I don’t worry about no3/po4 in those tanks
Full transparency though, I get much better growth and color in my display with 10-25 no3 and 0.10-0.20 po4 than the other 2 tanks. I do almost zero testing in the others.
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What Is the Most Likely Reason for Poor SPS Coral Growth? My corals aren't growing... See Pictures
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Full transparency though, I get much better growth and color in my display with 10-25 no3 and 0.10-0.20 po4 than the other 2 tanks. I do almost zero testing in the others.
And there are many reefers, not just me, that start sps as soon as the cycle is over. I think most ppl struggle early because they’re trying to fight the ugly stages and keep sps at the same time. I don’t care about a little hair algae.
You didn’t use a skimmer either?
Hmm?
No clue then
Experience/Sability/Patience
I hate to say it, but IMO it’s not being stable enough.
The tank has got to be very stable across every facet.
The tank has got to be very stable across every facet.
Well said as I shoot for stability above all.
All the successfull reefers in my area have the same mentality as its stability that wins.
Stability over time, not just my tank is stable now, is critical, imo.
sgrosenb
Active Member
That makes sense. what do you think is unstable in my tank?
Based on your params, light and flow I think you are asking the M$ question. Aside from age I don't have the answer.
Queue @Chaswood79 for some clues. Gotta be more than just "elevated" nutrient.
Not sure.
Your parameters are very close to what I run and have run since startup 16 months ago.
You did mention that you took all the dead rock out and replaced with live around 8 months ago.
stephj03
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I know you've got par readings that check out, but I have to tell you 4x G4 XR15 on a 5x2 footprint with 4xt5 is lacking IMO.
I would do at least 4xXR30, maybe even more and the T5.
Beyond that, this is what the SPS game is. A bunch if waiting. You have small frags in a newer tank. That means you're gonna be waiting even longer.
I would anticipate 2yrs for the frags you have get big enough for their growth to be acceptably noticeable to you if the progress you showed in your 4mo comparison pics is not enough to you.hth
I would do at least 4xXR30, maybe even more and the T5.
Beyond that, this is what the SPS game is. A bunch if waiting. You have small frags in a newer tank. That means you're gonna be waiting even longer.
I would anticipate 2yrs for the frags you have get big enough for their growth to be acceptably noticeable to you if the progress you showed in your 4mo comparison pics is not enough to you.hth
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Hey all,
So I have a tank that has been up for about 2 years. I have about 30 SPS frags that are in the tank and have been for 6+ months. They are decently colorful, their polyp extension is fantastic, and by all accounts they seem happy. But they are not growing. They're not dying which is good... But for growth, I'm lucky if I get a few millimeters over many months. I have a few that have encrusted some of their frag plug but that is rare. Below are some pictures. I'm purposefully not posting my tank parameters yet (I will after a few responses) because what I'd really like to know is: what are the most likely reasons for lack of SPS growth? I have a feeling I am having testing errors on my parameters so I'm interested to know what the most likely reasons are for happy-looking corals but poor growth; maybe I can work from there. Thanks so much for your insights!
Pics of corals not growing (but looking happy by all accounts):
7/31/2020 RRC Marvin the Martian:
11/8/2020 RRC Marvin the Martian:
7/23/2020 SC Orange Passion
11/8/2020 SC Orange Passion:
7/31/2020 Strawberry Shortcake
11/8/2020 Strawberry Shortcake:
Flux Capacitor
Well-Known Member
Only thing I can think of is increase the flow more. Back when I first got my mp40s I thought 40-50 percent was a lot of flow. I had them on the side walls of the tank. Then I put them on the back glass and cranked them to 100 percent on tidal swell mode. It’s a lot more flow than before, my corals look happier, and I can see growth weekly. My suggestion Instead of it ramping from 30 - 80 percent, maybe do 50-100 see if that helps. I would crank them up as much as possible.
SliceGolfer
Well-Known Member
Some things I’ve noticed when SPS stall:
- Bare hands in the tank - oils and whatever else on our hands have slowed Alk consumption and growth. Try to wear full length gloves.
- Air fresheners or other airborne contamination - make sure nothing gets near or in the tank.
- Low/lower pH
- Lights too close to water surface, creating hot spots or poor spectrum blend and coverage
- shrimp, crabs, or algae irritating corals
- Placement
Yep exactly.
Example: I remember using IO reef crystals salt back in the day. It has a dKH that’s a lot higher than What I run my tank at. Back then I would have just mixed the salt and did a large water change.
Now...I mix it, match salinity exactly, drop the dKH with acid buffer to match the tank, let the pH regulate, match the temp, and then do a small water change.
Which method do you think had less impact on Acropora?
This is just one of a number of things that make a tank much more stable and help promote growth.
Another example would be leaving the LED controls alone.
I don’t have great growth across the board. I have some Tenuis that grow really fast, some with almost zero growth for 2 years and many in between that range. I do, however, believe my higher nutrients and no freak out attitude when it comes to no3/po4 contributes to my very low death rate. I’d rather have slow or even no growth than Stn/rtn.
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