Reef Chem question

KorD · Jan 15, 2015

Ok, here is the run down... I have not seen growth in my tank since day one really... it has been up and running now for 9 months+, not really sure the date I set it up.
It is a 29 gallon tank with an 8 gallon sump running through a filter sock. it has basic flow through to and from the tank through bulkheads The light is a full spectrum Chinese light that runs for 10 hours a day and a set of moonlights that run 30 min prior and post light. the light settings are low on the white (about 10-15%) and around 40% blues. These lights were just added to my tank about 2 weeks ago.

The Params are as follows:
pH - 8.2-8.4
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0
Ca - around 460ppm
KH - 9dkh
Mg - 1280

I am open for any suggestions that I can take.. everything is healthy and the anemones are loving the new light, it just seems the symposium, zoas, and mushrooms are slowly doing noting or shriveling up and are being killed off.. this has been going on for some time prior to the new lights!

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 15, 2015

Zooanthids and mushrooms can grow quite slowly.

That said, are there fish in the tank that you are feeding?

KorD · Jan 15, 2015

Yes, I have a few fish in the tank, and twice a week I also turn off the pumps and feed wither Limpits reef buffet or Oyster Feast to the corals.

I understand they are slow growing corals, but I do not see growth like I did in any of my nano tanks (10 gal and under) I have had.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 16, 2015

Perhaps they are starved for nutrients?

KorD · Jan 18, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Perhaps they are starved for nutrients?

That could be a problem.. I do add 1 tsp of skimmer waste back into the sump twice a week.. I get very low algae growth in my tank.. to the point I was told my tank is TOO clean by a few other reefers.. I backed my skimmer down to the lowest setting and am finally getting algae growth in my tank on the back wall for the last few months...

I started dosing pods and phyto a few monte ago as well.

Today I checked my levels again.. they are the same as before, except for my Mg. it is in the 1420 range.. is there a way to bring down the MG without bothering the other ranges?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 18, 2015

I'd feed more fish food rather than skimmer waste.

Unless you added a huge amount of magnesium supplement, it didn't rise since the last reading, so I wouldn't be looking for a way to lower it. Even if the current value is correct, that level is fine.