Need some help with my tank and lack of coral growth.

[barderer]

you need to feed the corals. Considering your anemonehas doubled in size in you small tank I would say you water is very clean as anemones are very sensitive to poor water quality. However, you are direct feeding the anemone which is good, and is why it grows. Many corals ideal for the aquariums are not best suited to grow just on light as they are usually deep water species...USUALLY...especially selections for a biocube or smaller tank with weak lighting. In other words you need to feed your corals if you want faster growth.Feed the various phytoplankton, zoo etc. Things like Xenia and other filter type corals do really well in slightly more "nutritious" water.

[junkstang]

you need to feed the corals. Considering your anemonehas doubled in size in you small tank I would say you water is very clean as anemones are very sensitive to poor water quality. However, you are direct feeding the anemone which is good, and is why it grows. Many corals ideal for the aquariums are not best suited to grow just on light as they are usually deep water species...USUALLY...especially selections for a biocube or smaller tank with weak lighting. In other words you need to feed your corals if you want faster growth.Feed the various phytoplankton, zoo etc. Things like Xenia and other filter type corals do really well in slightly more "nutritious" water.

i agree i think the tank is just to clean. i would say you need to pick between water changes and having a skimmer.

[ErikH]

If your zoas are not growing at all, you water is more than likely too clean. Water changes with Reef Crystals may help, it seems to be a help in my tank. I am now running my skimmer only at night because I too was having problems with growth. Sine I changed those two things, alot more has seemed to go on in my tank. Those little nanos usually throw up zoas they grow so fast.

[tony]

how can you not afford a refractometer? $45 for piece of mind is well worth it. do a search for some of the swing arm hydrometer horror stories, there are many.

even a $10 floating hydrometer would be better than the swing arm

[Bill S]

Yup. Like Tony says. I ONLY own floating hydrometers. The good ones. NEVER a swing arm or anthing mechanical.