Are there any SPS that shouldn't be kept together?

deputydog95 · 01/17/2019, 09:36 AM

Kind of have a weird thing going on...

Here are the non SPS species:

I have a zoa garden on one rock. A giant easter egg chalice (14") and another unidentified chalice that is probably only 4 inches. One medium size head of hammer coral I keep having to trim back it grows so fast. And a moderate size piece of war coral (6). All mostly on the bottom or pretty low.

As far as SPS, it's a mix of Acros, Millis, Monti caps, encrusting Monti's, Stylos and Digiis.

When the tank was fairly new and the Acros were reasonably small... I could grow pretty much all the SPS in the tank with no issues. The Monti caps were almost a nuisance at one point. As the Acros have gotten larger, I can't grow Monti caps at all now.. At one point they all pretty much died off. What remains hasn't gotten bigger or smaller over the past 8 months. They color nicely, but almost no growth. Same for the encrusting Monti.

The Orange Setosa and Millis are the same way. They look good, but nothing for growth. Meanwhile, most of the Acros are doing quite nicely.

I do weekly 10% water changes, skim heavily, change filter pads every other day, etc... The slow growing SPS all have space around them.

Anything jump out immediately as something I'm doing wrong with blending any particular species?

Jettareefer · 01/17/2019, 09:43 PM

Have you tested your potassium lately? Monti’s tend to really need it for some reason. How long have the tank been established?

Reef Bass · 01/18/2019, 07:10 AM

Monti caps not growing much is definitely a symptom of something off. At one point I had an Idaho Grape that was two feet wide, touching the front and the back of the tank, becoming a flow blocker and a major calcium sponge. It grew to that size from a frag the size of a broken potato chip.

I don't see a problem with the corals you are keeping together.

I suspect a water chemistry issue. You don't mention your parameters. Assuming alk, ca and mag are where they should be, it could be a potassium issue as mentioned above. LPS are more tolerant of higher nitrates and phosphates, so an overabundance of those could be involved.

If you're looking for a thorough testing of your water, you might consider a Triton test.

01/17/2019, 09:36 AM	#1
deputydog95 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 966	Are there any SPS that shouldn't be kept together? Kind of have a weird thing going on... Here are the non SPS species: I have a zoa garden on one rock. A giant easter egg chalice (14") and another unidentified chalice that is probably only 4 inches. One medium size head of hammer coral I keep having to trim back it grows so fast. And a moderate size piece of war coral (6). All mostly on the bottom or pretty low. As far as SPS, it's a mix of Acros, Millis, Monti caps, encrusting Monti's, Stylos and Digiis. When the tank was fairly new and the Acros were reasonably small... I could grow pretty much all the SPS in the tank with no issues. The Monti caps were almost a nuisance at one point. As the Acros have gotten larger, I can't grow Monti caps at all now.. At one point they all pretty much died off. What remains hasn't gotten bigger or smaller over the past 8 months. They color nicely, but almost no growth. Same for the encrusting Monti. The Orange Setosa and Millis are the same way. They look good, but nothing for growth. Meanwhile, most of the Acros are doing quite nicely. I do weekly 10% water changes, skim heavily, change filter pads every other day, etc... The slow growing SPS all have space around them. Anything jump out immediately as something I'm doing wrong with blending any particular species? __________________ Red Sea Reefer 500 Peninsula, Apex Controller, Apex Wav (2), Apex DOS, Kessil 360WE (3), T5's (4), Kessil H160 Fuge light, RO Regal 150SSS Skimmer, RO DC Return Pump, Red Sea A&B

01/17/2019, 09:43 PM	#2
Jettareefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Plano,TX Posts: 323	Have you tested your potassium lately? Monti’s tend to really need it for some reason. How long have the tank been established? __________________ 50 gallon custom starfire planet rimless, trigger systems crystal 30 elite, Reef Octopus 202s, Ati sunpower 6x39w with sbreef bars, 2 low boy frag tanks. Kalk driven.

01/18/2019, 07:10 AM	#3
Reef Bass colors and textures Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Petaluma CA Posts: 6,301	Monti caps not growing much is definitely a symptom of something off. At one point I had an Idaho Grape that was two feet wide, touching the front and the back of the tank, becoming a flow blocker and a major calcium sponge. It grew to that size from a frag the size of a broken potato chip. I don't see a problem with the corals you are keeping together. I suspect a water chemistry issue. You don't mention your parameters. Assuming alk, ca and mag are where they should be, it could be a potassium issue as mentioned above. LPS are more tolerant of higher nitrates and phosphates, so an overabundance of those could be involved. If you're looking for a thorough testing of your water, you might consider a Triton test. __________________ The human desires for instant gratification and immediate problem resolution cannot be satisfied with this hobby. Former president and co-president of the Wine Country Reefers. Current Tank Info: 60 gallons of Scleractinia and Zoanthidae lit w/ LEDs