I am very new to this hobby and have probably a stupid question but I can only learn by asking. My tank is 75 gallon with mature live rock protein skimmer and all the lighting I think I need. At my first meeting I attended last month, I was given some frags that are growing and doing nicely. I have started adding to the farm. I have a piece of Fluorescent green leather coral who in the last week had almost doubled his size. Then I have a Sun Coral and Lobo Coral that are existing but not opening up hardly at all. The only time the Sun Coral has extended completely is at it's first feeding and after the halides go off. I have tried different spots in the tank, doesn't seem to make a difference. I'm running my lights 10 hours a day, 4 actinic for the full 10 hours and the halides for 4 hours a day. My calcium level is about 450. Any suggestions . I have moved the Sun Coral under a ledge to provide shade during high light times. Thanks in advance. Look forward to the meeting this weekend. Jerry
Every Sun Coral I've ever seen only opened when it was feeding. Not sure what could be bothering the Lobo. Mine has grown in the size of the polyps but hasn't added a single one in the months I've had it. During that time some SPS (monti) has grown 10x it's starting size. Hopefuly they will settle in, just keep your parameters stable.
The sun coral does not need light there nonphotosentetic and can be put in the shadows and u might run ur halides a bit longer i run my 3 for 12 hrs a day that might help with the lobo. Do u check ur ph , or alkalinity those might be to low or to high ur calcium is at a good number
I would also recommend checking your Magnesium/Stronium levels. Maintaining solid calcium and alkalinity levels are very important(I recommend using dosers to ensure levels stay consistent), but I experienced an explosion in coral growth once I began to pay attention to and maintain my magnesium levels. Hope they perk up for you!!
thanks Reefer. I am happy to report everything in the tank is doing well. A few species have doubled in size. I am monitoring the PH and the alkalinity. I have to admit I find it difficult to do the alkalinity test. Probably just because I have not done it that many times. I have found that my tank seems to want to run at a PH of about 8. Last week I bought Balance which brought it up to a level of 8.2 and it seems to stay there. I have never checked Magnesium/Stronium levels. I did two weeks ago switch over to a mid priced LED setup. I don't know if its my imagination or a combination of several factors but overall health of the tank in appearance has greatly improved. Everybody looks happy except the Lobo. He IS just existing or so it looks. The only time I see any orange on him is when the blue lights are on. In white light he is just brown and his center is not a brilliant green at anytime. I've tried different locations in the tank and none seem to make a difference. I can tell though when I feed he seems to perk up, so I think he is getting nourishment. Thanks for the reply and advice.
