Do I Need To Add A Supplement ?

[jbrock183]

I have a gonipora, Palythoa, Bubble Tip Anenomae, Dunkin’, and a Xenia. My LFS told me I do not need to add any type of supplement but I’m having a hard time believing that. What are your thoughts and suggestions?

 

[ninjamyst]

How often are doing water changes?

How old is your tank?

How big is your tank?

What fish do you have?

Whats your nitrate and phosphate level?

 

[UMALUM]

I would say they're correct especially if your doing water changes.

 

[Mschmidt]

probably not, but only testing your chemistry will tell.

 

[jbrock183]

How often are doing water changes?

How old is your tank?

How big is your tank?

What fish do you have?

Whats your nitrate and phosphate level?

I do a 10% water change weekly.

I have a 9 gallon Fluval Flex tank that was already on display and cycled for months at my LFS. They gave me the seeded filter and water and I’ve had it 3 weeks. So it has been adequately cycled.

I have 2 skunk clownfish.

My nitrate level is about 4 ppm. My phosphate level is zero

 

[ninjamyst]

You probably just need to feed your fish more to get your nitrate and phosphate up

 

[FUNGI]

Or do 10% WC once a month

 

[KrisReef]

Can you post a picture of your goniopora? That's the only think that might want help.

 

[jbrock183]

Sure!

 

[jbrock183]

Can you post a picture of your goniopora? That's the only think that might want help.

I posted a picture. What are your thoughts? He doesn’t seem as bright as he used to be.

 

[Tahoe61]

What type of lighting? If the stock lighting you're probably going to have to upgrade if you want the best coloration and growth from LPS such as Goniopora and Euphyllia.

 

[jbrock183]

What type of lighting? If the stock lighting you're probably going to have to upgrade if you want the best coloration and growth from LPS such as Goniopora and Euphyllia.

It’s the fluval all in one system. I don’t have space to upgrade the lighting.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I would get an alkalinity test and see where you are.

 

[KrisReef]

Way back in the early days of reefing the goniopora were one of the corals that were known to not live long in captivity. They need to be fed and they seem to thrive if they are fed with foods like Goniopower, which is mostly freeze dried plankton that they catch as it drifts in the water column. I think they also need manganese (if I remember correctly?) and regular water changes should help with that requirement. I also think folks recommend having Miracle Mud in the system for trace mineral replenishment, and modern reef keepers have been able to get gonioporas to thrive with care to provide good water quality and feeding and reasonable amounts of light and water movement.

All that said, they can be challenging to get adjusted to a captive environment but modern reef keeping practices have proven to work for many of these.

Changing colors in corals is not uncommon and one of the challenges for reefers who want a certain color present but the coral often change appearance to maximize their ability to grow in the place where they are with the parameters they are given.

Keep the parameters stable and in a year or two you may one day see the coral has settled in with the ecosystem it is surrounded by and the growth and color development may be better than what you brought home. Its a long term project but if you are persistent in husbandry your goniopora and it’s tank mates will reward you with an awesome display that is unique and thriving and amazingly beautiful.

Good fortune for you and your reef in 2025.

 

[ScottJ]

I do a 10% water change weekly.

I have a 9 gallon Fluval Flex tank that was already on display and cycled for months at my LFS. They gave me the seeded filter and water and I’ve had it 3 weeks. So it has been adequately cycled.

I have 2 skunk clownfish.

My nitrate level is about 4 ppm. My phosphate level is zero

I could be wrong, and i apologize in advance if I am. But isn't a 9 gallon AIO tank is a tad small for 2 clowns long term?

 

[Waters]

Based on your current numbers, not only would I not supplement but you might want to think about increasing the amount of time in between water changes (or changing less water each week). That is of course if your ALK and Ca are holding steady.