Why isn't my coraline algae growing!

[FragIt Dan]

Originally Posted by Timbits

What do you think of my theory "that there may be very little trace amount of copper so when i first add a frag, i get good growth but then it slows down later on?"

OR if copper is a problem, would i not get growth at all right from the beginning and the coral will just die?

I have a paly that started with 1 polyp that has over 100 polyps now that has been in the tank since the beginning...

IMO, if Cu was your problem you would see problems right from the get go, but in this case there is a good chance I am wrong . Chronic low levels can bioaccumulate and cause issues with time. It sounds like your symptoms would point towards this, as unlikely as it may seem. You could do some research on Cu LC50's in the marine environment. I actually did some undergraduate work on this exact topic. Have you tested for Cu yet? If it does turn out to be Cu, you would be better off converting the tank to FOWLR. With a great deal if effort you can leach copper out of things like glass and plastic, but the rocks should go to someone with a FOWLR tank with an appropriate warning about the Cu content. I might see if I can dig up some of my stuff on Cu, but that was a few years ago.


FragIt Dan