Raising Healthy Corals

[abomb55076]

I am interested in learning how to have very full healthy corals. Not all of my star polyps open and I was wondering if there are things I can do to make it happy. What are things that you do to keep your corals happy and healthy?http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4671770715_9fa323f6b9_b.jpg

[RyanTurner]

What are your water parameters?
Tank size?
All that good stuff.

[kjdeut]

Water quality is one of the biggest factors. Depending on the type of corals I would guess lighting is the next biggest factor.
Ken

[abomb55076]

I have a 3g Picotope, stock accessories for now but looking to upgrade soon. Water temp is at 78... my pH is alittle low today, around 7.8 or so... nitrite is 0, ammonia is alittle high at around .25ppm, nitrate 0. If you can help me with correcting these parameters as well, that would be great.

[Mike Bennett]

I'd do weekly 1 gallon water changes (or even half gallon) as a rule of thumb, and do a half gallon change every time your params or corals suggest something is out of whack. Also note that GSP has some of the highest "ideal" lighting requirements for all softies.

[coralreefer]

Never really kept softies such as GSP, but maintaining parameters other than you mentioned such as calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium will benefit all corals. In a tank this small the best way to do that will be to make sure you test your incoming water (for water changes). Depending on the salt you use, you may have to bring up these parameters in your freshly mixed saltwater before water changes.

You don't have a skimmer so you will really want to make sure that your husbandry is up to par as well. As bemi0701 mentioned, do regular water changes. Also, make sure that you have an adequate amount of live rock and that flow isn't so slow that detritus is accumulating. Also, watch your feeding and what you are feeding.

[abomb55076]

I try to do a water change at least every week if not twice a week. The stock filter actually provides somewhat of a current in the water, my corals seem to sway but I have to make sure the water level is always up for this. Is there a good cheap powerhead you suggest for such a small tank? I almost killed everything in my tank yesterday just siphoning water back into it because it blew all of my corals and sand to opposite sides of the tank.

[Mike Bennett]

You won't need any more flow than the stock filter. You could throw in a MP10 though if you like:gay1:.

In all seriousness, just look out for dead spots. Otherwise you should be fine. What light are you using? What are you checking your salinity with? Have you let your brother into your tank lately? ;)

[abomb55076]

You won't need any more flow than the stock filter. You could throw in a MP10 though if you like:gay1:.

In all seriousness, just look out for dead spots. Otherwise you should be fine. What light are you using? What are you checking your salinity with? Have you let your brother into your tank lately? ;)

I am using the stock light but was thinking about maybe upgrading to an LED because I would only need 3 or 4 LEDs total so it wouldnt cost much. I am checking my salinity with one of the optical things.... not sure what they're called. My salinity is at about 1.023. Ha and I havnt had any real problems yet so Im not going to take the chances and let me brother at it. :gay1:

[redeclipse6049]

refractometer privileges revoked.

[abomb55076]

Thats what I use, refractometer....:cool: