Why can’t I grow Kenya Tree

[Tristan]

I had two previous tanks: a 10gallon with an incandescent bulb and a 25 gallon with a black box LED; and my Kenya tree grew like weeds. Fast forward now to my current tank that has a Kessil A360we over it, the Kenya tree looks more shriveled up and leathery rather than being extremely plump and expanding out.

All my parameters are basically the same. Could it be possible that the Kenya Tree enjoys the more red, green, and yellow spectrum that the other lights give off?

It can’t be PAR either since I’m the 10 gallon, that little incandescent was probably around 100 par and the black box was near 300-400 on the settings I had.

It just perplexes me.

 

[Biglew11]

What are your parameters? Nitrate phosphate.

 

[Tristan]

What are your parameters? Nitrate phosphate.

pH: 8.2
Nitrate: 10
Phosphate: 0.04
Salinity: 1.024
Calcium: 420
dKH: 10
Mag: 1350

 

[Biglew11]

What kind of par numbers do you have with the A360we?

 

[Tristan]

What kind of par numbers do you have with the A360we?

It’s around 160 where the Kenya tree is. Near the top it gets up to 230 and on the sandbed, about 80-100.

 

[MixedFruitBasket]

I have found Kenya trees seem to do better under 10K light, but that's just my experience. A simple 10K light and an actinic has been all they need. Try running the kessels on 100% whites at about 50% strength.

 

[Tristan]

I have found Kenya trees seem to do better under 10K light, but that's just my experience. A simple 10K light and an actinic has been all they need. Try running the kessels on 100% whites at about 50% strength.

I’ll try that. It makes sense since the only difference I’ve had is less of that green, yellow, and red spectrum

 

[DanConnor]

Are there other corals doing well?

 

[AlexG]

I would second the question on how the other corals in the tank are doing? What other corals are in the tank? Its possible there might be chemical warfare taking place or active stinging from sweepers from other corals.

 

[Tristan]

Are there other corals doing well?

Yea. All the other corals are doing great and growing

 

[Tristan]

I would second the question on how the other corals in the tank are doing? What other corals are in the tank? Its possible there might be chemical warfare taking place or active stinging from sweepers from other corals.

Every other coral is doing great and growing. The only corals next to the Kenya is some Xenia and blastos. There’s a favia that’s sort of close to it, but the stinger tentacles are too short. There’s a large echinopora too that’s nearish and even though the stinger tentacles are pretty long, it’s not close enough to sting it.

If there is some chemical warfare, I change my carbon out every week and wouldn’t expect there to be much.

Rest of the corals:
There’s two other chalice corals that aren’t echinopora
Hammer coral
2 gonis
Acans
Elegance
RBTA
Cyphastrea
Montipora
Maxima clam

 

[AlexG]

Every other coral is doing great and growing. The only corals next to the Kenya is some Xenia and blastos. There’s a favia that’s sort of close to it, but the stinger tentacles are too short. There’s a large echinopora too that’s nearish and even though the stinger tentacles are pretty long, it’s not close enough to sting it.

If there is some chemical warfare, I change my carbon out every week and wouldn’t expect there to be much.

Rest of the corals:
There’s two other chalice corals that aren’t echinopora
Hammer coral
2 gonis
Acans
Elegance
RBTA
Cyphastrea
Montipora
Maxima clam

I would watch the Favia at night time some of the tentacles they put out can be fairly long at night. If you are swapping out the carbon that often I would the suspect the chemical warfare should be under control. Do you have any pictures you can share?

 

[Tristan]

I would watch the Favia at night time some of the tentacles they put out can be fairly long at night. If you are swapping out the carbon that often I would the suspect the chemical warfare should be under control. Do you have any pictures you can share?

I’ve been too lazy to clean the glass;Yawn

 

[jeffchapok]

How long has it been that way? You know they shed just like any other leather coral. Mine will sometimes take three to four days before they finally plump back up again.

 

[Tristan]

How long has it been that way? You know they shed just like any other leather coral. Mine will sometimes take three to four days before they finally plump back up again.

It’s been this same size for a few months now(since I’ve had it in the tank). In comparison to the Xenia that was introduced at the same time, barely any growth. I’m just used to Kenya growing like a weed in my previous tanks.