green slimmer staghorn

[JKLUSAF]

I bought a this frag alittle over a week ago now, the first couple of days this frag looked great but now its just been closed up. I've moved it closer to light and also tried moving it into more flow.

not sure if i'm feeding it the right stuff/ frequency/ or what. Any advice?

All my parameters are ready good

Justin

[Bill S]

Do you have any other SPS? You shouldn't have to feed it directly, it's a filter feeder and really primarily photosynthetic. It should grow well in moderate to heavy light. It's usually considered one of the easiest SPS to keep.

[JKLUSAF]

i have a torch/colt/some mushrooms/candy cane, and there doing fine. the only SPS that didn't do ok was the Pumping Xenia, most of it died in a week, but a small peice of the original piece is hagging on.

Justin

[Bill S]

i have a torch/colt/some mushrooms/candy cane, and there doing fine. the only SPS that didn't do ok was the Pumping Xenia, most of it died in a week, but a small peice of the original piece is hagging on.

Justin

OK, all of the above are softies or LPS (Large Polyp Stony corals). So, the only SPS (Small P. S. corals) you have is the green slimer. This IS a good choice for a first stab at SPS.

So, with that said:

Tell us more about your tank, in particular the lighting. SPS takes a LOT more light than what you have (edit - I meant more light than the CORALS you have).

And just so you know, Xenia is a hit/miss kind of thing. Won't grow in my big tank. At all.

[JKLUSAF]

Pictures posted in the "All Albums" title Justin's 65gal. along with everything including

[Bill S]

Justin,

1) When you are looking for help, please do us a favor - don't make us go looking for info on your tank - we're here to help, but you won't get much of a response if you don't help us, help you. Being honest here - except that I previously responded, I would not have bothered to go looking over to the "All Albums" page to dig up the info on your tank.

2) When looking for help "all parameters are ready good" isn't enough. Please provide:
Temperature range, pH range, salinity, nitrates, alkalinity, calcium - at a minimum. Not trying to be difficult, just trying to help. Also, the age of your tank would help too. Young tanks tend to be tougher to grow SPS in.

3) So I take the time to go to "All Albums" to find your tank, and there's nothing specific on your lighting - which is what I asked. Just "36" T5". Need to know how many bulbs, and what spectrum they are, and how old they are.

[CoryDude]

Justin,

I recently switched from a soft and hard coral tank and there was (still is) a learning curve and transition period.

My softie (colt, strawberry, xenia, leather) tank that thrived , couldn't even keep a piece of montipora digitata alive.

My tank ran a little "dirty" and the sps didn't like it at all.

Once I started really testing nitrates, water hardness, ph, and calcium levels (and even magnesium to a certain extent), cut down on feedings, and started visiting sites like this and RC, that's when I started seeing sps growth.

As far as what's up with your slimer, not really sure.....sounds like it could be a number of things like Bill had said.

[Bill S]

OK, Justin PM'd me, and said I WAS being difficult. As I noted, I'm not TRYING to be difficult, even if I am.

From his PM, a couple of possible/probable items:

Salinity is 1.021. This is too low for SPS - 1.024 is a much better number. How is this being tested? If it's a swing arm, don't trust it. GRADUALLY bring your salinity up to 1.024 - say .001 per day.

Lighting: 2 96w T5s (spectrum?) that are a year old. You will struggle with SPS with these lights. I struggle on my 55, and it has 4x48" T5s. They will only grow at the very top. Find the absolutely highest point in the tank, and put it there.

"I don't tests for Alk & Calcium yet". This is a problem. Alkalinity, at a minimum, because if you go too low or too high, your slimer will be very unhappy. This could be a big problem, or could be no problem. Your next purchase should be a test kit (Salifert is my preference).

************************************************** ***************
Maybe now you understand WHY we ask. And yes - I'm at work too - I work 70-80 hours a week - and I'm taking time out of my insanely busy work day to help out. You may think I'm being difficult, but I'm really, really just trying to help - even if I AM being difficult!

The info you provided in your PM was EXACTLY what was needed. And yes, when one asks a question, you really should provide as much info as you have, to keep the folks helping out from having to guess - remember, you are asking people for help - you will get the BEST answers when you give as much info as you have.

[jc]

I've had great luck growing sps under t5 lights. It would help if you told us what spectrum of bulbs you have. Some are better for growth and some are better for color. The majority of time i've had problems with my sps was because of alkalinity problems.

[brewercm]

I have to second what Bill stated. Please to anybody that is looking for help give as much SPECIFIC information that is possible. Without this information you might as well be asking the cashier at PETCO.

[Texreefer]

Justin, Bill is right on the money with what he is saying, give me a call if you need some additional help