Torch and hammer coral not opening up.

[Matt56]

So I have had these two corals for around 4-5 months now and they have not really grown and they have always been like this(refer to the pictures) throughout the whole time. I am wonder if it’s something I’m doing that’s not allowing them to “expand” their tentacles fully. I have a 120g tank with 2 hydra 26 lights. Did a 10g water change last night and my parameters today were:
Calcium-360
Phosphate-0.08-0.12
Alk-6(DKH)
Nitrites are at 0
ammonia is at .01 I’d say
My nitrates are prettt high sitting at 10-20(Red Sea kit) looks more towards the 20 side so maybe 18
And my PH is sitting at 8.2
If you need more information please ask.

 

[Thespammailaccount]

So I have had these two corals for around 4-5 months now and they have not really grown and they have always been like this(refer to the pictures) throughout the whole time. I am wonder if it’s something I’m doing that’s not allowing them to “expand” their tentacles fully. I have a 120g tank with 2 hydra 26 lights. Did a 10g water change last night and my parameters today were:
Calcium-360
Phosphate-0.08-0.12
Alk-6(DKH)
Nitrites are at 0
ammonia is at .01 I’d say
My nitrates are prettt high sitting at 10-20(Red Sea kit) looks more towards the 20 side so maybe 18
And my PH is sitting at 8.2
If you need more information please ask.

Does your city treat the water with chloramines?

 

[Bbfishb81]

Calcium and alkalinity are little low, but ive seen worse. Calcium 450-500, and alkalinity 8-10 dkh. May also not be happy where it is. If you haven't tried moving it, maybe look into that as well. Give it at least a week between moves to see if it changes appearance.

 

[Matt56]

Does your city treat the water with chloramines?

Yes I’m pretty sure they do, I make sure I have 0 tds on my ro water and run a small bag of carbon in the tank also.

 

[Matt56]

Calcium and alkalinity are little low, but ive seen worse. Calcium 450-500, and alkalinity 8-10 dkh. May also not be happy where it is. If you haven't tried moving it, maybe look into that as well. Give it at least a week between moves to see if it changes appearance.

I have moved them both I don’t know if you can tell but the torch has suffered from polyp bailout about a month ago. I don’t know where to put them that’s the problem anywhere I put them looks like too much flow.

 

[Thespammailaccount]

Yes I’m pretty sure they do, I make sure I have 0 tds on my ro water and run a small bag of carbon in the tank also.

Zero TDS and carbon in a bag does not mean that there is not chloramines in your tank I know first hand had the same issue in my fist tank the 10 gallon. The reason why I ask is your tank is reading ammonia yet the tank is six months

 

[Matt56]

Zero TDS and carbon in a bag does not mean that there is not chloramines in your tank I know first hand had the same issue in my fist tank the 10 gallon. The reason why I ask is your tank is reading ammonia yet the tank is six months

I did feed a lot today because I just got a purple tang 2 days ago, and was cleaning sump so things got disturbed. The tank is about 9 months old.

 

[Matt56]

Zero TDS and carbon in a bag does not mean that there is not chloramines in your tank I know first hand had the same issue in my fist tank the 10 gallon. The reason why I ask is your tank is reading ammonia yet the tank is six months

 

[Thespammailaccount]

Looks ok but could look better

 

[Mical]

+1 on Cal & Alk low.

 

[Matt56]

Looks ok but could look better

So what would you recommend. Should I try and move them onto a rock and see if they want more lighting? The torch did its best in higher flow but then it was bailing out Because of flow. Best way to raise calcium, Dose or do water changes?

 

[Thespammailaccount]

So what would you recommend. Should I try and move them onto a rock and see if they want more lighting? The torch did its best in higher flow but then it was bailing out Because of flow. Best way to raise calcium, Dose or do water changes?

My tank is 24in deep with a hydra 26 and I keep mine around mid to high range in the tank. Yes they like flow but not to the point to where they are only moving in one direction. You can do water changes or dose your alk is low too but dose equal parts of alk and cal. Water changes are good for replenishing trace elements but you can does those as well. Test your product water for chloramines. I am in Houston tx and chloramines are extremely high was burning through filters at lighting speed. It is far more cheaper for me to buy distilled water. My tank is 70 gallons and has 70 gallons of distilled water. Your chloramines are probably not as high my ammonia would read 2ppm from my product water on a 7 stage RODI with triple di

 

[Matt56]

My tank is 24in deep with a hydra 26 and I keep mine around mid to high range in the tank. Yes they like flow but not to the point to where they are only moving in one direction. You can do water changes or dose your alk is low too but dose equal parts of alk and cal. Water changes are good for replenishing trace elements but you can does those as well. Test your product water for chloramines. I am in Houston tx and chloramines are extremely high was burning through filters at lighting speed. It is far more cheaper for me to buy distilled water. My tank is 70 gallons and has 70 gallons of distilled water. Your chloramines are probably not as high my ammonia would read 2ppm from my product water on a 7 stage RODI with triple di

I have a red sea reefer 425xl so 22 inches in depth with 2 hydra 26 HD’s I will be able to show you my lightning schedule tomorrow for a few tweaks I may need and I will move both corals onto a rock probably and see how it goes and I will keep you updated.

 

[Thespammailaccount]

I have a red sea reefer 425xl so 22 inches in depth with 2 hydra 26 HD’s I will be able to show you my lightning schedule tomorrow for a few tweaks I may need and I will move both corals onto a rock probably and see how it goes and I will keep you updated.

New to reefing only 6 months experience. Lighting schedule I have no clue. Why I went with the waterbox and ai lighting. I downloaded the following lighting scheduled from waterbox => blueprints => 70.2 => download. Will work for your tank only 2in difference in height

Saltwater Aquariums

www.waterboxaquariums.com

 

[Thespammailaccount]

If there is a large difference in lighting intensity you can reduce the new schedule. Effects => accumulation. If needed reduce by a given percentage and decrease it a percent or so every couple of days till you are close to the preset intensity

 

[Matt56]

If there is a large difference in lighting intensity you can reduce the new schedule. Effects => accumulation. If needed reduce by a given percentage and decrease it a percent or so every couple of days till you are close to the preset intensity

Mine are being run at around 80% so it won’t be much of a difference. I’m just skeptical about the high % of UVmany people say to keep it low.

 

[Matt56]

New to reefing only 6 months experience. Lighting schedule I have no clue. Why I went with the waterbox and ai lighting. I downloaded the following lighting scheduled from waterbox => blueprints => 70.2 => download. Will work for your tank only 2in difference in height

Saltwater Aquariums

www.waterboxaquariums.com

6 months but you’re doing something right to have all that growth. Tank looks really nice

 

[Thespammailaccount]

Mine are being run at around 80% so it won’t be much of a difference. I’m just skeptical about the high % of UVmany people say to keep it low.

You can edit the lighting schedule. I did not know many people say to keep uv lower now I am curious as to why and if I should adjust mine

 

[Matt56]

You can edit the lighting schedule. I did not know many people say to keep uv lower now I am curious as to why and if I should adjust mine

I have been told it possibly bleaches them out and also increases algae but don’t quote me.

 

[Thespammailaccount]

6 months but you’re doing something right to have all that growth. Tank looks really nice

Thank you took a little bit had the same problem with my corals at first my first few corals looked similar to yours and did about the same