values look acceptable, but corals do not seem happy(?)

[Icryhard]

I look at my aquarium and often test to ensure I can find the right balance between everything, but lately my corals seem to be less happy overall. Maybe I am making it up in my head or something, but I'd love to have some insight from you guys.

To start off with my values:
salinity: 1025
calcium: 420
magnesium: 1365
alk: 8
nitrate: +/- 12
phosphate: hovers between 0,01 and 0,05
Light: 3 Hydra AI HD (26) -> Saxby light schedule (https://www.aquaillumination.com/signature_series/david-saxby)

I've noticed some corals look shrunken, so I took a couple of pictures of the corals, the light I use, the moment I took the picture (light settings at that given moment as well). I am honestly wondering whether it's in my head, or that my corals are actually "not happy". I took a couple of pictures of my torch, because I noticed this one seemed smaller than usual as well. I tried taking a picture of its flesh as well, maybe that would give some insight. Am I tripping or is there indeed something off?

 

[HankstankXXL750 Verified Sponsor]

How often are you changing water? I ask as when I go too long even if my numbers are good I seem to have lackluster coral action. Like they need something from the salt that is t in two part. I’m sure several things, but I really never got an answer when I asked what to dose if going without water changes.

 

[Icryhard]

How often are you changing water? I ask as when I go too long even if my numbers are good I seem to have lackluster coral action. Like they need something from the salt that is t in two part. I’m sure several things, but I really never got an answer when I asked what to dose if going without water changes.

Interesting. I do not do water changes. I merely top it off with new fresh RODI water. How often do you do a water change and how many %? Could it by any chance be trace elements or something?

 

[vetteguy53081]

I look at my aquarium and often test to ensure I can find the right balance between everything, but lately my corals seem to be less happy overall. Maybe I am making it up in my head or something, but I'd love to have some insight from you guys.

To start off with my values:
salinity: 1025
calcium: 420
magnesium: 1365
alk: 8
nitrate: +/- 12
phosphate: hovers between 0,01 and 0,05
Light: 3 Hydra AI HD (26) -> Saxby light schedule (https://www.aquaillumination.com/signature_series/david-saxby)

I've noticed some corals look shrunken, so I took a couple of pictures of the corals, the light I use, the moment I took the picture (light settings at that given moment as well). I am honestly wondering whether it's in my head, or that my corals are actually "not happy". I took a couple of pictures of my torch, because I noticed this one seemed smaller than usual as well. I tried taking a picture of its flesh as well, maybe that would give some insight. Am I tripping or is there indeed something off?

Corals dont look bad or all. Elevate Phos a little so it doesnt bottom out ( feeding alone will Accomplish this as well as stretching out water changes)
Assure moderate to med light and water flow. My suspicion is more light based on pics may be needed

 

[Icryhard]

Corals dont look bad or all. Elevate Phos a little so it doesnt bottom out ( feeding alone will Accomplish this as well as stretching out water changes)
Assure moderate to med light and water flow. My suspicion is more light based on pics may be needed

To what would you recommend me elevating it and dabber between? If required more light, what light schedule would you recommend to me, if I may ask.

on a sidenote: Thanks for always roaming the forums and helping out.

 

[HankstankXXL750 Verified Sponsor]

Interesting. I do not do water changes. I merely top it off with new fresh RODI water. How often do you do a water change and how many %? Could it by any chance be trace elements or something?

A lot of people quote 10-20% water changes weekly or biweekly. I don’t know my percentage per se as I have a fill point on a brute can so my tanks get increments of 40 gallons. 75 gallon gets 40 110 gets 40 210 gets 40 if things good if nutrients high I might go 80 gallons but that’s in my predator mixed tanks where I have hardy corals like leathers and GSP.
I agree it is the trace elements just don’t know who makes a good all in one so I just do the water changes.
As @vetteguy53081 says they don’t look bad, but you probably know if they look different.

 

[homer1475]

Hard to tell anything with all the blue. Try taking better pictures in whiter lighting.

From what I can see, they look to be fine.

Are you using alkalinity and calcium? That would be my first indication of them not being happy. No consumption of major elements means they are not growing and not happy.

 

[Dburr1014]

Po4 0.05~0.12

 

[Icryhard]

Hard to tell anything with all the blue. Try taking better pictures in whiter lighting.

From what I can see, they look to be fine.

Are you using alkalinity and calcium? That would be my first indication of them not being happy. No consumption of major elements means they are not growing and not happy.

It does consume alk (it lowers 1 per 7 days roughly) and it does seem to consume calcium (don't know how much exactly since I don't have many stony corals...). I'll talke a couple of pictures tomorrow when it's mostly lightish.

