Slow growth?

[RobberyinCSharp1824]

I've got a few different types of zoas and palys in my tank right now. While all of them are healthy looking, open normally, show good coloration, show no signs of stress, etc., I just cannot seem to grow new polyps! I think my oldest zoa is a month or two old, and doesn't have a single new polyp. Same with one of my palys. Others are newer so I don't expect as much growth, but it's there something I'm doing wrong? I dose your standard reef elements at each water change and test their levels after a few hours of the new water circulating.

Ca: 470ppm
Mg: 1350-1400ppm
pH: 7.8 (low, but only due to winter forcing us to keep the window closed so I know gas exchange isn't ideal)
Alk: 15 (also definitely wrong - I'm on the hunt for reliable alk tests, but the two I used so far say this)
Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 25ppm
Phosphate: Flux between 0.25 - 0.5

Any thoughts/suggestions/tips?

 

[RobberyinCSharp1824]

I should also mention I'm using 125W LED lighting every day

 

[Reef Pets]

Alk is rather high and calcium is on the higher side both of which could be the cause of slow growth. Also, a month old frag is still rather new to a system. Once your levels are in check, water is more stable and coral have settled in I'm sure you will start seeing growth.

 

[ZoaCollector]

I noticed growth trigger when I added a carbon source. Such as more fish and regular feedings. I had to make sure my system could handle the extra load.

 

[RobberyinCSharp1824]

Alk is rather high and calcium is on the higher side both of which could be the cause of slow growth. Also, a month old frag is still rather new to a system. Once your levels are in check, water is more stable and coral have settled in I'm sure you will start seeing growth.

Yeah, I'm not sure if the alk is a legit reading or if my test is bad. At first I wondered if my Ca was actually low and the alk was legit, but I've got an SPS coral doing quite well, along with my lps/softies. By now my coral would definitely show signs of poor health. So, I need to find a reliable source for Alk testing. Otherwise, why is having high Ca bad? Everywhere I go, people are always talking about adding MORE Ca into their tank! I never would have guessed high Ca would have a negative impact, although I can certainly believe it - everything in this hobby is about the balance.

I noticed growth trigger when I added a carbon source. Such as more fish and regular feedings. I had to make sure my system could handle the extra load.

Yeah, I actually need to increase my carbon source. I think I've hit the livestock limit for my size tank, but I'm going to tinker with carbon dosing.

 

[AJ Reef]

A month is a short time frame to expect growth. Especially if you are not target feeding. Often polyps need some time to settle in as well. Were the frags fresh cut or fully healed when you got them?