SPS never opened.... Why????

Emma01 · Feb 2, 2019

Hi all.
I purchased a ‘Scarlet Eye Meteor Shower frag’ ( Cyphastrea) approx 6 months ago. (Haven’t long joined onto here so I had no one to ask before as to why this issue came about)
And for some reason it NEVER opened! I acclimated it as I usually do with corals both floating the bag for temp acclimation and drip-line (Minimum hour). It was my first SPS, and it’s put a bad taste in my mouth about getting any further ones.

My parameters at the time were (and stable) Hanna checkers
KH-8.1
PH- 8.3
Temp 25c
Salinity 1025
Calcium 386
Magnesium 1155
Nitrates 10
Nitrites 0
Phosphate 0

I tried high flow, low flow, high lighting, low lighting over months. It just never opened.

I did though recently find out that my TDS meter was reading incorrectly, and on purchasing a new one, was coming out as 7-8 ppm
Would this have caused it not to open, any suggestions ?
Thanks
Emma

Crabs McJones · Feb 2, 2019

Hi Emma,

What lighting do you have the coral under and where is it placed in the tank? Cyphastrea like moderate lighting (150-200 par) and require moderate flow. No nitrate and no phosphate might also be part of the issue as they tend to like a little dirtier water.

Emma01 · Feb 2, 2019

Crabs Mcjones said:
Hi Emma,

What lighting do you have the coral under and where is it placed in the tank? Cyphastrea like moderate lighting (150-200 par) and require moderate flow. No nitrate and no phosphate might also be part of the issue as they tend to like a little dirtier water.

Hi.
I run a ZetLight UFO light. (I’ve a nano reef)
Initially I placed it on the sand for light acclimation and had my light on acclimation mode for a week.
I’d say it was receiving moderate flow at the time on the sand bed. The depth of the aquarium is only 30cm.
I’ve never been able to get my phosphate up for some reason?
Thanks

phixman · Feb 7, 2019

Cyphastreas like the flow of an lps and lighting of an sps. They may be one of the most challenging sps to find a good spot for. Magnesium seems low , but not sure it’s the problem. Phosphates also look a bit low. Try a red cap monti , they are easy to keep and cheap. Lighting may be low , have you tested your PAR? I think the reason why you can’t get nutrients up may have to do with your sand bed , how deep is it ? I had a nuvo fusion 20 with 3 inches of sand , and nutrients never went over 0

Emma01 · Feb 7, 2019

phixman said:
Cyphastreas like the flow of an lps and lighting of an sps. They may be one of the most challenging sps to find a good spot for. Magnesium seems low , but not sure it’s the problem. Phosphates also look a bit low. Try a red cap monti , they are easy to keep and cheap. Lighting may be low , have you tested your PAR? I think the reason why you can’t get nutrients up may have to do with your sand bed , how deep is it ? I had a nuvo fusion 20 with 3 inches of sand , and nutrients never went over 0

Sand bed is about 1 inch deep. I’ll definitely try a monti and see how I go. I haven’t tested PAR, which may be the next thing I invest into (PAR meter)
Thanks