Goni Problems

[ParticleMan]

So my goni just can't seem to be happy. It hasn't been extended the past couple weeks. I've moved it to a lower more central place and re-directed some flow towards it a couple days and I'm not sure but maybe it's recovering. There is no brown jelly, just stained skeleton a bit of hair algae I'm concerned about scrubbing off. Can anyone provide any incite? It really isn't near anything that could sting it (I see no sweepers or stinger at night from other corals) so I am at a loss what to do. I feed the tank benereef a couple times a week. I've got a doser system that is appearing to keep everyting within accetable limits. Here are the latest water parameters and some pictures. Can anyone help?

03/19/26
ALk: 7.8
pHos: .19
PH: 8.4
Nitrate: 11.8
MAG: 1280
CALC: 425
Salinity: 1.026
Nitrite: 0
Ammonia: 0

 

[Skippy The Meh]

Try bringing PO4 down to .1 or under and bump Mg up to say 1350-1450. Mine thrive in that range. Mg is a key factor to success with goni’s.

 

[winxp_man]

Goni’s are also in need of element dosing. Manganese is a must to be successful with goni’s. Do a ICP test with your current DT.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

How is the flow in that spot? I find flow to be a major factor for goni

 

[Marine Betta]

So my goni just can't seem to be happy. It hasn't been extended the past couple weeks. I've moved it to a lower more central place and re-directed some flow towards it a couple days and I'm not sure but maybe it's recovering. There is no brown jelly, just stained skeleton a bit of hair algae I'm concerned about scrubbing off. Can anyone provide any incite? It really isn't near anything that could sting it (I see no sweepers or stinger at night from other corals) so I am at a loss what to do. I feed the tank benereef a couple times a week. I've got a doser system that is appearing to keep everyting within accetable limits. Here are the latest water parameters and some pictures. Can anyone help?

03/19/26
ALk: 7.8
pHos: .19
PH: 8.4
Nitrate: 11.8
MAG: 1280
CALC: 425
Salinity: 1.026
Nitrite: 0
Ammonia: 0

+1 on everyone’s suggestions.

How long have you had it?
Whenever a Goni won’t open, it’s often one of three things. Either iron and/or manganese is low, not enough flow, and/or it’s hungry.

The suggested ICP test will determine your trace element levels. Gonis love flow. I’m not sure where the idea that they need low flow came from, but that has not been true for me. I keep mine in the general area where I acclimate my new SPS to give you an idea on the amount of flow mine gets. Besides dosing amino acids, I target feed mine with goniopower and reef roids 2-3 times a week

 

[winxp_man]

+1 on everyone’s suggestions.

How long have you had it?
Whenever a Goni won’t open, it’s often one of three things. Either iron and/or manganese is low, not enough flow, and/or it’s hungry.

The suggested ICP test will determine your trace element levels. Gonis love flow. I’m not sure where the idea that they need low flow came from, but that has not been true for me. I keep mine in the general area where I acclimate my new SPS to give you an idea on the amount of flow mine gets. Besides dosing amino acids, I target feed mine with goniopower and reef roids 2-3 times a week

Saw some reef videos with goni’s and torches. In the wild that is. The amount of current was insane! I have not seen such flow in many tanks! Yet these corals were in there and thriving! So yes we under estimate what works many times.

 

[ParticleMan]

Ok, I've never done an ICP? Insane Clown Posse :) I'll check in ATI and see what is involved. I am suprised to hear about the flow relating to Goni's. I though it was supposed to be mild. That said I'll aim my power head more towards the goni and see what happens. Other than ICP, are tests kits that test for Iron and Manganese.

 

[Marine Betta]

Ok, I've never done an ICP? Insane Clown Posse :) I'll check in ATI and see what is involved. I am suprised to hear about the flow relating to Goni's. I though it was supposed to be mild. That said I'll aim my power head more towards the goni and see what happens. Other than ICP, are tests kits that test for Iron and Manganese.

Haha it stands for inductively coupled plasma test….but no one wants to say all of that. Depending on the test you get, you could get results for nearly 100 trace elements. They’re good to do if you have a mass die off of coral and can’t pinpoint the cause otherwise. I typically order one once a month.

Yeah, so many people think that because a lot of vendors recommend low to moderate flow. I know someone who specializes in growing, fragging, and selling gonis, and he puts them right in front of his gyre.

Unfortunately, the only way to test for trace elements like iron and manganese is with an ICP test. A lot of these trace elements have a lot of importance in biological functions. If you keep acros, some trace elements are needed if you want to bring out those crazy colors in the high end acros.

 

[ParticleMan]

I'll run the test. I also just ordered some Brightwell Aquatics Rēplenish in the event the tests come back like i should dose these elements.

 

[mmorrison55]

My Goni just closed up. I think it’s dead. But hoping it’s just from doing tank maintenance and dosing coral snow.

But tbh, I had not looked at it in a few days, so I can’t say for sure when it completely closed.

It was my 1st attempt at a Goni. If it has died, and If I decide to try again, I will be sure to dose the iron and manganese as mentioned.

I also watched a recent video where they said they needed to be target fed. i had not done that either, but I feed heavy I my tank. Auto feeder runs for a minute 5 times a day with reef jerky, and I generally will feed a cube or two a day of hikari, LRS or other equivalent frozen, so I would think it would be getting food in the water column. Idk… I guess there’s a reason they say they are more advanced

 

[Science/G]

My Goni just closed up. I think it’s dead. But hoping it’s just from doing tank maintenance and dosing coral snow.

But tbh, I had not looked at it in a few days, so I can’t say for sure when it completely closed.

It was my 1st attempt at a Goni. If it has died, and If I decide to try again, I will be sure to dose the iron and manganese as mentioned.

I also watched a recent video where they said they needed to be target fed. i had not done that either, but I feed heavy I my tank. Auto feeder runs for a minute 5 times a day with reef jerky, and I generally will feed a cube or two a day of hikari, LRS or other equivalent frozen, so I would think it would be getting food in the water column. Idk… I guess there’s a reason they say they are more advanced

Nah, I have multiple Goniopora for four + years now and have never target feed them. Both have quadrupled in size.

 

[Uncle99]

Give it two weeks with no change.
Then assess.

 

[wasabi bean]

See i am always worried about goniopora as they seem tk be quite difficult. Do you think i should give them a go if my torch is growing really well as well as all of my other lps and softies?