Polyp Extension

jsbzcmcdaniel · Mar 17, 2019

Guys -

Trying to figure out why my SPS frags have little polyp extension.

My current measurements are:

Temp: 79
Salinity - 1.026
Cal - 498
Mag - 1350
Alk - 8.2
PO4 - 0

120g Waterbox, 2 Hydra 26HD, Nyos 120 skimmer, Nyos Reactor with activated carbon. The water movement is done by two MP40's on 30% power.

I only have 5 SPS frags right now as my tank has been up since late Nov. The reefer I got them from over a month or so ago had great polyp extension. Just trying to figure out why I don't get the same.

Thanks - Jim

Softhammer · Mar 17, 2019

120 gallons with only 2 26s and 30%? You need to run that at 110%

Mastiffsrule · Mar 17, 2019

Numbers look pretty good. Did you check No3?

Also wondering if 2 26’s are enough light. How do you have the Set?

jsbzcmcdaniel · Mar 17, 2019

Softhammer said:
120 gallons with only 2 26s and 30%? You need to run that at 110%

The MP40's are at 30%

AngryMike2016 · Mar 17, 2019

30% power on the MP40s at that tank size is way low. I have a 90 gallon (Red Sea 425) with two MP40s on opposite of sides of the tank; they are running nutrient transport mode at 100%.

In the interest of changing just one thing at a time, start with cranking those MP40s way up (full blast, imo). Wait a few weeks, then start ramping up the lights. Try to either found a PAR meter to borrow, or rent one from BRS.

By SPS frags, do you mean acropora? Or a different kind of SPS? For the acropora case, I personally would like to see around 250 par where those frags are located to start with.

jsbzcmcdaniel · Mar 17, 2019

Mastiffsrule said:
Numbers look pretty good. Did you check No3?

Also wondering if 2 26’s are enough light. How do you have the Set?

The Hydra 26 HD's should be plenty of light. They are running from 12:00pm to 10:00pm.

The current settings are:

UV - 5%
Violet - 118%
Royal - 140%
Blue - 116%
Green - 5%
Deep Red - 7%
Cool White - 5%

jsbzcmcdaniel · Mar 17, 2019

AngryMike2016 said:
30% power on the MP40s at that tank size is way low. I have a 90 gallon (Red Sea 425) with two MP40s on opposite of sides of the tank; they are running nutrient transport mode at 100%.

In the interest of changing just one thing at a time, start with cranking those MP40s way up (full blast, imo). Wait a few weeks, then start ramping up the lights. Try to either found a PAR meter to borrow, or rent one from BRS.

By SPS frags, do you mean acropora? Or a different kind of SPS? For the acropora case, I personally would like to see around 250 par where those frags are located to start with.

Yes acro frags

reacclimating 2 the hobby · Mar 17, 2019

pic of tank?

jsbzcmcdaniel · Mar 17, 2019

reacclimating 2 the hobby said:
pic of tank?

reacclimating 2 the hobby · Mar 17, 2019

I'd agree with comments above. Get the MP40's turned up and start increasing your light intensity.

jsbzcmcdaniel · Mar 17, 2019

reacclimating 2 the hobby said:
I'd agree with comments above. Get the MP40's turned up and start increasing your light intensity.

How do I turn up the intensity? I set the color % and that's it. I don't see anything to change the intensity.

Graffiti Spot · Mar 17, 2019

Do you have any fish in there? I don’t worry about polyp extension unless I am looking for bugs. It will vary depending on the tank and not much of a reason to change things. Although I would say the advice on flow will help but I can’t help with leds.

jsbzcmcdaniel · Mar 17, 2019

Pedoconfuego said:
Do you have any fish in there? I don’t worry about polyp extension unless I am looking for bugs. It will vary depending on the tank and not much of a reason to change things. Although I would say the advice on flow will help but I can’t help with leds.

I have a yellow tang and two mocha store clownfish.

jsbzcmcdaniel · Mar 17, 2019

Mastiffsrule said:
Numbers look pretty good. Did you check No3?

Also wondering if 2 26’s are enough light. How do you have the Set?

I didn't check No3. I am out of tests but ordered and will have tomorrow.

GodfathR · Mar 17, 2019

How about your po4?

reacclimating 2 the hobby · Mar 17, 2019

Sorry I missed your light comment with %... I'm running MH/T5 combo and my lights are much lower then yours appear.

GodfathR · Mar 17, 2019

How about your phosphate levels. Just from what I have read your tank needs more nutrients. Get some more fish in there and start feeding.

Mastiffsrule · Mar 17, 2019

The lights are fairly up there. I just don’t 5ink you are getting close to the par you need w only 2 26’s. Can you lower them?

The % of color is the intensity. What % are you at now?

jsbzcmcdaniel · Mar 17, 2019

Mastiffsrule said:
The lights are fairly up there. I just don’t 5ink you are getting close to the par you need w only 2 26’s. Can you lower them?

The % of color is the intensity. What % are you at now?

The % are listed above. My lights are 10" from the top of the tank.

Mastiffsrule · Mar 17, 2019

jsbzcmcdaniel said:
The % are listed above. My lights are 10" from the top of the tank.

Sorry I missed It. The hydra are good light, but I think running them at +100% shows they may be a bit underpowered. I run 3 AI Hd 52 above my 180 and they run at 90%. Did you try downloading some of the AI light science programs?

Not saying light is an issue, but if the prior owner was running higher par, that is what the coral is used to. What light was he running?