Struggling with growth and color

[Scubapro13]

I have had my 30 gallon set up for 7 months now and some of the frags have had little growth. Have also struggle with color but have started using the nano zeovit program for the last couple weeks and it has seemed to help coloration at getting a little more growth in my green bird's nest.
Calcium 420
Alk 9
Nitrates 2
Phosphates .05 ish
Magnesium 1500
PH 8.3
I run BRS 2 part every hour offsetting the one 30 minutes to reduce swings
Lights Ai prime running it at 15000k at 70 percent

Running a protein skimmer and change out my filter pads every three days or so and passively run a small amount of gfo
I have a lux meter but really don't have a understanding of it yet but its reading about 23000 right under the light but really dies off fast. I really want to be successful with corals but I have always struggled even with my 90 gallon that's at my parents house

 

[twilliard]

I would dig into the lighting

 

[Diesel]

You dosed Zeo you mentioned, and it improved the color.
Can you specific on what you dose from zeo?

 

[Elementalj]

I have had my 30 gallon set up for 7 months now and some of the frags have had little growth. Have also struggle with color but have started using the nano zeovit program for the last couple weeks and it has seemed to help coloration at getting a little more growth in my green bird's nest.
Calcium 420
Alk 9
Nitrates 2
Phosphates .05 ish
Magnesium 1500
PH 8.3
I run BRS 2 part every hour offsetting the one 30 minutes to reduce swings
Lights Ai prime running it at 15000k at 70 percent

Running a protein skimmer and change out my filter pads every three days or so and passively run a small amount of gfo
I have a lux meter but really don't have a understanding of it yet but its reading about 23000 right under the light but really dies off fast. I really want to be successful with corals but I have always struggled even with my 90 gallon that's at my parents house

I'm gonnna second the lighting. How far above the water surface is the light? I'd also reduce the intensity some as well. I had trouble with growth with the kessil until I raised it up, and reduced the intensity. Now the Zoa's and shrooms are happy, and the LPS flesh out like crazy. I also started feeding the tank a little more. Seems some corals like dirt!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I have had my 30 gallon set up for 7 months now and some of the frags have had little growth. Have also struggle with color but have started using the nano zeovit program for the last couple weeks and it has seemed to help coloration at getting a little more growth in my green bird's nest.
Calcium 420
Alk 9
Nitrates 2
Phosphates .05 ish
Magnesium 1500
PH 8.3
I run BRS 2 part every hour offsetting the one 30 minutes to reduce swings
Lights Ai prime running it at 15000k at 70 percent

Running a protein skimmer and change out my filter pads every three days or so and passively run a small amount of gfo
I have a lux meter but really don't have a understanding of it yet but its reading about 23000 right under the light but really dies off fast. I really want to be successful with corals but I have always struggled even with my 90 gallon that's at my parents house

If its 23000 lux thats not much light. and sounds like you have a lot of fall off over the tank.
what meter do you have?
How far below the light is the meter?
How high over the tank is the light?

Light alk nutrients and flow all come in to play together for color and growth.

My xenia (and acros) are under 30- 40,000 lux at the top of the tank fyi.
some palys, zoas gorg too.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Seems some corals like dirt!

Poop actually

 

[Elementalj]

Poop actually

Well, I WAS trying to make It as family friendly as possible. And for me that is a serious feat of pure will!

 

[Travis Stewart]

I've noticed best growth with my prime on my 30 about 7-10 inches off the water. I'm also maxing colors out to 100% during peak leaving white at 25-30%.

 

[Elementalj]

I've noticed best growth with my prime on my 30 about 7-10 inches off the water. I'm also maxing colors out to 100% during peak leaving white at 25-30%.

I'd raise it to 10 inches and leave your setting in place.

 

[markalot]

Have you taken any top down shots to see if you have good color on top just not on the sides?

I would run Alk a lot lower, around 7, to avoid any issues with low nutrients, especially id you are experimenting with Zeovit.

When I had acros in a smaller tank, lit by all LED, I could get color only if I fed very heavily.

 

[Scubapro13]

 

[Scubapro13]

Sorry for the non timely response but light is about 7 inches above the water. The meter I have is a doctor meter lx1330b. As far as the zeovit I bought the nano power set which includes amino acid concentrate, kohls extra, sponge power, and coral vitalizer

 

[Scubapro13]

As far as flow in my tank I have a gyre 15, 2 maxijet 1200 for return and another 600 gph powerhead

 

[Scubapro13]

If I were to upgrade my lighting would you guys have any recomendations

 

[Scubapro13]

Would the kessil A360 be a upgrade?

 

[Elementalj]

Would the kessil A360 be a upgrade?

I believe so. Be careful with the kessil though. It's super powerful. I learned the hard way. [emoji15]

 

[jvb89]

An A160we would work over this tank as well.

 

[Travis Stewart]

What's wrong with the prime?

 

[jvb89]

An A160we would work over this tank as well.

My suggestion is to change one thing at a time and make it the cheapest change first. No need to go swapping lights right off the start.

 

[Scubapro13]

I did end up raising it to 10 inches so we shall see in going to slowly raise the levels of the light and go from there