Mushroom coral not growing

waynesai · Jul 23, 2018

I have been maintaining a 24L (~6.3 gallon) nano tank as my first tank for about 9 months.

Tank model: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ocean-F...-Fish-Tank-LED-Fresh-Marine-Kit-/222591698164

My intention is to just keep a low-commitment tank. 2 clownfishes, CUCs and 1 mushroom coral have been around since the earliest days of setting up the tank, but the mushroom coral has not reproduce since.

I want to solve the coral growth issue before adding more corals so recently, I upgraded my lighting (was using the stock lighting).

Water change is being performed every 1-2 weeks. My water source is from tap water, including the ones used to top up the water level due to evaporation. I also add this conditioner to the tap water before adding into my tank. https://www.seachem.com/prime.php. Not very sure if the water quality is the key factor here and if I have to purchase a RO/DI unit for my nano tank, which feels beyond my intention of starting this tank.

Currently, I am still observing if the coral is growing since my lighting was just changed recently.

I dont have water parameters so I also dont take measurement.

lapin · Jul 23, 2018

We will only be guessing as to what the solution is with out knowing more about your water. We will want to know if its is "City water" with chemicals added, "Well water", or "Rain water". We also need to know Alk, Cal, Mag, to help you. "I dont have water parameters so I also dont take measurements." Another option is to purchase RO/DI water and salt water from your local fish store. Perhaps they can test your water?

Mavric · Jul 23, 2018

Also, you stated you just upgraded your lighting. Corals can suffer from shock if they are introduced to new lighting that can cause them to recede. I learned from this the hard way. All my Zoas closed up and my euphyllas shortened and became "bleached". It took a solid month of light acclimation to get them back looking somewhat healthy again. The entire time I was thinking it had something to do with my parameters and I was getting to the point where I was obsessing over it. Just something to consider. If the new light you upgraded to is more powerful than the one that came with the tank, consider lowering the lights and only keeping them on for half the time during the day.

Ghost25 · Jul 23, 2018

You don't have to buy a RO/DI unit. You can buy deionized it distilled water at the grocery store for around $1 a gallon. With such a small tank it well be very affordable.

waynesai · Sep 3, 2018

Bought some test kits recently and here are my tank parameters

Temp 28 deg celcius to 30 deg celcius
salt 1.025
Calcium >500 ppm (out of chart)
Carbonate Hardness 11.27 dkh
nitrite 0
ammonia 0
nitrate 0
Phosphate <0.03

Water change once a week
Still using tap water. I read that distilled water is considered "soft" water and might cause alkalinity issue, is that true?

Retro Reefer · Sep 3, 2018

Distilled water is fine I used it for years in my nano and Pico tanks.. the Walmart near me has it for 84 cents a gallon and it was a great easy solution for my small tank water needs. The gallon jugs are also super easy to deal with, mix your salt water in and are also easy to store. My suggestions... Stop using tap water and prime, Make sure your not blasting them with to much light, shrooms like dirty water so I would cut your water changes back to maybe 1 time a month and also with small tanks you really need a ATO to keep your salinity stable, the small volume of water is subject wild swings in temperature and salinity.

scott11106 · Sep 3, 2018

waynesai said:
Bought some test kits recently and here are my tank parameters

Temp 28 deg celcius to 30 deg celcius
salt 1.025
Calcium >500 ppm (out of chart)
Carbonate Hardness 11.27 dkh
nitrite 0
ammonia 0
nitrate 0
Phosphate <0.03

Water change once a week
Still using tap water. I read that distilled water is considered "soft" water and might cause alkalinity issue, is that true?

RO/di best, distilled will be better than tap water, and i agree with above, that what you have in there need very little light and somewhat dirty water or to put that better, they like less stripped water and food in water column.
you may want to post pics of tank and support system as it helps to review