SPS bubble gum digitata losing color and polyp extension

[EakTheFreak]

Howdy R2R,

Looking for opinions on why my Bubble gum digi is losing some color and polyp extension?

it’s growing fast and the tips still have the green tint but the orange polyps are not extended as far and it has become far more pale than when I first got it.

Here is the list of my current parameters:

PH - 8.10 - 8.18
ALK - 9.06
CAL - 445
MAG - 1465
Phosphate - .05
Nitrate - 10

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Howdy R2R,

Looking for opinions on why my Bubble gum digi is losing some color and polyp extension?

it’s growing fast and the tips still have the green tint but the orange polyps are not extended as far and it has become far more pale than when I first got it.

Here is the list of my current parameters:

PH - 8.10 - 8.18
ALK - 9.06
CAL - 445
MAG - 1465
Phosphate - .05
Nitrate - 10

Any advice is appreciated.

Was there any change in lighting or flow?
If not, check your CA and alk and assure salinity not elevated

 

[EakTheFreak]

Was there any change in lighting or flow?
If not, check your CA and alk and assure salinity not elevated

No changes, I will in fact check the salinity old school because I have been relying on Apex salinity probe which could be off.

 

[am3gross]

what was your salinity?

 

[EakTheFreak]

Ended up being 1.025 so I’m still not sure what the issue is.

 

[am3gross]

Are you dosing anything?

 

[JaaxReef]

I’ve never had luck with bubblegum or forest fire Digitata (same low polyp extension and color shown in this thread) but all my other sps including other montis are growing and colored up wonderfully. Curious if people know the secret on this one.

 

[am3gross]

I was in the same boat really, however...

I bought mine and it looked really good, then after a few weeks it started to loose its polyps and color... To the point I thought it was dead. At the time I was dosing PhosphateE to try and get the PO4 down... Well when I stopped dosing it, it started to come back to life. At the same time I also lowered my light intensity. So 1 of the 2 factors is what turned mine around and it is currently thriving.

 

[Slicktop]

try lower Mag and Cal. I had same issue and my Cal was higher than I thought after getting a ICP test.. Same with Mag, dropped Mag to @1400 and Cal to @ 425

 

[shakacuz]

what else other than your apex are you using to test?

i see growth at the base, so i don't believe it to be a water chemistry issue but more so a flow/lightning issue, or as someone mentioned, something that you could be dosing.

 

[EakTheFreak]

I test with Hannah checkers every now and again. I may be due for an ICP test here soon. I do dose NoPox to hold my nutrients at those levels. I also run GFO to keep phosphate in the .05-.10 range. It is getting a good amount of light directly under an Apex 360X. Wondering if I should lower the lights first?

 

[EakTheFreak]

I was in the same boat really, however...

I bought mine and it looked really good, then after a few weeks it started to loose its polyps and color... To the point I thought it was dead. At the time I was dosing PhosphateE to try and get the PO4 down... Well when I stopped dosing it, it started to come back to life. At the same time I also lowered my light intensity. So 1 of the 2 factors is what turned mine around and it is currently thriving.

What we’re your nutrients at and what type of lighting?

 

[shakacuz]

I test with Hannah checkers every now and again. I may be due for an ICP test here soon. I do dose NoPox to hold my nutrients at those levels. I also run GFO to keep phosphate in the .05-.10 range. It is getting a good amount of light directly under an Apex 360X. Wondering if I should lower the lights first?

not sure what it could be.

definitely look to send out that ICP..

 

[EakTheFreak]

Just ordered the ICP. Wondering if I have something weird leaching. I have had ceramic media under my refugium for about 3 years

 

[billyocean]

Numbers look good. 9 is on a little of the "less forgiving" side of alk but definately not the issue. I run 1450ish mag and have no problems growing it. Interested in icp. Do you ever add any iodide?

 

[EakTheFreak]

Numbers look good. 9 is on a little of the "less forgiving" side of alk but definately not the issue. I run 1450ish mag and have no problems growing it. Interested in icp. Do you ever add any iodide?

I dose 3 ML of Brightwell Iodion (Iodide) every week and test it.

 

[am3gross]

What we’re your nutrients at and what type of lighting?

I had higher phosphates (.15-.18) and was trying to lower them by using PhosphateE, Lights I use are the XR15.

 

[EakTheFreak]

I had higher phosphates (.15-.18) and was trying to lower them by using PhosphateE, Lights I use are the XR15.

I use Kessil A360X that ramp up to 90%

 

[am3gross]

I use Kessil A360X that ramp up to 90%

mine were at 70% and I turned them down to 50%. Also should note that my digi was about 12-18 inches from the light.

 

[EakTheFreak]

mine were at 70% and I turned them down to 50%. Also should note that my digi was about 12-18 inches from the light.

That’s great information! Thanks for sharing.