old reefer /new forum /new troubles

[discusdean]

Will do very slow but would you expect low light to cause xenia to stay closed

 

[jsker]

Welcome To R2R, I agree with @dbl one Hydra 52 is not enough.
I run 2 hydra 26 Hd's on my 48"L x 18 w x 21 D system and my coral growth really took off and with also changing my chemistry products that I am using. My old LED just did not have the intensity to keep my corals growing or even living. You have a great light, just get another an you will see the difference in two weeks. My setting are below

 

[ksc]

The Hydra 52 is a very weak light, at only 90 watts @ 100%. It appears you are running it at only 50% and I'd doubt you are getting enough par in the center, let alone the sides of the tank. Here's some info on the par output:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2013/8/review

 

[JMacedo]

Despite our parameters differ I cannot see that you are very off in terms of parameters. No3 could be a little lower but I have ran tanks with higher No3 than that. Last time I tried DD H2Ocean, some 4 years ago it ended in the bin as it was not approved by my corals but I heard it has improved since then.

Make sure you keep everything stable, if you skim wet, make sure you are not replacing the collected skimmate with just RO/DI water from the ATO that will impact all your parameters ( sorry, I am a freak about stability) time to time test for K, it should be around 400/410 for a salinity of 35ppt.

If you try to keep your Alk low, do not make water changes using a salt with a much higher Alk. Try to keep your parameters stable Ca 400-450? Mg 1460 -1520? Why such variation?

It is so hard to comment on other people tanks, I am always afraid I could be off. The fact that you are here trying to find what is going on is very positive and I am sure you will get things right rather sooner than later.

 

[JMacedo]

The Hydra 52 is a very weak light, at only 90 watts @ 100%. It appears you are running it at only 50% and I'd doubt you are getting enough par in the center, let alone the sides of the tank. Here's some info on the par output:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2013/8/review

In that article they compare the much weaker and older Hydra version, not the much better Hydra52.

I ran the old Hydras for about a year, growing SPS without big problem but didn't like the disco effect and the fact of having to replace some of the LED's almost every single month due to overheating issues.

 

[JMacedo]

Will do very slow but would you expect low light to cause xenia to stay closed

Sorry, I am not trying to be mean. I never had Xenia, so I can't help about its reaction to increased light, having a mixed reef like yours is way more complicate than having a SPS tank. I hope I will never have xenia in my tank... it is like the plague! lol

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Will do very slow but would you expect low light to cause xenia to stay closed

yes its photosynthetic

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Sorry, I am not trying to be mean. I never had Xenia, so I can't help about its reaction to increased light, having a mixed reef like yours is way more complicate than having a SPS tank. I hope I will never have xenia in my tank... it is like the plague! lol

I have xenia at the same level in my tank as acro and other SPS. around 500+ par. High exess nutrient and low flow yae they can get out of control. CLove polyps will do the same. Pretty easy to control,

 

[discusdean]

Cheers for the replies think increased stability and higher light intesity is the way forward .