SPS ID and growth/parameters question

[ps2cho]

Parameters:
Alk: 8.3dkH
Ca: 390 (will slowly work back up to ~450)
Po4: Undetectable (prob due to hair algae)
NO3: Undetectable (prob due to hair algae)

So not sure what SPS this is...But its about 2.5mo in the tank and is encrusting incredibly slowly...its barely got over the glue.
Does it look "happy"?
Will it speed up maybe as the tank matures further and the algae subsides? (Tank is 7-months old)

I want to get NO3 and PO4 to 5ppm and 0.3-0.5ppm, but I dont want to feed the algae growth, so not what the best approach is?

This SPS (strawberry shortcake maybe?) seems to be doing much better and is encrusting nicely.
Does it look pretty good so far?

 

[ndrwater]

Both look a little pale to be honest. I would up the water changes using RODI if you aren't already. I would physically remove as much algae as possible to help jumpstart things. A Sea hare would help as well. They are cheap and could be re-homed once thing are where you need them to be. Getting the Phos and Nitrate to where it should be will help with the color.
Some coral encrust quickly, and some take longer. Neither look bad at all, just a bit pale.
Keep in mind that 7 months, although not new, is still relatively young in SPS tank terms. Getting things truly stable will help color as well as algae control.

 

[ps2cho]

Good point because I have a montipora that is super pale...is it because the tank is too clean?

If I up the water changes won't it make even less nutrients?

I am using RODI so it's likely coming from whatever is leeching from the eggcrate and PVC pipes I made the frag rack out of

 

[kazikage42]

I think I'm in the same boat as you. My tank is roughly 3 months old and some of my sps corals are kinda pale but encrusting at a moderate rate. Also I have hair algae but my no3 is undectable and phosphate about .05 from last test. I started to run gfo and do more water changes. I do feed alot using acropower and ReefRoids though to help my sps not bleaching out yet grow.

 

[ndrwater]

Most likely not as far as too few nutrients. Regular water changes will help stabilize things as far as Cal and Alk., dilute the Phos and get the algae under control. Although some would say otherwise, I have had great success using Acropower as an amino supplement. Use it sparingly, but I think you'll see results.

 

[ndrwater]

Careful with GFO. It can strip the Phosphate very quickly causing additional stresses of the corals.
Some detectable Phos and Nitrate is necessary for color and growth.

 

[ps2cho]

Should I maybe try dosing NO3 or will that just fuel more GHA to grow?

I have no chemical filtration and the skimmer is off

 

[ndrwater]

I'd leave the skimmer on. I wouldn't dose NO3 until you really see where you are at AFTER the GHA is under control. No point in adding fuel to the fire...

 

[ndrwater]

FWIW, I don't run carbon, took the GFO offline over a year ago and use Acropower combined with Reef Snow only when I think about is which is rarely.
Granted my tank is years beyond yours, but my growth is exponential to the point of being troublesome..
They key is stability. I dose 3 part ESV B-Ionic and feed the fish.. that's about it. No algae beyond wiping the glass once a week is it.
Getting nuisance algae like GHA under control so you REALLY know where your nutrient levels are go a long way to long term success.

 

[ps2cho]

So you suggest I turn skimmer back on, up the water changes...maybe 25% a week? And see what happens?

 

[ndrwater]

I would to both.
If it is easier, you can do more frequent smaller water changes. Larger water changes, although sometimes warranted, are actually counterproductive to stability. Smaller more frequent is often easier on you AND your corals.

 

[Dilan Patel]

remember some sps corals dont lay down as much skeleton for a base such as red dragon which is a coral who barely encrusts. while my green planey encrust alot. it depends on species and setting of the tank.

 

[tigé21v]

It looks like lyngbya on your racks to me. Hermit crabs, and to an extent, snails took care of it for me.
The hermits were awesome at getting it under control on the frags and rack, the snails on the glass.