[budster1875]

Hey everyone! I have a 210 gallon glass aquarium 72x48x24 With dual mega overflows with a sump, protein skimmer, sterilizer. My tests are coming out
Amm - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 10
P.H. - 8.2
Phosphate - 0
KH - 8 Dkh
Sg - 1.022
Calcuim - 300
Temp - 78.1
I am having a problem with Keeping my soft corals and polyps alive.
I had the lights on for 8 hrs and I got alot of green algae growth so I just recently turned it down to 7 hrs.

Any comments would be appreciated

[glampka]

What kind of lighting do you have?

[budster1875]

Coralife Lunar Aqualight Deluxe With 4 10000K 96 watt bulbs and 4 true Actnic with lunar blue moon glow led's

[tyoung]

using an ro/di unit?

[budster1875]

That is what I am getting next. I have used some store bought saltwater from Petco in the past.

[budster1875]

What is a good recomended light schedule for this big of tank and what kind of ro/di unit should I look into...
The fish store I go to has recomended a coralife ro/di unit 4 stage that they will get me for about $150.

[RyanG]

I would put my main lights (MH's) on for 8 hours a day.

[Krazy]

I'd look over to The Filter Guys for your RO/DI unit, it might cost you $200 but it will be top quality and built to your needs, have them look up your city water and they will use the right filters inside so you get the most out of it...

The green algae is most likely from tap water

Your calcium is a bit low, but I dont think that would affect your soft corals....

[poccoe61]

when you do the math hes only getting 1.8watts per gallon. might need to get a little more intense with the lighting? possibly MH...

[pogodzib]

The dimensions you gave would be for a 360 gallon tank.

Those lights on a 210 gallon tank should probably be kept on for at least 10-12 hours per day. PC lighting does not have the output to really give the corals the light that they need at the bottom of your tank. Try moving your corals higher in your tank and start using RO/DI water to aid in controlling your hair algae and to make sure that the corals are not getting killed by some unknown chemical from your water supply.

[budster1875]

sorry mistype 72" x 28" x 24"

[teajay33]

maybe its the 300 calcium? dont you suppose to keep that around 450?

[200g+guy]

i run my 300 and my 250 gallons tanks lights for 12 hours it will really help the coral and get some coral food and supplements it will really help
and yes calcium needs to go up

[kolokefalo]

Dont forget deepr than 24" you really lose alot of the lux power of the lights. 4X96 is a good amount of light for corals...on a 75 gallon tank. On a 210 gallon with a depth of 48", it makes for a fine algae light.

You do have options however, if you dont wish to upgrade your lighting you caould easily convert the tank into a nice macroalgae, slow moving, seahorse/dragonet tank. Not the most exciting thing in the world but I have seen some really beautiful set ups like this with Maidens Hair algae everywhere, and mangroves in one end growing out of the tank.

However, if you want to grow corals you will definately need more light. Most likely 500 more Watts.

[200g+guy]

you need to go by this rule of thumb 3 watts per gallon so you will need 630 watts for a not very stocked reef tank and probably around 800 for a nicely stocked one and if you are cramming coral into every open spot you will need 1200 watts which is really insane

[blind1993]

just go on ebay and type in metal halide and they sell it for really cheap like 2 bucks for 400wts

[jtravapd]

i have the same type of lighting system you have in my 180....(your tank is 4 inches higher)....your lighting is fine if you keep your corals half way up the tank towards the top.....keep mushrooms ect on the ground....i have all kinds of corals with no problems...if your corals aren't sitting on the bottom and your still having problems..i would look to your water quality as being hte problem..dont go crazy buying all mh lighting and stuff...you should be fine with what you have....if your water quality is crap, then all the lighting in the world wont help..

[ReefKing24]

Ok no way is that enough light except for the softies, and i mean the mushrooms, I have more light on my 90. way more 714 watts, you have a 210 gallon tank, get your calcium up, there is something out there called calcium boost, this will help get it up quickly.

[e_baer]

You may need iodine. Soft corals need iodine to grow and stay live. You can also get a test kit that test for it. I was having the same problem, then i got some iodine and vuala(sp?) they all grew.

[fisheyes]

calcium needs too bee 400-500 that is your problem

[blind1993]

500 is way to high max is 450 u will kill the fish if it goes above 500

[Krazy]

Originally Posted by blind1993

500 is way to high max is 450 u will kill the fish if it goes above 500

You wont kill the fish if it goes over 450 or 500, you may have a precipatation event though if your dkh is high as well.....

[bagemrn]

keep coral in the middle or 3/5 up, 10 hours light per day. up calcium to 400-450, iodine 10 ml every week till coral looks healthy, kent marine suppliments 10 ml every other week, marine snow or invert food weekly, and most important water flow. Do you have 1000-2000 gal/hr flow in the tank?

[bagemrn]

How old is your tank? by the way, dont need RO units to have nice corals. A protein skimmer woulld be nice.

29 nano 20 gal slump
40 breeder reef prop
55 corner reef only
72BF w/37 refug and slump reef
125 FO w/55 gal WD/refug