There is something to be said about a young tank and growing coral, in general. A new tank (0-6 months) isn't fully established biologically /chemically or in general completely for these reasons if:
1. If the system isn't from a "transfer tank", (upgrade from a established system. ) Use of dry rock, new sand, etc.... just takes longer to become balanced biologically. I call these "raw systems"
2. New tanks ( transfer, raw) can take time to balance chemically. (Water pramameters) This is mostly impart due to the keeper learning, through testing, what the tank is using and what is needed to maintain water chemistry/parameters and how to adjust accordingly.
3. Changing stuff, part one - messing with and adding/ different equipment. This is a learning curve for some as a new tank may, especially the new hobbyist, reveal poor equipment choices or a need to change equipment to improve performance based on need or want.
4. Changing stuff, part two - changing lighting settings, flow and direction, rearranging rock work, changing/ adding sand and adding/ removing/ dead livestock.
5. Changing stuff, part three - over reacting to water pramameters and constantly adjusting them to keep them in proper values too quickly by adding/ dosing "for the moment".
6. Dealing with livestock issues - disease and parasites, fish and coral. Honestly, this happens to all of us at some point, regardless if a tank is new or years old. Can and does cause stress to everything or select living things in the tank. Lack of quarantining new livestock.....
7. The dreaded "nasties" - the biological process that everyone experiences with a new tank (and sometimes old tanks) Algae, diatoms and Cyanobacteria. Treating them chemically, siphoning, scrubbing, lights out......etc.
8. L.A.R.S. ( Lazy $&@ reefer syndrome) lol. Lack of consistency in husbandry/maintenance. Just not doing what is needed to maintain the tank and/or what's in it in a timely manner. Letting things go to long and then reacting too late or over reacting.
9. Lack of knowledge/ lack of research/ lack of preparation -misinformation, not doing your "home work" before buying that coral, equipment, fish....... listening to that bad LFS that tells you "it will be fine to add to your tank!"
And finally......
10. Patients - nothing in this hobby that is good happens fast. The only exception is an emergency. This goes hand in hand with the above. Wanting things to be a certain way "faster" than money and/or time can provide. "My corals look bad", "My corals don't seem to grow much".......... I'll add this because someone said it works.... dump. I think it's my lights, (buys new lights).....etc. Quick changes will cause more harm than good, at least for most things we do in this hobby.
All of this is NOT a dig on new hobbyists, remember we all were new at sometime and I'm just as guilty as the next when talking about the above.
All of the above contributes to corals in general having a tuff time or not making it. This doesn't take into account where the coral came from, it's general health at the time of purchase, what we do to acclimate them into our systems and long term care. There's just so much more than one thing to think about in this hobby.
