate.

We've all been there so feel free to ask questions anytime, or even just to rant. After the first year it does get easier.

 

[mw892017]

ok thank you. This week there’s been times where I have thought about giving up. But after a visit to my lfs seeing his amazing tanks pushes me to carry on.

 

[mw892017]

My corals are still tightly closed another week on and still no joy they do look like they have algae on them

 

[Dburr1014]

MOJO is giving you great advise, no doubt.

Can't help but to say this, you starting this thread, that feels like you're ready to give up. You came out here asking for advice but you're questioning in your own head whether this was a good hobby for you.

This hobby is expensive, it's going to cost you some money to get this thing up and running, and time. You're going to need more flow, probably better lights, you're going to have to put some time in to get through the ugly stages. If you don't think you can commit, maybe it's a good time to put it on the back burner till you are ready.

One thing is for sure, I don't usually tell people to walk away from the hobby, because I love it. But this thread just seems that you're leaning that direction anyway. I would hate to have somebody buy coral and fish to watch them die if they're not ready to commit to the Hobby.

Good luck in your Journeys, whether it be in this hobby or another.

 

[mw892017]

That’s why I’m posting on here. I don’t want to give up and I definitely wouldn’t let any coral or fish die that’s why I’m asking for help. It isn’t about the cost whatever it takes I’ll do. My corals are closed which why again I’m posting on here to make sure they survive and be healthy!! As I’m new to this hobby I post on this forum to make sure I’m doing things right and getting invaluable information from experienced reef keepers

 

[mw892017]

Also if my nitrates and phosphate is reading 0 could I reduce or cut back on water changes? It’s 52l and I take 10 litres or tank water out per week when doing a water change?

 

[Reef_at_Sea]

There are more parameters than nitrates & phosphates.
Give us all you can test including temp & salinity.

 

[mw892017]

There are more parameters than nitrates & phosphates.
Give us all you can test including temp & salinity.

Salinity 35ppm
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Phosphate 0
Nitrates 0
Temp is 25.7

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Salinity 35ppm
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Phosphate 0
Nitrates 0
Temp is 25.7

I would work on getting your nitrates and phosphates out of the zero range. What about alk and calcium levels?

 

[mw892017]

I would work on getting your nitrates and phosphates out of the zero range. What about alk and calcium levels?

I don’t test for them tbh. I was told that doing weekly water changes and again having soft coral that would be enough. As I’m new to this hobby I didn’t feel comfortable starting dosing and why I chose softies and a Fluval evo as I didn’t want to dive straight into the deep end. I was told by my lfs that weekly water changes would be enough for what I have. I can only go off the advice I was given

 

[Dburr1014]

That’s why I’m posting on here. I don’t want to give up and I definitely wouldn’t let any coral or fish die that’s why I’m asking for help. It isn’t about the cost whatever it takes I’ll do. My corals are closed which why again I’m posting on here to make sure they survive and be healthy!! As I’m new to this hobby I post on this forum to make sure I’m doing things right and getting invaluable information from experienced reef keepers

Okay, glad to here.

Some of my advice:

Buy test kits. Alk, po4, no3, cal, mag. I put these in order of importance. Water changes is all you need for now but it helps to know where your at.


Use the search button here, top right. You will get loads of info on any topic. You will just have to weed between good and bad info. The good will get more thumbs up.

Get a small powerhead. One that can be pointed at different directions and speed adjusted is better. Point up for surface agitation will help get oxygen into the water. Flow is needed for corals for feeding Waste Management. They can't move so this is how coral survive.

You're going to need some good lights. You didn't mention your lights maybe you can post them in your settings. Coral need light and strong enough to survive.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I don’t test for them tbh. I was told that doing weekly water changes and again having soft coral that would be enough. As I’m new to this hobby I didn’t feel comfortable starting dosing and why I chose softies and a Fluval evo as I didn’t want to dive straight into the deep end. I was told by my lfs that weekly water changes would be enough for what I have. I can only go off the advice I was given

I strongly advise you to get an alk and calcium test to determine the levels in your tank. I was worried about dosing at first, too, but it is not as bad as it seems.

 

[Dburr1014]

Also if my nitrates and phosphate is reading 0 could I reduce or cut back on water changes? It’s 52l and I take 10 litres or tank water out per week when doing a water change?

Yes, 100%
Do you have a skimmer? You can cut that back also. Maybe run during the day.

 

[mw892017]

Okay, glad to here.

Some of my advice:

Buy test kits. Alk, po4, no3, cal, mag. I put these in order of importance. Water changes is all you need for now but it helps to know where your at.


Use the search button here, top right. You will get loads of info on any topic. You will just have to weed between good and bad info. The good will get more thumbs up.

Get a small powerhead. One that can be pointed at different directions and speed adjusted is better. Point up for surface agitation will help get oxygen into the water. Flow is needed for corals for feeding Waste Management. They can't move so this is how coral survive.

You're going to need some good lights. You didn't mention your lights maybe you can post them in your settings. Coral need light and strong enough to survive.

My light is the stock Fluval evo light. My corals opened for a week or so when I first placed them into the tank then closed. I have ordered a power head which is due to arrive today