AI Prime - Fluval V

[cjackson]

Is anyone running an AI prime over a 5 gallon fluval V? 

 

Have tried just about everything to get all of my corals to open up and seems like there's no right answer. Had it as: 

 

UV:40

Violet: 40

Royal: 40

Blue: 40

Green: 0

Red: 0

White: 15

 

But it seems like some of the zoas can't hang w/ how bright it is at 16 watts. 

 

For reference, it's on a gooseneck about 9" above the waterline. 

[OfficeReefer]

What's your water parameters?

 

Are these new to this tank or did they come from an existing tank and water you have?

[cjackson]

Have had it up and running for about 6 months now. A few new paly frags and zoas that aren't loving life at the moment. 

 

pH: 8.2

kH: 180

Ca: 420

temp: 78

salt: 1.024

nitrate: 0

ammonia: 0

nitrite: 0 

[DreC80]

If your nitrates and phosphates are truly zero than that is why they aren't loving life.  Don't think lighting is your issue....but a lack of nutrients could be.

[cjackson]

hmm, perhaps. there aren't any fish in the tank and I only feed it prime reef every few weeks or so. think i should start adding some reef roids / etc? 

[cjackson]

[DreC80]

46 minutes ago, cjackson said:

hmm, perhaps. there aren't any fish in the tank and I only feed it prime reef every few weeks or so. think i should start adding some reef roids / etc? 

Looks like a nice tank.  Yes, I believe you absolutely need to be adding food more often.

 

What about some reef roids or brs reef chili a couple of times a week?

 

Any idea what your phosphates are?  What kit are you using to test nitrates?

 

In pretty much every scenario, zero po4 and no3 results in starving corals or some type of undesirable situation (dinos, cyano, etc).

[ef4life]

Best best to get a par meter to really know what your lights doing par wise.

 

i have a prime over a 5g tank, I’m in the same boat as I don’t know what intensity to run it at, my zoas really haven’t been happy either. I’m on a list to use a par meter from a local club but just not sure when I’m going to get it actually.

 

currently I’m at about 20% on all my blue/uv channels. 1-2% on red and green, 10% white.

[DreC80]

PAR meter is best to truly know.  I have a prime over my cvue 18 gallon.  I have blues at 55% and all others at 11%, zoas are doing fine.

 

You'll often hear people say zoas prefer "dirtier" water.  If the OP truly has zero no3 and po4, then that may be his problem.  Of course pests could also be a problem.  

[mcarroll]

On 6/1/2020 at 5:29 PM, cjackson said:

Is anyone running an AI prime over a 5 gallon fluval V? 

That's a humongous light for a minuscule little tank.

 

On 6/1/2020 at 5:29 PM, cjackson said:

But it seems like some of the zoas can't hang w/ how bright it is at 16 watts. 

 

For reference, it's on a gooseneck about 9" above the waterline.

16 watts is what it's pulling or what it's rated at?

 

What are the tank's dimensions?

 

On 6/2/2020 at 1:09 PM, cjackson said:

pH: 8.2

kH: 180

Ca: 420

temp: 78

salt: 1.024

nitrate: 0

ammonia: 0

nitrite: 0 

A little cool.....and lacking nitrate.  Can you get a phosphate test done or acquire a kit?

 

On 6/2/2020 at 1:51 PM, cjackson said:

hmm, perhaps.

Definitely need a test or test kit.

 

On 6/2/2020 at 2:45 PM, ef4life said:

Best best to get a

...lux meter since it's cheaper and you can afford one.  $7-$20 tops.  Ebay or one of the others.

 

On 6/2/2020 at 1:09 PM, cjackson said:

Have had it up and running for about 6 months now.

The tank is 6 months old?  

 

How long has it been stocked like it is in the pics with the anemone and corals?

 

How are you filtering and otherwise maintaining the tank?

 

Is this the same light that has been on the tank the whole time?  What was there before?  I assume it's new since you're fiddling with the levels on it.  (Something you'll want to permanently stop doing before you piss off the rest of your tank...non-controllable lights are much better for this reason.)