SPS Growth and Polyp Extention

[Scott G]

Well, since I have started keeping SPS (October) I've been realizing that many of the branching SPS are not making any considerable growth and their polyps are not out a lot. This is except for one green acro colony from Dave+Gina that grows like wildfire. All the others, maybe just a bit. My milli just just started to retract it's polyps for the past week. They are all very high up in the tank. I am having amazing growth with zoas and softies. Also, my monti is growing a lot. I have 2x175w 10k MH for lights. Calcium is at 400ppm. I also run a sump, skimmer and fuge. Is there any way to increase growth, and why am I not having much at all? Also, how can I get the polyps on the corals to extend more? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[TomD]

What are all your other test results? ALK/MG

 

[Scott G]

Alk- 11kh

 

[TomD]

btw Scott, I am new to SPS so I have no idea what the heck I am talking about

Are you running carbon? Any zoos/softies bothering them?

 

[Scott G]

Yes, I am running carbor. They aren't bothering them as far as I know.

 

[TomD]

The only other thing I can think of is checking for red bugs or something like that. Have you always treated your stuff.

I did not treat some of the first corals in my tank just because I did not know any better so I am still praying.

Other than that we will have to wait for the pros.

 

[Scott G]

Bump.

 

[snick1734]

What about phosphates, Ca, pH, SG, Nitrates ect. Temp swings??? Recent lighting changes? Just a few things to think about.

 

[Scott G]

Phosphates - <.03

Ca - 400

pH - 8.4

SG - 1.023

No temp swings, got new bulbs maybe 2 months ago.

 

[TomD]

You got XM10K's right? People usually do ok with them for growth. What did you have before?

 

[Scott G]

The same, just used

 

[TomD]

Any fish that could be nipping at polyps?

 

[KenG]

Tom,

I am also thinking that mix of softies and SPS is limiting SPS growth. We have a rather large toadstool (softball size), yellow leather, finger leather, mushrooms, zoos. We run Elos carbon - about 2 tbps changed weekly.

Chemistry is mostly right on.

 

[KenG]

we have a foxface that has been nipping on a few. He was concentrating on polyps and zoos before, but have noticed a few picked at SPS recently.

 

[TomD]

Not to hijack Scotts question but toadstools are very toxic and so are others. Some LPS can be brutal to. I think it is all about placement and some luck imo.

In my tank I have all nice zoos on the sand bed-followed by LPS in the middle-followed by SPS up higher on the rockwork.

I run a cup of carbon in a bag that my return line hits 24/7.

 

[Scott G]

bump

 

[fanaglethebagle]

How long have they been in your tank? Mine usually wait for a bit, slow growing. Then then burst into high speed.

 

[Scott G]

Actually some have been in since October and shown barely any growth.

 

[MAReefer1]

Do you dose anything to your tank?

 

[Scott G]

Yes, calcium and alkalinity