Is there a problem or am I a impatient reefer

[muzikalmatt]

Your parameters seem to be check, you've got decent flow, you use RODI water and good salt, and you're feeding the corals, so I would suspect maybe low lighting is the issue. You posted the spectrum of your lights but what intensity are you running them at? It may be time to slowly ramp them up (maybe 5% per week) and see if your corals respond. You definitely want to be careful though as you're much more likely to kill corals by overlighting them than underlighting.

One other thing that's harder to relay/discuss online without loads more data is the stability of your parameters. While the levels you provided are within the proper ranges, knowing how much they fluctuate over time would help as well. Corals crave stability, so if your alkalinity, salinity or nutrient levels are constantly fluctuating they can never really "settle in" and start growing as they're just stuck in survival mode.

 

[Impala67]

Your parameters seem to be check, you've got decent flow, you use RODI water and good salt, and you're feeding the corals, so I would suspect maybe low lighting is the issue. You posted the spectrum of your lights but what intensity are you running them at? It may be time to slowly ramp them up (maybe 5% per week) and see if your corals respond. You definitely want to be careful though as you're much more likely to kill corals by overlighting them than underlighting.

One other thing that's harder to relay/discuss online without loads more data is the stability of your parameters. While the levels you provided are within the proper ranges, knowing how much they fluctuate over time would help as well. Corals crave stability, so if your alkalinity, salinity or nutrient levels are constantly fluctuating they can never really "settle in" and start growing as they're just stuck in survival mode.

See that’s one thing i don’t have is stabilizing!! This is still a work in process tank so I need to buy an ATO and a dosing pump my parameters are good now but in a week they will be almost non existent than then I do the add a capful twice a week so I really need to get my equipment all bought and put to use!!

 

[Mikedawg]

This is the lighting I run it should be ok but I do need to get a different light.

Some reefers on R2R posit that full spectrum lighting, including some white, is necessary for zooanthele growth in corals. I realize there are strong opinions on both sides of this issue of blue vs blue/white, and it might be worth adding some white light to see if growth is spurred, especially since everything else looks good.

Good luck and following along to read your experienece.

 

[muzikalmatt]

I definitely think an ATO will help you tremendously. Salinity swings can be especially detrimental to corals because salinity affects all of the other parameters as well.

Another thing to look at is temperature swings. In the winter it's usually not an issue as most heaters can do a good enough job keeping the tank within 1 or 2 degrees of the target, but in the summer you can have issues with high temps (at least I did). Once I installed an Inkbird controller and a fan on my tank for cooling the temperature stayed within 0.5-1 degrees of my target and everything was a lot happier for it.

Regarding dosing, I wouldn't necessarily rush into that just yet. Until your corals start growing and consuming alkalinity and calcium at a greater rate, doing weekly water changes should be sufficient.

You mentioned the parameters are good and "in a week they will be almost non existent" and that you "add a capful twice a week". Which parameters are you referring to when you say they are non-existent, and what are you adding a capful of twice a week? Is it nutrients (nitrates/phosphates), alkalinity, calcium? Just looking for a little bit more information to try and help out.

 

[rtparty]

Lighting. Especially when you've nerfed the lighting by killing a ton of PAR. Bump up the whites even if you don't like the look. The Current light is already weak and now it's even weaker when you don't utilize half of it

 

[Impala67]

I definitely think an ATO will help you tremendously. Salinity swings can be especially detrimental to corals because salinity affects all of the other parameters as well.

Another thing to look at is temperature swings. In the winter it's usually not an issue as most heaters can do a good enough job keeping the tank within 1 or 2 degrees of the target, but in the summer you can have issues with high temps (at least I did). Once I installed an Inkbird controller and a fan on my tank for cooling the temperature stayed within 0.5-1 degrees of my target and everything was a lot happier for it.

Regarding dosing, I wouldn't necessarily rush into that just yet. Until your corals start growing and consuming alkalinity and calcium at a greater rate, doing weekly water changes should be sufficient.

You mentioned the parameters are good and "in a week they will be almost non existent" and that you "add a capful twice a week". Which parameters are you referring to when you say they are non-existent, and what are you adding a capful of twice a week? Is it nutrients (nitrates/phosphates), alkalinity, calcium? Just looking for a little bit more information to try and help out.

I don’t mean there gone I just didn’t know how to word it they just change very quickly I do the two part calcium/alkalinity which I’ll use a dosing pump once I buy one. What do I need to buy first I can buy like lights and a ATO or lights and a dosing pump or a ATO and a dosing pump what is more important!!

