SPS Growth Puzzle

[Aquattro]

While the food thing makes sense, somewhat, I've never fed and had up to 3 inches growth per month for years in my old tank (bare bottom). But, I'll try that and see what happens.
Keep it coming

[chris88]

sometimes corals will eat bacteria or fish waster or even things we can't see in the water column. Problem is we skim the **** out of tanks taking most of this away. Thats why things like coral frenzy help so much. +1 on the feeding all way but make sure you spot feed and dont over do it.

[Jason McK]

I know you really like the flow have you trying dialing down your flow at all? Also have you ever tried clipping a tip of a piece. I've seen really fast growth from areas that I have fraged. To the point that the fragged branch out grew a non-fraged branch

J

[marie]

What you really need are some Powell River grade "A" red bugs



.....I have lots if you want some

[Aquattro]

Jason, yes, I've taken small tips off of colonies and mounted them, nothing at all. I haven't dialed back the flow, but it's not crazy like I used to use, just 2 smaller streams (6060) and about 500gph from return line, maybe.
I might try that too though, and maybe then I could add sand -lol

Marie, thanks, had my own, had to treat a couple of months ago.

[shrimpchips]

How many fish? There have been a lot of people remarking that after getting more fish, their SPS growth took off. Maybe the food aimed at the coral isn't actually doing anything, but food from fish waste will?

[daniella3d]

Food from fish waste?? ain't that basicanly nitrates at the end? I thought nitrates was actualy preventing sps from growing?? My bioload is extremely low with only 2 mandarins fish in a 75 gallons and I still see great growth in my sps. NO need to add more fish.

I feed coral frenzy and ReefRoids and my sps grow like crazy. I could swear I see new growth each day on one of them. I do feed a lot though (each day) because I also have filter feeders, but I have no nitrates and phosphates.

I would suggest you to try reefroids and coral frenzy and also if you can get the zeovit amino acids and coral vitalizer you will probably see some major improvement.

Your calcium is low as many other people have mentioned here.

Originally Posted by shrimpchips

How many fish? There have been a lot of people remarking that after getting more fish, their SPS growth took off. Maybe the food aimed at the coral isn't actually doing anything, but food from fish waste will?

[marie]

Originally Posted by daniella3d

Food from fish waste?? ain't that basicanly nitrates at the end? I thought nitrates was actualy preventing sps from growing?? My bioload is extremely low with only 2 mandarins fish in a 75 gallons and I still see great growth in my sps. NO need to add more fish.

I feed coral frenzy and ReefRoids and my sps grow like crazy. I could swear I see new growth each day on one of them. I do feed a lot though (each day) because I also have filter feeders, but I have no nitrates and phosphates.

I would suggest you to try reefroids and coral frenzy and also if you can get the zeovit amino acids and coral vitalizer you will probably see some major improvement.

Your calcium is low as many other people have mentioned here.

Actually corals do need a certain amount of nitrates for their growth and they will even use some phosphates but fish poo isn't just nitrates it is a food source for many organisms in your tank


My calcium is chronically low, around 360 and occasionally down to 320-340 and I have fantastic growth so I don't think that's it (although I do notice things don't look quite right when the cal is down at 320)

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by shrimpchips

How many fish? There have been a lot of people remarking that after getting more fish, their SPS growth took off. Maybe the food aimed at the coral isn't actually doing anything, but food from fish waste will?

That is a consideration, I have very few fish. I think I have a school of damsels in the sump, but I have to empty it to find out. I'm also skimpy on food, so I'll try feeding the fish more.

[Canadian]

Hey, have you considered raising your Ca? I heard that might do it

I had similar problems last year Brad and did end up swapping out most of the LR as you've alluded to. I noticed a burst of growth but then it dwindled down again. I later dropped my flow rate and found that lead to a burst of growth but wasn't sustained either. I've since moved and am dealing with typical "new tank" type symptoms including browning out and slowed growth.

Have you considered changing to LED lighting? I think that's what the cool kids are using these days. Sounds trendy and trendy is always good