Greenstar polyps are getting smaller!

[philosophicles]

I have had healthy greenstar polyps in my reef tank for a couple of years now and it grew quit a bit, but for the past few months I have noticed that it is getting smaller and thinner on the rock. Any ideas what could be the problem? I have been feeding it with Kent Marine Phytoplex and baby brine shrimp. I have been adding Strontium, Calcium, and Iodine as directed, and am not sure if I should be adding something else. I keep the Sp. gravity at 1.021, and the pH at around 8.2, and keep the temp. at around 84-85 degrees F. I have plenty of florescent light. It's seem healthy and happy, except for the slow decline.

 

[WRASSER]

have you tested for phosphates?

 

[philosophicles]

I took some of my water into a pet store that does water testing for free, and he showed me that my nitrates were through the roof. The test kit I have been using I realize was not working, so I switch to test strips instead. I have had to give the tank many water changes with more to go in order to get it under control. As for the GSP's, well they are still receding but at a slower pace. I think the macroalgea might be crowding it out, so I might have to trim it.

 

[philosophicles]

I forgot to mention that my specific gravity tester was four points over the actual amount, so I was unkowingly keeping it at 1.017, when the recommended level for corals is 1.025, I thought I was suppossed to have it at 1.021. So I bought a tester that was certified.

 

[WRASSER]

21 is ok to keep the tank, for salinity. .25 is the Atlantic ocean. Depending on what fish you have and were thhey are from is were you want to keep the salinity. some were in the middle for all fish.
Have you tested phosphates?

 

[philosophicles]

No, I don't have a phosphate test kit. As for my fish they have been doing great in any salinty, and I was told that corals prefer higher salinity levels. I have been doing a lot of water changes, so the water quality is improving according to the test strips, which monitor nitrates, nitrites, alkalinity, and pH. Like I said before, the only thing that is high is the nitrates. I will have to wait and see how the GSP's do long term, as the water quality gets to where I want it. Thank's for your advice though.

 

[WRASSER]

The nitrates aren't coming down with the water changes? Ask the LFS to test the water for phosphates

 

[philosophicles]

Yes the water changes are helping everything. I just bought a phosphate test kit and it shows that my phosphates are high. I also bought phoslock to put in my filter to absorb the phosphates, so I will keep checking to see if it helps. Thanks for your help.