SPS look healthy but lack white growth tips...

Dallascowboys16

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 18, 2020
Messages
62
Reaction score
111
Location
Littleton, CO
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
The title of this thread is pretty self explanatory. I have a handful of SPS in my 10 gallon reef which include Montipora Undata, Pocillopora sp., and Seriatopora Hystrix (birds nest). I have pretty good polyp extension and general health, color is ok (could be better), and growth seems to be boom or bust. I have noticed in the last few months my corals have been lacking the white growth tips they used to have even though my care routine is pretty much the same. Alkalinity hovers right at 7.8-8 almost every time I test, Calcium is in the 550+ range, magnesium is 1500, and I just got an ICP test back saying everything is pretty much ideal other than slightly low potassium and slightly high lithium (which according to pretty much everyone does not matter and is a common result in most tanks). Tank health overall seems pretty good right now with everything finally rebounding after a pretty bad tank crash around 6 months ago. Any advice on what could be causing the lack of growth tips? Thank you so much for any input and help. :)

(Also, I know calcium and magnesium are high but according to most sources this isn't a big deal? I use IO reef crystals so it drives the mag pretty high. Could also use come guidance there.)
 
Last edited:

Flippers4pups

Fins up since 1993
View Badges
Joined
Jun 21, 2016
Messages
18,499
Reaction score
60,637
Location
Lake Saint Louis, Mo
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Are you running a ATO on this tank? With a tank this size, stability is one of the biggest hurdles.
 

CCauthers

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 19, 2020
Messages
849
Reaction score
839
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
My first reaction is that the high ca and mg are inhibiting calcification. Are you seeing growth?
 
OP
OP
Dallascowboys16

Dallascowboys16

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 18, 2020
Messages
62
Reaction score
111
Location
Littleton, CO
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Are you running a ATO on this tank? With a tank this size, stability is one of the biggest hurdles.

I am running an ATO as well as automated 2 part dosing. Salinity and ALK/calcium seem to stay very stable according to my testing.

My first reaction is that the high ca and mg are inhibiting calcification. Are you seeing growth?

I didn't realize that is something that could result from high ca/mg. I have not had success growing coralline algae in this tank post-crash despite stable parameters and growth seems to have stalled out for a while now even though the corals appear healthy otherwise.
 

Creating a strong bulwark: Did you consider floor support for your reef tank?

  • I put a major focus on floor support.

    Votes: 53 42.7%
  • I put minimal focus on floor support.

    Votes: 25 20.2%
  • I put no focus on floor support.

    Votes: 42 33.9%
  • Other.

    Votes: 4 3.2%
Back
Top