millepora flow.

hey all! i have a rose millepora that ive had for about 2-3 weeks now. ive had it in medium flow (having trouble with power heads). it isnt opening as much now so im wondering if i did something wrong? 150W MH 14K bulb. i dont have the reef test kits but am dong 3 gallon water changes with Reef Crystals every week. using RO water.

did i do something wrong?

 

That's a beautiful coral, Gexx. I hope it makes it. Truth is, with an mille, it can be so many things, it's hard to tell. Just off the cuff, though, keep in mind these corals are more sensitive than most to fluctuations in, or incorrectly maintained levels of calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, salinity, temperature, and the list goes on.

To keep these, I think you have to test for at least the above, and know the rates at which they're depleted so you can maintain the levels with additions of same. At the very least, you must know what these levels are, and know them over time.

Hope that helps.

 

Your flow should be fine, you need to get those test kits and then once you know where you stand start a dosing regimen.

 

i did a water change. its my first mille and it is gorgeous so im nervous when anything hapens. it has all polyps out but im not sure how far out they are supposed to be. i saw a blue mille at the lfs and it had a massive ammount of tentacles out.

 

Tentacle show depends on how long it has been in the tank, flow, lighting, available food, health and minerals available. If it has been in you tank a short time then the tentacle will show more and more as it acclimates if everything is to its liking. Mare sure it does not touch other corals as it can do serious damage especially SPS.

 

Not testing your params!

But I know you know this already

Weekly water changes help but they'll never keep your parameters in line. Every week your tank is using cal/alk/mag and the small amount of water being replenished provides a bump but it's not a substitute for testing/dosing