mrg02d
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Hello all,
I picked up some random acropora frags some time ago (remember, I had the red bug problem that is now over with thanks to Betadine). I dont know which kind they are. One is green and the other is a purple brown.
They dont seem to be growing at all. I was under the impression that they were quick growers. Maybe something isnt right with my tank?
I have a 20g tank with a 96W (2-12,000K , 2-Actinic) T5 light. I have the frags up on the top of the rocks about 10in from the bulbs. My flow is from a Koralia 2 powerhead and a Koralia 1 power head facing each other (the Koralia 1 is now in a bucket with some live rock rubble curing). There is an additional flow from a Fluval 305 filter (160GPH or so). The Koralia 2 is pointing up to the surface right above the acropora frags.
My water parameters:
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
Phosphate : 0
Calcium : 520ppm
Alkalinity : 9-10dKH
pH : 8.2
Salinity: 1.024
Now keep in mind, Nitrate and Phosphate ARE present as there is the annoying light brown whispy algae present that forms on the sides of the tank every few days. I am now running Clearmax in my Fluval and am adding some Cheato to the main tank as soon as it gets here in the mail.
Lighting: 12,000k bulbs stay on for about 7hours and the Actinics for 10hours. ( I cut down on lighting to combat the algae).
Feeding: I feed every other day. Mysis and Formula 1 pellets (mysis on one day and pellets on another day). Mysis is thoroughly washed in DI water before feeding. Fish get a few bites each. Clean up crew makes dang sure nothing goes uneaten .
Now, I know Acros are finicky critters, but I dont even know if they are happy. They extened polyps at all times. Thats about all I can say about them. They dont look sick (as far as I can tell), but they just havent made ANY progress since I got them a month ago. (No white tips which indicate growth).
Do I need more flow? Better powerhead placement? Longer lighting? Higher dKH? Anything pop out at you that would be a red flag? I have a montipora plate coral that is doing outstanding nearby! Has totally anchored to the rocks and has copius new growth. A Crocea clam also sits nearby which has plenty of growth.
Thanks!
Matt
I picked up some random acropora frags some time ago (remember, I had the red bug problem that is now over with thanks to Betadine). I dont know which kind they are. One is green and the other is a purple brown.
They dont seem to be growing at all. I was under the impression that they were quick growers. Maybe something isnt right with my tank?
I have a 20g tank with a 96W (2-12,000K , 2-Actinic) T5 light. I have the frags up on the top of the rocks about 10in from the bulbs. My flow is from a Koralia 2 powerhead and a Koralia 1 power head facing each other (the Koralia 1 is now in a bucket with some live rock rubble curing). There is an additional flow from a Fluval 305 filter (160GPH or so). The Koralia 2 is pointing up to the surface right above the acropora frags.
My water parameters:
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
Phosphate : 0
Calcium : 520ppm
Alkalinity : 9-10dKH
pH : 8.2
Salinity: 1.024
Now keep in mind, Nitrate and Phosphate ARE present as there is the annoying light brown whispy algae present that forms on the sides of the tank every few days. I am now running Clearmax in my Fluval and am adding some Cheato to the main tank as soon as it gets here in the mail.
Lighting: 12,000k bulbs stay on for about 7hours and the Actinics for 10hours. ( I cut down on lighting to combat the algae).
Feeding: I feed every other day. Mysis and Formula 1 pellets (mysis on one day and pellets on another day). Mysis is thoroughly washed in DI water before feeding. Fish get a few bites each. Clean up crew makes dang sure nothing goes uneaten .
Now, I know Acros are finicky critters, but I dont even know if they are happy. They extened polyps at all times. Thats about all I can say about them. They dont look sick (as far as I can tell), but they just havent made ANY progress since I got them a month ago. (No white tips which indicate growth).
Do I need more flow? Better powerhead placement? Longer lighting? Higher dKH? Anything pop out at you that would be a red flag? I have a montipora plate coral that is doing outstanding nearby! Has totally anchored to the rocks and has copius new growth. A Crocea clam also sits nearby which has plenty of growth.
Thanks!
Matt