Help with growing sps

[nickenayat]

Where are you placing them in the tank? Make sure they're receiving high amounts of flow, as well as light. You may want to dose/target feed with a product similar to 'phytoplex' or 'microvert' for all your sps and filter feeders... I dose phytoplex broadband in my tank twice per week

I generally spot feed my coral for the most part, then pour the remaining mixture in the tank. I use a mixture of Reef roids, coral frenzy, and Reef nutritions oyster feast.

With placement and flow, I placed it near high on the rock on the right side of the tank, just above the sunny d and it would seem to like it for a week then the rainbow monti would start to bleach. I then moved it behind the pink plays on the left and the same thing started to happen. I finally just put the coral on the substrate because I thought I was killing it.

I didn't think my lights were to bright because all the softies are thriving. Even the softies higher up (closer to the light). I also only have the lights max out intensity to 40% UV for roughly two hours and then the intensity ramps down.

Someone else suggested putting it even closer to the light, like next to the GSP.

 

[nickenayat]

Here are some more photos. It was night so everything is closed but you can get a better idea.

 

[Best Fish-Jake]

I would put it back towards the top of your tank and over the course of the next week, slowly increase your lighting intensity... you may also want to move your softies (especially your gsp) to a lower point in the tank. Make sure the Monty is receiving a fair amount of flow, and you should hopefully start having better luck soon

 

[Best Fish-Jake]

Regarding nitrates and phosphates, although you may not be able to see them on your test kits, it's impossible to have 0 nitrates and/or phosphates in an established reef. There is a constant replenishment of nutrients coming from your livestock. Don't sweat your nutrient levels as long as you're not reading ammonia/nitrite. Corals utilize a very tiny amount of nitrates and phosphates so it is very unlikely that this should be a cause for concern

 

[nickenayat]

Inside the algae scrubber

 

[Tooch]

I would try to slowly get those Mag, Ca, Alk, numbers up. Let your tank get a little "dirtier".

 

[Justdrew]

35 ppt or 1.027 is better.

 

[awais98]

API test kits are not useful for reef levels of nitrate and phosphates. Please get salifert, Red Sea or better yet Hanna handheld alk and phos checkers

 

[flyfisherman]

I cant see how that sps laying in sand bed is getting enough flow. He knows he can't grow with sand all around him.

Break a good piece off and glue to rocks. Next time you buy one, give it a week then snap it off and mount directly to rocks. Try some other cheap acros to see if they will grow. It may just be these kind that don't like your tank(common, happens to everybody).

I would put a jebao pump or other brand on the left side of tank. I can't imagine you have enough flow.

You have a lot of soft/lps in there-that makes things tougher, what sps like they don't. They don't grow on same parts of a reef all the time. Soft corals are probably consuming all the nutrients before your sps can get to them. Frag those softs out of there

 

[nickenayat]

I cant see how that sps laying in sand bed is getting enough flow. He knows he can't grow with sand all around him.

Break a good piece off and glue to rocks. Next time you buy one, give it a week then snap it off and mount directly to rocks. Try some other cheap acros to see if they will grow. It may just be these kind that don't like your tank(common, happens to everybody).

I would put a jebao pump or other brand on the left side of tank. I can't imagine you have enough flow.

You have a lot of soft/lps in there-that makes things tougher, what sps like they don't. They don't grow on same parts of a reef all the time. Soft corals are probably consuming all the nutrients before your sps can get to them. Frag those softs out of there

Thanks for the advice. I moved the sps near the top of the tank next to the GSP. Since then it's gotten more flow and seems to be happier. I had a jebao pump before I got the maxspect however that flow was insanely strong. I may add it back or try a different sps. I'll keep updating with my progress

 

[nickenayat]

API test kits are not useful for reef levels of nitrate and phosphates. Please get salifert, Red Sea or better yet Hanna handheld alk and phos checkers

Thank you. Salifert it is then lol

 

[zachtos]

I know that stability is important. Any sudden changes always retarded growth for several months until stable. I'm told that nowadays we need to be careful not to starve the tank of nutrients with a ATS. It's amazing now that we can now give too much flow, light or clean the water so well that the corals starve. Far from the case 10 years ago.