hi bluestar
My gonio prefer higher lighting and stronger random wave.
Place it uprighting facing the top.
try to feed phytoplankton periodically too.
Once they open, try to leave them alone and they will gradually open bigger and bigger.
BTW, your Ph indicated 8.5, hope this is in the evening when you are about to switch off the light cause PH increases throughout the day.
If you PH of 8.5 is in the morning, it could hit 8.7 when it reaches the night.
rgds
Jacky