Additive for color?

[blackthunda77]

I have some coral in my tank (greens) like strawberry fields monti, xfactor, some duncans and green acans that are really bland in color. also have some purple and reds (idaho grape, red/purple acans) that are bland as well. Anything i can dose to try to boost the color. Its a 24" deep tank with 2 x 250 (new) radium bulbs. Only dosing BRS 2 part at the moment. Levels seem to check out on both, have to check magnesium.

I dont feed as much as i should most likely. 1.5"x1.5" piece of piscine mysis shrimp about every other day and some nori for the tang. Could that be a factor?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Contrary to what some might have you beleive, I do not think there is any correlation between specific colors and a specific additive you might add to boost that (aside from a dye ).

Keeping light high and nutrients low will keep zoox to a minimum which can bring out colors.

FWIW, the lighting has a huge effect on the appearance aside from any actual change in the organism. I've moved corals to my tank from other folks tanks that never looked anything like in the original even when first added.

 

[Reef Frog]

Yes, light is the main factor in color perception. Have you considered supplementing another spectrum via LEDs for example?

I hate to recommend any miracles in a bottle based only on my observations and have never done so before. But...

I was experiencing RTN on some acropiia frags. Research indicated nutrition issues MAY be a cause. So I gave TLF AcroPower (amino acid) a shot in a Hail Mary attempt to turn them around.

It didn't help the acros at all - they all eventually perished, but several corals - monti caps, stylos, pavonas & a closed brain all acquired deeper richer colors overnight. I used less than one half the label's dosage instructions and rarely dosed it afterwards but the colors are still excellent (in my case reds, purples & greens)

Coincidence? Don't know & have no way of knowing for sure. But the change was real and rapid. The only negative, and it was really nothing, is that I got a light dusting of cyano on one rock but it went away quickly.

 

[blackthunda77]

Well thats the thing. My nitrates are undetectable, as are my phosphates. The colors are not dark brown like they would be with a high nutrient system, they are more of a pale brown/tan. Which is why im leaning towards some kind of element "missing" or maybe not feeding enough?

 

[Bilk]

Well thats the thing. My nitrates are undetectable, as are my phosphates. The colors are not dark brown like they would be with a high nutrient system, they are more of a pale brown/tan. Which is why im leaning towards some kind of element "missing" or maybe not feeding enough?

What kits are used for testing? How high are the lights above the tank? How long is the light cycle? How do you control nutrients - GFO, pellets?

Some additional info could help.

 

[blackthunda77]

All salifert test kits. Lights are about 10 inches above the water and are on from about 3pm till 10pm. At the moment i dont control nutrients aside from skimming, and a small bag of chemipure. I havent had the need to install a reactor. Its a 200 gal tank with an 80 gal sump. Bioload is relatively low.

(1) 4-5" achilles tang
(1) 4" leopard wrasse
(1) 2-3" yellow coris wrasse
(5) 1.5" blue eyed (threadfin) cardinals
(2) 2-3" b/w occillaris
(2) 2-3" firefish (gobies)
(1) 2" pink skunk clown (in the sump)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Which is why im leaning towards some kind of element "missing" or maybe not feeding enough?

Corals may not get enough nutrition in our tanks as we cannot feed enough of the right foods. Some folks have had success dosing amino acids that can be nutritious to corals. If it were me, I'd try that before any inorganic additive.