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So I added an Aussie Elegance Coral to my tank a week ago now that I purchased from Austin Aqua Farms. On the first day I'd say it opened about 75% of the way. However, ever since I haven't seen it open any more than say 20%, and close entirely into its skeleton at night.
I have it placed on the sand bed out of the reach of touching any of my rock. I didn't think it was getting too much flow, but I experimented with it anyway by lowering the flow of my Gyres down to just 20% (from 60%). There is also a 'rock wall' nearby that protects it from much flow. So I don't think flow is the issue. It just have a very slight back and forth wave to it (when it's actually out).
I doubt the light is the issue as its at the bottom of the tank. But I'm experimenting with that right now by shading that spot of the tank today. We'll see what it looks like when I get home. But I have 2x AP700 each running at 50% at the moment.
Anyways, I'm starting to wonder if the issue is something with my water parameters, more precisely nitrate levels. My tank is 6 months old now and contains a good selection of fishes (14 in all), that I feed liberally 3x a day. I also add Reef Chili every night. And still I have never seen a trace of nitrate in my system. I tested it just last night again with the NYOS testing kit and absolutely 0 nitrates in the water. API Nitrate test also confirms this. I am running a skimmer and a refugium. So, I'm thinking that maybe my filtration is being too good?
I'd love others thoughts and suggestions. If you think it could be the low nitrate as the issue, anyone have recommendations for raising it to a level the elegance may enjoy better? My other parameters are 450 Calcium, 1300 Mag, and 8 Alk.
I have it placed on the sand bed out of the reach of touching any of my rock. I didn't think it was getting too much flow, but I experimented with it anyway by lowering the flow of my Gyres down to just 20% (from 60%). There is also a 'rock wall' nearby that protects it from much flow. So I don't think flow is the issue. It just have a very slight back and forth wave to it (when it's actually out).
I doubt the light is the issue as its at the bottom of the tank. But I'm experimenting with that right now by shading that spot of the tank today. We'll see what it looks like when I get home. But I have 2x AP700 each running at 50% at the moment.
Anyways, I'm starting to wonder if the issue is something with my water parameters, more precisely nitrate levels. My tank is 6 months old now and contains a good selection of fishes (14 in all), that I feed liberally 3x a day. I also add Reef Chili every night. And still I have never seen a trace of nitrate in my system. I tested it just last night again with the NYOS testing kit and absolutely 0 nitrates in the water. API Nitrate test also confirms this. I am running a skimmer and a refugium. So, I'm thinking that maybe my filtration is being too good?
I'd love others thoughts and suggestions. If you think it could be the low nitrate as the issue, anyone have recommendations for raising it to a level the elegance may enjoy better? My other parameters are 450 Calcium, 1300 Mag, and 8 Alk.