No PE

[Daniel Z0112]

I’m heading Had these frags for 2 weeks. Not looking so great
20 gallon no sump
Lighting- Kessil160 70% + AI prime AB+
Alk - mid 6

I use 1/2 tsp per gallon Kalk in my RODI ATO reservoir. I mixed a 1 tsp per gallon bucket. I want to raise my alk a bit.
My questions is: Does this look like a problem caused by low alk or something else is wrong?

 

[29bonsaireef]

Where is N03/P04 at? Looks like more of lighting issue or a mixture of things, imo. As long as Alk is stable it's not a major factor. You just want nutrients, and lighting to be in-tune with your alkalinity. How old is the tank?

 

[homer1475]

I often wonder the same thing about PE. I have some great looking sticks and they are growing quite well, just no PE.

Even my green slimer who use to be a hairy beast has since lost PE after moving off the frag rack. It's colored up nicely, and grows like a weed, just no PE.

And I do know PE doesn't always mean healthy corals, I'm just trying to figure out why. My lights and nutrients are in perfect order(ATI 6 bulb T5, NO3 -4, PO4 - .04 to .02) so I know thats not an issue, and flow is plenty(2 mp10's, 2 pp8's and a gyre in an 80 cube).

 

[Daniel Z0112]

Where is N03/P04 at? Looks like more of lighting issue or a mixture of things, imo. As long as Alk is stable it's not a major factor. You just want nutrients, and lighting to be in-tune with your alkalinity. How old is the tank?

I only have API test kits. I can’t really have the exact values.
Po4-close to 0
NO3-closer to 5

Tank is 6 month old. Montis are growing well too.

For flow I have 2 hydro 565 gph aiming at each other with a hydro controller that alternate the pump every 5 seconds.
Should I not use the controller and let the pump be on all the time?