How to help Coral growth

[Emma_fish]

Hi everyone I’m pretty new to keeping coral this is my first marine tank and I’ve had it set up for a little over a year now and I’ve added some corals in the past but it’s never gone to well that’s why I’m writing this post. What settings should my light be on? (Maxspect jump) Do I need and coral growth/food supplements? And how can I get them to grow at a good rate ?
Yesterday I went to my lfs and got a candy cane, dragon soul favia, fist full of dollars chalice and an orange sponge and I want to give them the best shot and I really don’t want to kill them
I’ve took some pictures and attached them below my candy cane hasn’t puffed out yet since it was at the shop but I think it’s just getting used to my tank

 

[ecrumpler]

There really isn't a magic bullet answer to your questions. It would be nice to know your parameters, and also, what kind of biodiversity have you added to the tank? Was it started with dry rock? Bacteria supplements? How big of tank? Number of fish?

 

[Emma_fish]

There really isn't a magic bullet answer to your questions. It would be nice to know your parameters, and also, what kind of biodiversity have you added to the tank? Was it started with dry rock? Bacteria supplements? How big of tank? Number of fish?

It’s a 22 Gal tank that I started with dry rock , I added a little colony bacteria when I started it up I have 2 clownfish, 6 Astraea snails and 3 hermit crabs
I haven’t added any supplements or treatments apart from the colony bacteria at startup but that was over a year ago now
I have
0ppm ammonia
0ppm nitrate
0ppm nitrite
Ph is 8.3
Calcium, magnesium and Alk was tested by my lfs yesterday (they have Red Sea test kits) I wasn’t given exact parameters but I was told everything was where it should be
I am contemplating ordering some test kits for those three elements so I can check for myself as needed and get exact parameters

 

[shakacuz]

I am contemplating ordering some test kits for those three elements so I can check for myself as needed and get exact parameters

do it. it is very important to document any trends in parameters

 

[z0mbeh]

My biggest tip would be stability, get those parameters nailed down and keep them stable. After that your lighting, I am not familiar with that light but settings others can recommend can help you get in a ball park but many factors from coral placement, light height etc... are going to affect your individual settings. The best recommendation would be to rent a par meter and get some readings.

 

[Emma_fish]

Right got these three test kits in my basket do I need any of the coral food, all in one or the coral grower?

 

[Cell]

If you desire long term success keeping coral, then you cannot rely on your LFS for testing and if you must, get the actual numbers, not just "looks good". That your LFS tested your water and didn't share the actual numbers is a red flag for me.

 

[Emma_fish]

Salifert Calcium and Alkalinity tests ordered they should be here within a few days
What do you recommend coral food wise ?
Wait a few weeks and see how they get on with the light and keeping parameters in check or feed them and add more bio diversity?

 

[blaxsun]

I use an assortment:
* Red Sea Reef Energy AB+ (daily)
* Nyos Absolute Aminos, Coral Nectar, Instant Plankton and LPS Power (2x weekly)
* Polyp Labs Reef Roids (2x weekly)

I'll also occasionally dose some tigger pods or phytoplankton.

 

[dakoop]

Get test kits and test

Stability is the key to this hobby

 

[Bribo12]

Wouldn’t go adding coral foods or aminos for sure. Adding nutrients to a small tank without knowing what you’re doing is a recipe for disaster. Buying the kits is a good start. You should have a nitrate kit as well.

You could add an assortment of live pods for some biodiversity.

 

[Emma_fish]

Wouldn’t go adding coral foods or aminos for sure. Adding nutrients to a small tank without knowing what you’re doing is a recipe for disaster. Buying the kits is a good start. You should have a nitrate kit as well.

You could add an assortment of live pods for some biodiversity.

Ok that sounds good I already have a nitrate test my nitrates are at 0ppm and I’m thinking they should be higher

 

[Reef Jockey]

Test, test, and more testing.. stabilize your parameters before feeding any coral food because the coral food can/will raise your No3/phos. Coral food is great but most corals are 90% photosynthetic so good lighting is key. I would work on those two things first before you start feeding coral food.

 

[Emma_fish]

Test, test, and more testing.. stabilize your parameters before feeding any coral food because the coral food can/will raise your No3/phos. Coral food is great but most corals are 90% photosynthetic so good lighting is key. I would work on those two things first before you start feeding coral food.

Ok will do thanks for the advice

 

[GHOSTLY]

Chemical stability, a bit of nutrients, and consistency