Not new to the hobby but at this point it would be better if you just considered me a beginner.
Rebooted 20g Waterbox in April (new substrate but tank & rock is 2 yrs old). Coral started fine but over time started to deflate, receed/shrink. Slight bit of diatoms possibly dino on substrate in areas and some rocks. Left for 2 week vacation and came back to heavy dino/diatoms covering substrate and glass BUT corals fluffy and looking great...the tank itself looks horrible though. What's going on and what should I do?
Parameters:
Before vacation: 9 nitrate, .08 phosphate, 8.5 alk, 1125 Mg, 390 ca
After vacation: 11 nitrate, .45 phosphate, 7.8 alk
pH never went below 8 while away but 7.8 low now that I'm back and before I left.
Livestock:
Pair of clownfish
RTBAs
Tube anemone
zoas
Duncan
blasto
acans
CUC
I do not dose anything aside from Microbacter after water changes but considering kalk soon to deal with the lower pH.
Thanks in advance for your time and help!!
Rebooted 20g Waterbox in April (new substrate but tank & rock is 2 yrs old). Coral started fine but over time started to deflate, receed/shrink. Slight bit of diatoms possibly dino on substrate in areas and some rocks. Left for 2 week vacation and came back to heavy dino/diatoms covering substrate and glass BUT corals fluffy and looking great...the tank itself looks horrible though. What's going on and what should I do?
Parameters:
Before vacation: 9 nitrate, .08 phosphate, 8.5 alk, 1125 Mg, 390 ca
After vacation: 11 nitrate, .45 phosphate, 7.8 alk
pH never went below 8 while away but 7.8 low now that I'm back and before I left.
Livestock:
Pair of clownfish
RTBAs
Tube anemone
zoas
Duncan
blasto
acans
CUC
I do not dose anything aside from Microbacter after water changes but considering kalk soon to deal with the lower pH.
Thanks in advance for your time and help!!