Polyp Extension?

[dmax]

I have a couple pieces of sps and the polyp extension seems to be so-so compaired to other reef pics or vids I watch. Wondering if there is something I am doing wrong or is it the corals preference in my tank?
I have 6 80watt T5ho if that makes a difference
Pink Birdsnest
Green Bali Slimer
Green Birdsnest (Looks good to me just wanted to show it)
One on the clear frag plug was just given to me as a birdsnest but I really dont know what it is?
Did a test last night and my calcium was low as well as dkh. I did stop two part dosing due to a battle of hair algea. Trying anything to get it to go away!!!! LOL

Phosphates-0
Nitrates-0
Thanks for any input in advance.

 

[geoj]

Try changing water flow
What’s ammonia and nitrite?
I don’t think the two part dosing has any part in your battle of hair algae.

 

[dmax]

I have two koralia 4's......But I was kinda wondering about that because someone recomended a mp40. Really dont want to spend the money but I think I am getting one tomorrow. My LFS is recieving their shipment in tomorrow360.00??
Ammonia-0
As far as the hair algea I really dont know what to do because I have tried everything shy of starting over.

 

[dmax]

I have had them for about 3 months except the one in the 1st pic. But they seem to be growing and doing ok.

 

[geoj]

Before you buy a new PH try turning one off and change the direction on the other so to bounce off the glass. By lowering the flow you can see if it helps or if there is no change. You have one coral with good polyp extension why is this so?

 

[geoj]

"As far as the hair algae I really don’t know what to do because I have tried everything shy of starting over."
Don’t give in just yet…
What type CUC do you have and what have you tried to do to get rid of this hair algae
A good book to help: Algae: A Problem Solver Guide
By: Julian Sprung
Have you fixed the calcium and alkalinity?

 

[btldreef]

I'd definitely get the calcium and dkh higher. I don't think it has anything to do with your algae issue either.
As for the MP40, a) that's a really good price, b) I love mine and will be adding another one to slave with the main one very soon. I have definitely noticed more polyp extension since switching to the MP40, it just gives the tank a more natural flow.
Good luck

 

[dmax]

I started dosing again this morning for the calcium and dkh.
CUC- I just got a sea hare last weekend and he has made the most impact so far. I have about 20-30 hermits, 5 turbo snails, 10-15 astrea snails.
I have been turning my lights off for 2 days out of the week. havent been running the lights as much 10 hrs actinic and 7hrs for growth bulbs.
Started doing a bunch of water changes but that got expensive real quick on a 180.
At the begining i switched from ro to ro/di. Have been using ro/di water for about 6 months now with 0 tds.
I have been told I need a bigger CUC.

 

[dmax]

And the one with good extension I have no clue??
But I will try messing with the flow.
I was just told the sps like alternating current so I fiquered vortechs.

 

[geoj]

I would agree with adding some more to the CUC. I like 2 snails per 10 gals this works grate in a 25 and 50 gal tank. So if you added 15 Trochus snails my new favorites you would be close. I am not much a fan of hermits you could find a new home for them snail killers.
Trochus and Astraea will eat hair algae but its not there favorite so if you have enough snails they will have to eat the hair...

 

[geoj]

I started dosing again this morning for the calcium and dkh.
QUOTE]

I almost let you get away with that, we need to know the numbers
Calcium, Alkalinity, and pH. Are you testing?

 

[dmax]

Thanks guys. I need to go to sleep so I'm getting off of here. But I am going to add more to my cuc. And we will see if I buy the mp40 or not. It's alot for a powerhead but I love new equipment almost more than what's in it. I will let you know tomorrow.

 

[geoj]

me sleepy too

 

[dmax]

Well last night when I got off work I headed to the lfs I deal with and bought the vortech mp40. He made me a good deal and he also threw in a C-Scope refractometer for free. That was awesome!!!
I also found out my salinity is low last night. 1.022

 

[jackri]

What test kit are you using for phosphates? They may just be undetectable on your test kit or being absorbed by algae as fast as they are being produced.
2 part is not causing your hair algae. It's more than likely the water you use or the food you are feeding them. The real fix is find the cause to keep it from growing versus treating the symptoms of it.

 

[dmax]

I use the API test kit....
I just tested
Ammonia-0
Ph-8.4
Phosphate-0
Nitrate-0

 

[dmax]

I know API isnt the best but it seems to work.
And I have started my two part dosing.
I just cant understand why I have hair algea?

 

[autojunkie]

I used to get everykind of algae you could imagine, even cyanobacteria problems.. However my luck turned as soon as I switched over to RODi water, and adjusted the timer on my lights

 

[dmax]

I have my lights turned down to only run 6 hours a day.
Do you think my corals will suffer?
Thanks