 

[vetteguy53081]

A lot of people quote 10-20% water changes weekly or biweekly. I don’t know my percentage per se as I have a fill point on a brute can so my tanks get increments of 40 gallons. 75 gallon gets 40 110 gets 40 210 gets 40 if things good if nutrients high I might go 80 gallons but that’s in my predator mixed tanks where I have hardy corals like leathers and GSP.
I agree it is the trace elements just don’t know who makes a good all in one so I just do the water changes.
As @vetteguy53081 says they don’t look bad, but you probably know if they look different.

To what would you recommend me elevating it and dabber between? If required more light, what light schedule would you recommend to me, if I may ask.

on a sidenote: Thanks for always roaming the forums and helping out.

What light are you using ?

 

[HankstankXXL750 Verified Sponsor]

What light are you using ?

On my Red Sea S1000 I’m running 3 hydra 64’s. My assertion that a water change helps my corals and maybe it’s the trace elements is anecdotal. I see improvement, but could it be just removing the build up of toxins from softies etc. maybe.

 

[vetteguy53081]

On my Red Sea S1000 I’m running 3 hydra 64’s. My assertion that a water change helps my corals and maybe it’s the trace elements is anecdotal. I see improvement, but could it be just removing the build up of toxins from softies etc. maybe.

Try this:

White: 24%
blue: 75
purple: 65
UV: 80
red: 5
Green: 4

 

[Icryhard]

What light are you using ?

I use three AI Hydra 26 HD with david saxby his lighting schedule. My OP also refers to (link) the lighting schedule.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I use three AI Hydra 26 HD with david saxby his lighting schedule. My OP also refers to (link) the lighting schedule.

Increase whites 7% or Consider this:


White: 24%
blue: 75
purple: 65
UV: 80
red: 5
Green: 4

 

[Icryhard]

Increase whites 7% or Consider this:


White: 24%
blue: 75
purple: 65
UV: 80
red: 5
Green: 4

I think I found the problem (pretty sure this is the problem):
All my corals seemed shrunk to bits and pieces and when I accidentally touched the water I noticed it was cold. Looking at the external measurement tool I noticed it had dropped to 22 degrees and the heater had shut off for whatever reason. I have thrown in 2 internal heaters now to heat up the water again, but I am curious as to how much damage this drop could've done. Could the possible damage be repairable, or did the corals merely shrink up due to the cold water? On a sidenote: I'll try your lighting too, but I'll resolve this problem first.

 

[thelonereefer1]

I’ve had a similar issue before actually with both. One tank I forgot to turn the heater back on a took a full day before I figured out why everything was closed up and drab looking. How old is your setup?

 

[doubleshot00]

A 22 degree temp drop is a lot. If you can bring it back up slowly you should be ok with minimal loss.

I guess the question and to figure out is how did this happen and maybe figure out some redundancy next time.

I keep a cheap sticker temp guide on the side so I can quickly glance and my tanks temp. Then look at my apex and inkbird for exact. Then when in doubt I bought a Hanna thermometer.

Redundancy in this hobby is the key for long term success imo.

 

[C4ctus99]

I think I found the problem (pretty sure this is the problem):
All my corals seemed shrunk to bits and pieces and when I accidentally touched the water I noticed it was cold. Looking at the external measurement tool I noticed it had dropped to 22 degrees and the heater had shut off for whatever reason. I have thrown in 2 internal heaters now to heat up the water again, but I am curious as to how much damage this drop could've done. Could the possible damage be repairable, or did the corals merely shrink up due to the cold water? On a sidenote: I'll try your lighting too, but I'll resolve this problem first.

I’m assuming you mean 22C? Cause 22F would be one heck of a problem

For us Americans, what’s the normal operating temperature in Celsius?

 

[doubleshot00]

I’m assuming you mean 22C? Cause 22F would be one heck of a problem

For us Americans, what’s the normal operating temperature in Celsius?

71 degrees. I had to google it

 

[vetteguy53081]

I think I found the problem (pretty sure this is the problem):
All my corals seemed shrunk to bits and pieces and when I accidentally touched the water I noticed it was cold. Looking at the external measurement tool I noticed it had dropped to 22 degrees and the heater had shut off for whatever reason. I have thrown in 2 internal heaters now to heat up the water again, but I am curious as to how much damage this drop could've done. Could the possible damage be repairable, or did the corals merely shrink up due to the cold water? On a sidenote: I'll try your lighting too, but I'll resolve this problem first.

That'll do it
you need 25-26C