Cannot grow GSP....WHY??

[Joshua Jordan]

I have a most unusual issue; I have NEVER been able to grow GSP (green star polyps) in my all lps/softie tank. I am able to grow torches, kenya tree, zoas and and anemones just fine. I have a 32 gallon biocube with a Kessil A360WE. Here are my most recent parameters tested with a Red Sea Foundation test kit and an API Master Test kit.

Temp: 79.5
Salinity: 1.025
pH: 8.5
Amonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
Alkalinity: 8.7 dKh
Calcium: 320
Magnesium: 1860

Equipment: I use an Eshopps PSK-75H Protein SKimmer (rated for up to 75g), Eheim heater, inTank media tower using one bag of Purigen and one bag of Chemipure Elite. I do a 5g water change every 10 days. I use a gyre for water movement Jebao SCP-70 on the lowest power setting using the slow ramp up to slow ramp down mode (sine wave)

Every time I have bought some GSP, it opens for just a few minutes after acclimation and then it is never to be seen again. I have tried putting it toward the tops of my rocks and I have also put it at the very bottom of my aquascape both directly on the substrate and on plugs. Every now and then I will se a tiny bit of a green speck but that is it.

Everything that I read says that GSP should be simple to grow. I just don't get it. Please help. Thank you so much.

 

[Miguel Negron]

Maybe to clean of a tank? My GSP likes some nutrients in the water.

 

[Gernader]

GSP generally likes dirty water, so you should increase your nitrates

 

[Wes10C]

Your magnesium & calcium are out of wack

 

[Paleozoic_reefer]

Yup...your nitrates are too low. I actually have to dose nitrates for my tank, and I trim my GSP every couple of months...

 

[Triple.T]

Calcium to low. Shoot for 420-450. Also you need nitrates in the water.

 

[Hermie]

I'd just recommend patience, I have two gsp species in my tank and one of them is open a lot more often than the other, and both of them close up sometimes for extended periods.

 

[BPCGuy]

I also have a 32g biocube with stock LED lights. Have a couple strains of GSP going strong.
Early on I gave up on skimmer. Maybe try running it less often, or not at all? That should raise nitrates a little.

 

[Triple.T]

I also have a 32g biocube with stock LED lights. Have a couple strains of GSP going strong.
Early on I gave up on skimmer. Maybe try running it less often, or not at all? That should raise nitrates a little.

I'd start off with a 20-30% water change wait an hour then test your parameters again. Your calcium and magnesium are off quite a bit.

Ideally try to get mag around 1260-1350, calcium between 420-450 and I think that will help a lot. For Nitrates, I personally am between 5-10ppm and that works for me. Hope this helps.