jackdp
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Hi, I've made my first venture into sps corals. I recently put a small Montipora digitata in my 20 long tank. The tank is about 14 inches deep and the coral is about in the middle under 2x55 watt PC lighting (1 10k and 1 actinic bulb) My question: How can I tell if this coral is healthy and happy. It still has its pink color after about 2 weeks except the tips are kinda white. I don't really see any polyps extending but I have heard that some Montipora have polyps so small they can't be seen. The water params seem fine pH=8.0-8.3, temp=81-84, alk=8dkh, Ca=410mg/l, 0 nitrates, 0 ammonia. Also, a thin film of algae keeps growing over the coral giving it a brownish appearance, a snail will clean it off and in a few days it grows back. I just don't want the first sps to die on me. I know my lights are kinda low for sps but in a couple of weeks I am upgrading to 175watt MH and 2x55 PC actinics but for now....help! Thanks