Any Ideas?

Gina · 04-11-2006, 07:47 PM

We purchased some star polpys and zoas two weeks ago this past sat.
The polyps and zoas opened up the first day but, have been closed ever since.
Our mushrooms expand but, not to their full extension.

First I thought we had a temperature problem so, we went to the LFS and purchased a new heater and thermomter.
Then, we thought we had a Ph problem but, purchased a new Pinpoint monitor and tested today.
Here are my current stats.

Ph=8.2
Temp=80
Spec Gravity=1.026

Using Salifert test kits...
Ammonia=0
Nitrite=0
Nitrate=0.2
Calcium=400
Magnesium=1200

Using a Fastest kit
Alk=3.5 meg/L

What the heck is wrong?
Does anyone have any other suggestions of what we can check or try to get our polyps, zoas and mushrooms to thrive?
I don't know what else to do.

Rougiem · 04-11-2006, 08:08 PM

Hummm...Do you have any pictures Gina?

Woodstock · 04-11-2006, 08:14 PM

Lighting? Were the corals used to a lower light? Is the flow to strong for them? Did you check the zoas for nudis? You could try a fresh water dip/swish and see if anything falls off the colony...

Gina · 04-11-2006, 08:33 PM

Rodger, no pics of the actual corals themselves.
Doni,
The corals were under VHO's at the store. They were in frags type tanks and lights were about 18" from the water.
They were out and looked great at PacificEast Aquaculture.
I've looked at the zoas and polyps and can't see any sign of Nudis.
They are placed in the tank half way up and according to the type of flow they like.
Do you think the Halides are too much for them since they were in VHO's.
We have been what we thought acclimating them to the lights by only having them on for about 5 hours the first few days and increasing every few days.

Woodstock · 04-11-2006, 08:39 PM

Yes.. I bet it is stress from the strong MH. Try lowering them... maybe to the bottom for a few weeks to see how they react.

Gina · 04-11-2006, 08:40 PM

I'll give that a try!

Travis · 04-12-2006, 12:37 AM

I would increase flow as well. A good blasting really helps new zo's, especially wild colonies.

Witfull · 04-12-2006, 02:08 AM

i would say ditto,,,~

SoliSteve · 04-12-2006, 08:23 AM

I would agree with both ideas above in moving them down in the tank a bit to lower their exposure to the new lighting and then slowly, over a few weeks raise them up to where you want them to be in the tank. The mushrooms will need to stay lower in the tank, though. Oscillating flow is much better with them than a constant "powerhead" direct flow. I would also suggest dropping your SG to 1.025 and increase your Mg to 1300 +/-. This should also bring your Alkalinity up a little bit as well.

04-11-2006, 07:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,834 View Gallery Karma Komment	Any Ideas? We purchased some star polpys and zoas two weeks ago this past sat. The polyps and zoas opened up the first day but, have been closed ever since. Our mushrooms expand but, not to their full extension. First I thought we had a temperature problem so, we went to the LFS and purchased a new heater and thermomter. Then, we thought we had a Ph problem but, purchased a new Pinpoint monitor and tested today. Here are my current stats. Ph=8.2 Temp=80 Spec Gravity=1.026 Using Salifert test kits... Ammonia=0 Nitrite=0 Nitrate=0.2 Calcium=400 Magnesium=1200 Using a Fastest kit Alk=3.5 meg/L What the heck is wrong? Does anyone have any other suggestions of what we can check or try to get our polyps, zoas and mushrooms to thrive? I don't know what else to do. __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina

04-11-2006, 08:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
Rougiem Ichthy Inquisitor Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Biggest Little City In The World Posts: 2,902 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Any Ideas? Hummm...Do you have any pictures Gina? __________________ "Apes don't read philosophy." "Yes they do Otto, they just don't understand it." Intial School Tank Set Up and Progress

04-11-2006, 08:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 23,669 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Any Ideas? Lighting? Were the corals used to a lower light? Is the flow to strong for them? Did you check the zoas for nudis? You could try a fresh water dip/swish and see if anything falls off the colony... __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

04-11-2006, 08:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,834 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Any Ideas? Rodger, no pics of the actual corals themselves. Doni, The corals were under VHO's at the store. They were in frags type tanks and lights were about 18" from the water. They were out and looked great at PacificEast Aquaculture. I've looked at the zoas and polyps and can't see any sign of Nudis. They are placed in the tank half way up and according to the type of flow they like. Do you think the Halides are too much for them since they were in VHO's. We have been what we thought acclimating them to the lights by only having them on for about 5 hours the first few days and increasing every few days. __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina

04-11-2006, 08:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 23,669 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Any Ideas? Yes.. I bet it is stress from the strong MH. Try lowering them... maybe to the bottom for a few weeks to see how they react. __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

04-11-2006, 08:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,834 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Any Ideas? I'll give that a try! __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina

04-12-2006, 12:37 AM	#7 (permalink)
Travis Smilie Bartender Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 6,701 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Any Ideas? I would increase flow as well. A good blasting really helps new zo's, especially wild colonies. __________________ Help build the Encyclopedia of ReefKeeping Find over 1400 Reef Aquarium Articles at The Reef Aquarium Index

04-12-2006, 08:23 AM	#9 (permalink)
SoliSteve Limpet Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Rosemont, PA Posts: 136 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Any Ideas? I would agree with both ideas above in moving them down in the tank a bit to lower their exposure to the new lighting and then slowly, over a few weeks raise them up to where you want them to be in the tank. The mushrooms will need to stay lower in the tank, though. Oscillating flow is much better with them than a constant "powerhead" direct flow. I would also suggest dropping your SG to 1.025 and increase your Mg to 1300 +/-. This should also bring your Alkalinity up a little bit as well.

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