Sps color

[jimidalock]

My sps seem to be on the dull side color wise. Using 400 watt MH, water params are great, I don't feed alot and I don't dose. Cal 430, alk 9.1, sal .026, nitrates, nitrites, and phos, undetectable. The tank has been up for about 7 months. The tank has been very stable for the last 6 months.

 

[Bob 1000]

Phosphates being undetectable can dull out sps.. That's what made me start using Amino acids.. Also do you check you Mag?? Calcium can come up a little also..

 

[finksmart]

Sounds like you dont' feed enough. How many fish do you have? Corals need to eat too.

My sps seem to be on the dull side color wise. Using 400 watt MH, water params are great, I don't feed alot and I don't dose. Cal 430, alk 9.1, sal .026, nitrates, nitrites, and phos, undetectable. The tank has been up for about 7 months. The tank has been very stable for the last 6 months.

 

[cali_reef]

Post some pictures may help understand your definition of "dull".

 

[mckostya]

how do you test for Phosphates? too much phosphate will dull/brown your colors.

 

[jimidalock]

Mag 1500, about 20 fish and 40 turbos I feed every 3rd day a mix of mysis, flake, and pellets.

 

[jimidalock]

how do you test for Phosphates? too much phosphate will dull/brown your colors.

Saiferts

 

[moonlightxpress825]

i think sps tanks take like a yr to mature, give it time..thats the excuse i give myself anyway, my tank is like yours 5 to 6 months old , but the color is slowing creeping in...

 

[Social D]

The trouble with Salifert is it will indeed read zero which might seem great, But if you do a test with d&D it will scare the pants off you, i thought mine were low until i used the deltec one, and i actually had areading of 0.4 0.5.

Might be worth borrowing one or buying one.

 

[prattreef]

"dull" is a very relative term-- do you mean brown or faded? or just not as colorful as other tanks you have seem? Ushio 400 W. which K rating? Are you using any supplemental lighting?

 

[jimidalock]

Post some pictures may help understand your definition of "dull".

Here are some pics Cali and Pratt.

 

[Bob 1000]

Honestly it looks like a new system with sps.. Under a year your colors won't be as deep as an established reef... Just keep up the water quality and in a few months your colors should pick up more..
If you start over feeding now you'll mess up a good thing that you have started right now.. I wouldn't change a thing.. Just watch you Pars..

 

[cali_reef]

i think sps tanks take like a yr to mature, give it time..thats the excuse i give myself anyway, my tank is like yours 5 to 6 months old , but the color is slowing creeping in...

Are you growing some kind of fruit?

 

[cali_reef]

Your tank looks too clean, a little more feeding will help you grow more color (green algae) :lol2:. It looks pretty grown in for 7 months, I like the clean look.

What brand, wattage and color rating are the MH bulbs? I would think some actinic supplement will make it "pop" more, nothing else.

 

[jimidalock]

Your tank looks too clean, a little more feeding will help you grow more color (green algae) :lol2:. It looks pretty grown in for 7 months, I like the clean look.

What brand, wattage and color rating are the MH bulbs? I would think some actinic supplement will make it "pop" more, nothing else.

400watt reeflux 10k. Thanks for the reassurance Cali. I never really know if I'm on the right track. No gha is what I've been shooting for but the color just didn't look as good as some of the tanks I've seen on the forum.

 

[jimidalock]

Honestly it looks like a new system with sps.. Under a year your colors won't be as deep as an established reef... Just keep up the water quality and in a few months your colors should pick up more..
If you start over feeding now you'll mess up a good thing that you have started right now.. I wouldn't change a thing.. Just watch you Pars..

Thanks Bob

 

[jimidalock]

"dull" is a very relative term-- do you mean brown or faded? or just not as colorful as other tanks you have seem? Ushio 400 W. which K rating? Are you using any supplemental lighting?

Pratt, No supplemental lighting what so ever. Should I?

 

[ecvernon]

did you say 10kbulbs only???
with10k bulbs you will grow the hell out of them but it just wont be as pretty as 12k-20k without supplementation. if you where to change your bulb(not saying you have to) the colors would be more vibrant and pop when you get that blue color in

 

[jimidalock]

did you say 10kbulbs only???
with10k bulbs you will grow the hell out of them but it just wont be as pretty as 12k-20k without supplementation. if you where to change your bulb(not saying you have to) the colors would be more vibrant and pop when you get that blue color in

Thanks, I'm thinking about adding atinics. P.S. my clown hosts in my xenia too.

 

[Bob 1000]

Just get a 400 12k reeflux I like them I'm currently running a 400 20k reeflux, it looks like a 12k... Not that blue at all.
I ran the 10k and thought my tank looked almost pink.. But my corals were still as good as the 12k your system just needs to mature, and don't start overfeeding you'll regret it..