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Corals stopped growing? (1 Viewer)

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Justin91

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All my corals besides my anemone seemed to stopped growing and some seemed to get smaller. I checked my alkalinity level and it’s at 8.5. Anyone know what I should check or a reason why? Also started my tank about 8 months ago.


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Cody

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I have been keeping reef tanks for 13 years. Throughout my tenure, I have noticed a lot of funky coral activity. The perfect example is my most recent one. I mounted a frag of Jason Fox Papa Smurf sps. It sat in that spot for six months and did nothing. After six months with the exact same conditions, it decided to grow. Within six months of it starting to grow, it's now a colony about 5-6" across. In the last few weeks, it decided to lose skin. Again, the basic parameters are all the same, lights the same, filtrations the same, etc. Sometimes corals just do what they want. Don't sweat it so long as it's alive and seems happy.
 
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Justin91

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Thanks Cody. I think I got some corals off you before. All look heathy just not as big as they once were been like that for about 2 weeks


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Cody

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Thanks Cody. I think I got some corals off you before. All look heathy just not as big as they once were been like that for about 2 weeks


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No problem, bud! What are your nitrates and phosphates?
 
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Justin91

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Haven’t checked yet. I only have an alkalinity digital reader it read 8.5dKH


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Justin91

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What should all my levels be at? Good to know from someone doing this hobby as long as you.


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Cody

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What should all my levels be at? Good to know from someone doing this hobby as long as you.


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Over 90% of the carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, etc that corals use to grow are made via photosynthesis. For photosynthesis to happen, you need carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorous. You want the nutrients to be low enough to not grow algae but detectable enough to allow your corals to photosynthesize. I personally keep my nitrates between 5-10pm and phosphates between .03-.06 and that seems to keep the algae away.
 
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Justin91

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I’ll see what my levels are and try that. Thanks for the tips


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sneezebeetle

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Not sure there is any research to back this or not, but I have always been content to believe that like everything else in nature, winter months slow all growth be it animal, flora/fauna, or underwater critters and creatures. If all your parameters are the same and have been consistent, then I'd say settle in for the winter and see what happens come spring 🤷‍♀️
 
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