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Unread 04/12/2007, 08:15 AM   #1
awestruck
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Thriving red "meat coral" vs. not thriving open green brain

This is going to be long, please excuse.

My tank is a 58g. The water parmenters are as follows:
Temp.--79
pH------8.4
salin.---1.026
nitrate-5
alk.-----125.3
calcium-440

Here is my question: I have a red "meat coral" (looks very similar to a brain coral; I think it is a brain but my LFS didn't call it that) and a green open brain. Both corals are at approximatly the same height in the tank--the red meat coral is thriving while the green brain is just "kinda hangin' in there".

Nothing appears to be bothering the green brain and my tank is mixed with some gargonians, LTA, shrooms, softies etc. The two brains are approximately 6" from each other. My question is could the meat coral be consuming most of the calcium thus depriving the green brain of its much needed calcium?

I am very confused as to why the green brain is not thriving. Any ideas would greatly be appreciated.


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Unread 04/12/2007, 08:55 AM   #2
Billybeau1
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Your water looks fine. Maybe bump your alk up a tad.

You may do better posting your question in the Coral forum.

Good Luck.


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Unread 04/12/2007, 09:05 AM   #3
awestruck
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Thanx Billybeau . I wanted to start this post in the chemistry forum to ensure that the water paremeters are where they should be. And yes, my alkalinity is a bit low--I am going to start dosing Dr. Holmes-Farley's DIY Part 1 recipe for alk. and calcium (once the calcium drops a bit). My water isn't staying as consistent as it should be. Here's one strange thing though: I don't add anything to my tank--I just do 10% water changes once a week. I don't understand this...


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Unread 04/12/2007, 09:13 AM   #4
Billybeau1
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You may have low magnesium. Have you tested for that ?

If you use Instant Ocean, I know you have low magnesium.

Mag plays an important role in the relationship between calcium and alkalinity.


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Unread 04/12/2007, 02:10 PM   #5
awestruck
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I have not tested for mag. but I need to; and, I'll bet that my water is very low in mag. Thanx again!


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Unread 04/12/2007, 11:07 PM   #6
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