starting a coral tank

vazgor · #1 12-24-2007, 05:40 AM

what kinda light are you useing and what is your ph do you have live rock could be lots o chit

eWarren · #2 12-24-2007, 05:45 AM

I use corallife 4x65w pc light. Not sure about the ph, I havn't measure it for long long time. I have about 50 - 65 lb of live rock and what do you mean by lots of chit?

Canuckgod420 · #3 12-24-2007, 05:48 AM

How do you divide a 75g tank into 1/3 reef tank?
I dont think you bought clove polyps, if they pulsed in store it is most likey pulsing xenia, and they like fairly strong light and medium flow.

eWarren · #4 12-24-2007, 05:55 AM

Yes, you are right. I think I got xenia. So, do you think its the light issue? I do have good wwater flow.

mark · #5 12-24-2007, 06:34 AM

Read and found myself Ca is held back by Mg. Likes a 3:1 ratio so try raising your Mg to NSW (~1280ppm) for a higher Ca.

To get the Xenia pulsing can be hit and miss but they do seem to like a higher pH to pulse (8.3).

eWarren · #6 12-24-2007, 07:04 AM

If finally I get my water to the "ideal reading" again, will my Xenia pulsing again?

marie · #7 12-24-2007, 07:18 AM

Nobody really knows for sure why xenia pulses. Some people with "ideal" water quality can't even get xenia to survive so thats a hard question to answer

Just for the record anything above 380 is fine for calcium, i've found 450 to be a bit too high (it's more likely to precipitate out and cause a bit of a snow storm)

Jason McK · #8 12-24-2007, 03:04 PM

Warren Great to see you on Canreef.

Getting your Mg up will likly help with your CA. But really I don't think 350 - 390 is all that bad for soft corals.
how is your Nitrate, Ammonia, Nitrite. Also since your tank used to be a fish only did you ever treat the tank for anything using copper?

Jason