 

[Impala67]

Lighting. Especially when you've nerfed the lighting by killing a ton of PAR. Bump up the whites even if you don't like the look. The Current light is already weak and now it's even weaker when you don't utilize half of it

How much do I need to bump up the light to? What do I put it on 10,000k 12,000k or 14,000k and what’s florece?

 

[rhostam]

I don’t mean there gone I just didn’t know how to word it they just change very quickly I do the two part calcium/alkalinity which I’ll use a dosing pump once I buy one. What do I need to buy first I can buy like lights and a ATO or lights and a dosing pump or a ATO and a dosing pump what is more important!!

Lights and ATO.

Your tank is too young to be dosing (based on the stock you’ve shown).

Water changes should cover the rest until growth kicks off again and you add more demanding corals. Supplement with Kalk as needed or 2 part.

This does mean you would need to test regularly, though. Which isn’ta bad thing. At least you’ll have measurements to provide basis for dosing when you eventually buy and need a doser.

 

[Wasabiroot]

I think I would work on stabilizing parameters before changing lighting. I double the ATO recommendation. You definitely don't want your salinity swinging.

 

[muzikalmatt]

I don’t mean there gone I just didn’t know how to word it they just change very quickly I do the two part calcium/alkalinity which I’ll use a dosing pump once I buy one. What do I need to buy first I can buy like lights and a ATO or lights and a dosing pump or a ATO and a dosing pump what is more important!!

I would definitely purchase an ATO first. For lights, maybe try adjusting the spectrum and intensity of what you have before purchasing something new. If that doesn't work you can always buy a new light later.

I agree with @rhostam in that you don't need to worry about dosing right now. Even when you do need to dose, you can always dose 2-part by hand. That's what I do as the consumption in my tank isn't high enough to really necessitate a dosing pump yet.

 

[Mikedawg]

Might find this video helpful:
If you go to the AquaIllumination website, you'll find several "experts" recommendations. I use the Saxby profile with some modification for personal choice.

 

[SlugSnorter]

I don’t use reef roids just because I finds that meater foods are better for them rather than that engineered food.

unrelated: you may have too strong red light, corals only need a touch of it. also, are you sure your flow isn't too strong? lights look a little low too.

 

[Impala67]

well guys I’m running it on 14,000k i don’t like the colors but if it helps the coral then I’m ok with it!! 14,000k

12,000k

this is 10,000k

and last but not least is the fluorese

which one is best?

 

[Impala67]

unrelated: you may have too strong red light, corals only need a touch of it. also, are you sure your flow isn't too strong? lights look a little low too.

Ya I try not to mess with the lights to much and change them but when you have to. As far as flow it’s perfect not to harsh not to soft, it’s a perfect natural swaying and no coral is getting blasted!!

 

[SlugSnorter]

Ya I try not to mess with the lights to much and change them but when you have to. As far as flow it’s perfect not to harsh not to soft, it’s a perfect natural swaying and no coral is getting blasted!!

its likely lighting then, nitrates are fine, and there are no signs of any coral predators.

 

[Impala67]

its likely lighting then, nitrates are fine, and there are no signs of any coral predators.

Lights and ATO what I’m looking at buying the aquanest M8 I hope those will work ok enough!

 

[slacker036]

At least if you see some improvement from upping the power on the lights it will give you a good idea if you should be looking to upgrade the fixture to get more power with a spectrum you like better. I know the 55 gallons are tall so it might just be under powered lights along with any salinity swings by lack of ATO. Hope the info everyone provided will get you some better results.

 

[Tamberav]

This is the lighting I run it should be ok but I do need to get a different light.

I probably would not run 0 white.. especially since this light is not very powerful. Missing out on par and spectrum.

The person who posted their tank with healthy growing corals under a orbit was clearly running a fair amount of white.

 

[Impala67]

At least if you see some improvement from upping the power on the lights it will give you a good idea if you should be looking to upgrade the fixture to get more power with a spectrum you like better. I know the 55 gallons are tall so it might just be under powered lights along with any salinity swings by lack of ATO. Hope the info everyone provided will get you some better results.

What should I look for changing in my coral wise, what signs should I be watching for?

 

[vetteguy53081]

This is the lighting I run it should be ok but I do need to get a different light.

White 12-15%
reduce red to 5%
they need some white which produces zooxanthellae which are the energy and color building blocks for coral
Moderate water flow and light feeding