Some Pictures to See

Dom · Jan 19, 2017

Hello

This is a picture of my display tank. As you can see, there isn't a shortage of Coraline Algae growth. generally speaking, this is an indicator of good water quality. When you couple this with the lack of growth by my corals, and in 1 case, the dying off of a coral, I'm left to wonder if the abundance of calcium is an indicator of how little my corals are failing to pick up.

This is a close up of the glass on the left side of my tank. It includes a picture of these tiny, shell-like creatures. I believe they are called "limpets"? Are they good or bad? It is getting to a point where I'd almost call it an infestation.

This is a before / after photo of one of my pieces. I wish I knew what happened to this guy!

After...

Not all have failed; my Zoa frag has carpeted a small piece of rock nicely. Although it has been months since there has been any growth.

Also notice these guys... I believe I've heard them referred to as "Fingers". They too have grown and started to cover rock. But, they don't "bloom".

I've been in this hobby since 2011. These aren't the results I expected. The results don't reflect the work put into the tank.

Thoughts?

saltyhog · Jan 19, 2017

Coraline growth doesn't really equate with good water quality. My QT tank grows it like crazy and nitrates in there are probably too high to grow any coral.

Tell us about your filtration, parameters, husbandry practices, dosing?

tangerine3486 · Jan 19, 2017

Yes, limpets. I have never had an issue with them.

Dom · Jan 20, 2017

saltyhog said:
Coraline growth doesn't really equate with good water quality. My QT tank grows it like crazy and nitrates in there are probably too high to grow any coral.

Tell us about your filtration, parameters, husbandry practices, dosing?

I do not dose; I rely on weekly water changes using reef crystals. I maintain a .35PPT salt level. My pH fluctuates between 7.9 and 8.25 (measures by a properly calibrated probe).

I began practicing nutrient export via a refugium about 3 months ago. Since that time, my nitrates have been ZERO. My ammonia has always been and continues to be ZERO as well. It has been suggested here on the site that some nitrates are important to proper coral growth, so, I reduced the size of the refugium which has now allowed nitrates to fluctuate in the 5-10 range.

My most recent test results are: Phosphates (.25), Calcium (440), Alk (8.4dKH) (3.0 Meq/L)

In terms of maintenance, the evening before a water change, I clean all glass and churn the substrate. The following day, I do a 20% water change, rinsing all filter media in old water. My polishing pad gets changed weekly and the thicker filter pads get changed monthly. Those monthly pad changes are staggered so that all media isn't new at one time.

My sump contains a filter media section which transitions to an area of live rock, then to a return chamber where I have a Reef Octopus 110 skimmer.

This is not an advanced tank. It has 2 tomato clowns and entry level corals. I feel that my practices exceed the needs of the animals in the tank. This is a lot of work and no results. If I can't get this turned around by the end of the year, I'm giving up on the hobby.

Tahoe61 · Jan 20, 2017

Did I miss lighting type?
Do you test for mag? What test kit for alk, if Hanna, is your reagent good?
That particular Goniopora type is known for being difficult to keep long term, so that is not really surprising.
As already mentioned the presence of coralline does not necessarily relate to water quality, and coralline ime prefers lower lighting.
I would be curious to see an ORP value, is there a fish store located near you?
What tank brand is this?

I am truly sorry you are not seeing the results you deserve, it's extremely frustrating.

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 20, 2017

Tahoe61 said:
Did I miss lighting type?
Do you test for mag? What test kit for alk, if Hanna, is your reagent good?
That particular Goniopora type is known for being difficult to keep long term, so that is not really surprising.
As already mentioned the presence of coralline does not necessarily relate to water quality, and coralline ime prefers lower lighting.
I would be curious to see an ORP value, is there a fish store located near you?
What tank brand is this?

I am truly sorry you are not seeing the results you deserve, it's extremely frustrating.

+1

And yea. lets talk about light.

Dom said:
I believe they are called "limpets"? Are they good or bad? It is getting to a point where I'd almost call it an infestation.

Similar to asterina invasions, populations will overtake other populations. Just cull the herd. IMO

The large number of tube worms also says there's a fairly high constant supply of dissolved solids as a food source.