To me there are three things to look out for when you suspect growth is sub-par: 
 
1) low alkalinity 
2) nitrates and/or phosphates present 
3) presence of competing species that participate in allelopathic inhibition.  Macro algaes (e.g., caulerpa) and soft corals would be suspect. 
		
	
		
		
		
		
			
				__________________ 
				 -- Tony 
 My next hobby will be flooding my basement while repeatedly banging my head against a brick wall and tearing up $100 bills.  Whee! 
 
			 
		
		
		
		
	
		
		
	
	
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