Coral growth issues..

[Abe]

I had the same issue for the longest time and then I bought a doser and things grew dramatically. Water change every 10 days is not enough to keep chemicals stable for coral to grow.

[mikellini]

Hmm, alkalinity is a bit high. But probably not the issue. I would suggest you feed your LPS and anemones, they will grow faster with food. Other corals might benefit from an amino acid or something similar to introduce organics. Ideally you'd like a slightly measurable nitrate (1ppm or so) and a bit lower phosphate as well.

[neoh]

I've kept stable parameters with monthly water changes and no dosing. Once I started adding aquavitro fuel for amino acid supplements, things starting sprouting well.

I'd suggest giving it a shot!

[mikellini]

Oops, I see you do feed a little. I say, feed more! Many have had success feeding LPS pellets...

Also, API test kits are notoriously unreliable. Red Sea makes an OK kit (although the phosphate won't read less than 0.08); I would consider just getting a Hanna checker for alk and phosphate (ULR phosphorus), and get a Red Sea nitrate test kit. Also Red Sea has a 'reef foundation' kit that includes calcium, alkalinity and magnesium. With regular water changes, you probably only need the calcium test (if you get the Hanna checker for alk).

[reefwars]

At 0.25 for Po4 , that's part of your issue

[jordanc_17]

Also you are only getting RO water from the grocery store, not RO/DI water. I would invest in a RO/DI unit, they are cheap.

[AquaAddict]

Hi,

If you also have very little coraline algae, ie, rocks lock a little bit gray, your nitrates are too low. Corals (and coraline algae) do need a very little bit of nitrates to feed on.

Just be careful not to overdo it. Levels of 2 parts per million might a minimum to strive for but watch carefully.

AquaAddict

[incept]

Thanks for the response everyone. From what I gather the Phosphates need to come down and the nitrate come up slightly. Cool. I can do that. Now the next question, I am running a GFO reactor already with the phosphates at the level they are now. Perhaps the media is not working correctly. Any suggestions on what GFO media to try and use?? I think before I go to crazy that is the first thing to achieve. Once the phosphates come down we can drive the nitrates up slightly. To answer the coraline algea. I have next to none. It has never grown in the tank and the little bit I seeded never really did anything. Thanks for the replies, keep em coming!

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by reefwars

At 0.25 for Po4 , that's part of your issue

Probably most of the issue. Temp is good, other parameters good. RO vs RO/DI is not a factor. NO3 reading 0ppm is likely not an issue, there will be some, just utilized immediately and not detectable. I never had a reading on NO3 and coral growth was crazy.

I'd aim to lower PO4 as a first action.