How to get the most color out of your sps

[batt600]

Ok we all know that you p03 and p04 is all invalved in color, but what if all is good and color is there but you know you can get more color. I now lighting and dkh and cal all have alot to do with is. What i what to know is what can we dose to bring these colors out more. Im sure all would like to know ?.

 

[anthony27]

I have heard of ppl dosing color enh. products in their tanks. I have not done this I just feed and check my levles keep my alk at 11 and my cal at 480 and mag around 1450. I guess adding stuff would help. I can not sayI have not done it.

 

[daisy]

some LFSs used to soak corals in food coloring.

 

[FaviaFreak]

There is no magic elixer to get great colors out of sps other than stability...temp, salinity, alk, mg, ca, flow, proper photoperiod, nutrients, all need to be stable and dialed in to unleash the potential of acro colors

 

[anthony27]

NO way, that worked that they would sell the coral for alot more then. I never knew that, how far back was this :banghead::eek1:

some LFSs used to soak corals in food coloring.

 

[Wes]

There is no magic elixer to get great colors out of sps other than stability...temp, salinity, alk, mg, ca, flow, proper photoperiod, nutrients, all need to be stable and dialed in to unleash the potential of acro colors

+1



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[DCG1286]

There are some great posts in this thread ... I highly suggest reading it ... even though Kevin (FaviaFreak) summed it up for you.
http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/advanced-reefs/17828-coloring-up-sps.html

Quote: Pseudo (Kasei)

Observations...

High water flow- Removes waste from corals, brings bacteria from surrounding areas (LR, fish poop) (food)

Lighting- Proper lighting in the spectrums that enhance growth and color. Corals are also photosynthetic. Lighting period for different types of corals and depths at which they are collected contribute to color of same. Lighting Intensity contributes highly to color and growth (PAR level for you sci-fi guys)

Food- corals eat. SPS eat bacteria for the most part. Some can even eat cyclopseze (Observed by many including myself) Golden pearls and other crap. SPS do not eat fish poop but fish poop has bacterial matter in it which the corals do eat. Hence, feed your fish

Chemical media- Carbon reduces tannins in water improving water clarity which allows higher light visiblity for corals. This is why if you use carbon after not doing so for long periods of time, lighting period should be adjusted unless other mechanical/chemical means were employed during same period.

Mechanical filtration- Mechanical filtration can consist of simple filter floss (not recommended for reefs unless consistently replaced), micron filter bags, container filters (hate them, nitrate factories..) and above all the Infamous Big Protein skimmer. The most important piece of equipment for a reef besides lighting. Removes Tannins, organic material and fish waste before breaking down inside the aquarium and causing higher nitrites and nitrate. All of these MUST be cleaned on a regular schedule.

Undoubtably not the only things that contribute to a successful reef but also help growth and color in SPS corals. The key is to balance and consistent parameters.

Chemical additives - Calcium, magnesium, Iodine, Potassium and other additives. Of all of these, calcium addition is the most important. But again that is easier said than done. Most salt mixes will give you "close" to proper levels of calcium and magnesium for tank inhabitants but most must be buffered for correct "optimum" levels for coral growth and color. Once again, it is the balance of these that determine coral health.

Tank parameters - Everyone will have different params just because we all never use the same stuff (equip, salt, or water) at the same time from the same sources. The obvious part of parameters is one constant basis..Natural seawater.. It is used as a baseline for coral water conditions in the wild (open Oceans). Alk, calcium and mag levels will be elevated in home aquaria for the simple fact is we suck at keeping our tanks maintained to Ocean levels. WE play with our tanks to much!!

We also want elevated levels of growth, Coloring up of corals and Polyp extension the lenth of our fingers. There are also different theories as to how to get to these areas in our tanks. Zeovit, DSB, Low nutrient, Bare Bottom, Surge tanks, Heavy Bio-load (Fish), Low Bio-load (no fish).. blah blah blah...

Correct husbandry should be paramount to anything else. If you have hair algae in your tank you have problems. If you have more detritus in your tank than sand, your tank sucks... If all your fish have ich and die then you suck.. and so on.

DO water changes (replaces calcium, mag, balance alk removes waste and replenishes trace elements), monitor the coral health and other inhabitants. Changes in animal health also are indicators for coral health and vice versa. Get the right equipment for your tank. If you can only afford a Seaclown then you need to keep damsels not a reef. Ask questions, it helps..

What does all of this have to do with coloring up SPS ? Nothing and Everything... Cant have coral color if they cant survive long enough to COLOR UP. SPS can start out in one persons tank Green or Brown and turn blue in anothers. Phosphate can do that, high nitrate levels can do that and starved corals can do that.

Kasei