Need Coral Help!

sheepdog76 · May 23, 2016

Not new to marine tanks but always had FOWLR tanks but for the last 6mth have struggled trying to have some nice Coral. I have watched tons of Youtube, Read many articles and books, and have went through forum after forum. Need some ideas if anyone is so incline to assist. Here is my issue and perimeters.

I have a Biocube 29
Has about 19-21lb waltsmith rock( very alive at this point)and one 10lb live rock (all was in my 30gal fowlr tank before this build)
live sand
Lights are biocube stock
filter fluvial 306 (just like external filters)
in tank huge basket with micro alg
nano skimmer
mj1200 upgrade on the return
jabeo pp4 x2 for flow (opposing side normal is set to mimic waves)

so my numbers are pretty stable and have been for months with a small fluctuation here and there.
Salinity 1.023
Temp 78-79
PH8.38
ALK 9-11
Nitrate 0
Nitrite 0
Dis O2 8.2
Cal 400-425
Mag no test for

Lights are as follows
Blue 0700-1800
Daylight 1000-1700
leds 1700-0000
dark 0000-0700

So now for my issue I have fish which are doing great a Clam that is very healthy and showing growth many snails and crabs for clean up as well as a Brittle Star which has seem to have a little one at some point and a cleaner shrimp. All have been doing well and keeping things clean. as for corals this is were my issue is...... Leathers, Kenya Tree,candy cane and other type clusters all do great and grow. I have tried some Xenia which had died out but a tiny piece has seemed to make a come back very slow. Torch and Goniopora die out after short runs of looking great. Have chalked those up to this tank is just not old enough no clue what else it would be. What I really want to have is a Zoa Garden type look but most of mine are always closed

many end up melting away. This is what I would really like to solve is how to get them to open and thrive. So many things I have read and done seems they should be growing to annoying level but I have yet to have any of my corals do so. I am open to any ideas I have just tried so much with little to zero success

sheepdog76 · May 23, 2016

Here is a current picture.

Saltine · May 23, 2016

I'd start by raising your salinity to 1.025/26, also you say your alk is between 9&11, how often does it swing? One day it's 9, the next it's 11?

salt

CodyRVA · May 23, 2016

Out of curiosity how old is your system? I started with zoas, they are typically easy to care for. I noticed you said your chemistry is stable, but keep in mind, giving a range for ALK (9-11) is a decent range and if its swinging from 9-11 on a regular basis, that may be apart of your problem. Also, your nitrate is at 0, any idea what your phos is at? Super low nutrients can harm them as well. What for fish do you have, possible there are some nippers agitating the polyps?

Saltine · May 23, 2016

CodyRVA said:
Out of curiosity how old is your system? I started with zoas, they are typically easy to care for. I noticed you said your chemistry is stable, but keep in mind, giving a range for ALK (9-11) is a decent range and if its swinging from 9-11 on a regular basis, that may be apart of your problem. Also, your nitrate is at 0, any idea what your phos is at? Super low nutrients can harm them as well. What for fish do you have, possible there are some nippers agitating the polyps?

Looks like a coral beauty in there from the pic, but I can't tell. I was thinking this as well

Salt

sheepdog76 · May 23, 2016

Saltine said:
I'd start by raising your salinity to 1.025/26, also you say your alk is between 9&11, how often does it swing? One day it's 9, the next it's 11?

salt[/QUOTE
The Alk doesn't swing much I try and keep it at 9 but when I do dosing it can go up but comes back down

sheepdog76 · May 23, 2016

CodyRVA said:
Out of curiosity how old is your system? I started with zoas, they are typically easy to care for. I noticed you said your chemistry is stable, but keep in mind, giving a range for ALK (9-11) is a decent range and if its swinging from 9-11 on a regular basis, that may be apart of your problem. Also, your nitrate is at 0, any idea what your phos is at? Super low nutrients can harm them as well. What for fish do you have, possible there are some nippers agitating the polyps?

Phosphate I haven't tested for tank is over 6 months old now and yes the beauty has be in a week now but prob was before that and it hasn't shown to nip much at this point. Fire fish,green goby,watchman, lawnmower and a six line are my other fish

sheepdog76 · May 23, 2016

Alk stays constant for the most part I only put the 9-11 because when I do additives it will go up to the higher number. I use fluval additives 3ions, iodine, and trace elements

Saltine · May 23, 2016

sheepdog76 said:
Alk stays constant for the most part I only put the 9-11 because when I do additives it will go up to the higher number. I use fluval additives 3ions, iodine, and trace elements

That may be your issue, if you have a good water change schedule, I would stop with the additives for a few weeks and see if anything changes.

Salt

LBehr · May 23, 2016

Yeah you don't have any corals that are going to eat up that much calcium so you should be able to get away with weekly 5 gallon water changes and no additives. I did that on my biocube for about 9 months now I have to start dosing cause i have 30+ stony corals.

sheepdog76 · May 23, 2016

Salt it may be! After my water change (about hour ago) just tested my tank and I have it up to just under 1.025. And Zoas that haven't opened are now opening. Still would like to keep the Alk in check. I think the biggest reason for that swing in my water has a low (7.5-7.8 ) ph so I norm use a ph raise which also will raise my Alk any way to do this with out raising the Alk so much?

LBehr · May 23, 2016

You want pretty high nitrates and phosphates for zoas. Also have if it's been 6 months on stock lights you probably should look into new bulbs. I saw price of bulbs and ended up getting an ai prime. Best decision I could have made. Gives me way more options, way better color on corals, and way less algae.

sheepdog76 · May 23, 2016

I do a weekly 5gal water change and only dose to keep the cal around 400 for my clam and other things that need it and iodine is trace. I test for everything before hand and do the math. Haven't been dosing for a few weeks though.

LBehr · May 23, 2016

Are you using tap water?

sheepdog76 · May 23, 2016

LBehr said:
You want pretty high nitrates and phosphates for zoas. Also have if it's been 6 months on stock lights you probably should look into new bulbs. I saw price of bulbs and ended up getting an ai prime. Best decision I could have made. Gives me way more options, way better color on corals, and way less algae.

I was planning to get new bulbs but have been trying to find other options that would give better color. Also what is your light timing?

sheepdog76 · May 23, 2016

No I use ro water though even my well water here test awesome

sheepdog76 · May 23, 2016

LBehr said:
You want pretty high nitrates and phosphates for zoas. Also have if it's been 6 months on stock lights you probably should look into new bulbs. I saw price of bulbs and ended up getting an ai prime. Best decision I could have made. Gives me way more options, way better color on corals, and way less algae.

Did you remove your hood for those lights or did they fit? Want to keep the hood but wouldn't mind having a better lighting system

LBehr · May 23, 2016

I removed hood Ive seen people cut a hole in the hood but I have light sitting a foot or so above tank to get better spread of light. I actually like it better without hood but I do have to top off twice as much.