Additives & Color

[reefgeezer]

OK, help me out. What's everybody think?

A fellow at an LFS who seems to have some knowledge swears by adding iron, potassium iodide, and potassium chloride to enhance the colors in his tanks. He says most hobbyists that are really into SPS corals do it, but won't admit it like it's some sort of secret. I've read some articles that make the practice sound viable, but I just don't understand how it works... if it does.

BS or not?

 

[Duc1098]

I have been dosing Boron, potassium, iodine, and iron over the last few weeks without much to show for it. I believe I have underlying issues though that may be preventing this. You can go to the Red Sea website and they have a coral coloration program with youtube videos that are pretty informative. Keep in mind though that they are trying to sell you something. There is also a guide on ************.com that talks about what each additive does what but I don't have the link.

 

[psykobowler]

You should start with amino acids first then go from there with additives. I believe potassium is for blues/purple. Good water quality and parameters after tweaking the tank usually brings out the color and polyp extension on most corals. Lighting and additives second.

 

[G4546]

Does he do it (the dosing) himself, on his personal reef aquarium? If so, is there any photos to accompany the colourful claim? I'd like to see how it's working out for him

 

[Setragni]

Those elements do help with color but most salt brands have everything hou need at the right levels.
I wouldn't dose anything without testing for it first.
And dont follow any advice because the person seems knowledgeable, specially if they are trying to sell you stuff.
And dont follow every single forum advice. What works for 1 may not work for you.
That guy just told you to dose amino acids, without asking how low ur nutrients are.

See my point.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dog boy Dave]

I dont add anything but Calcium and Alkalinity suppliments and food.

 

[Dog boy Dave]

Does he do it (the dosing) himself, on his personal reef aquarium? If so, is there any photos to accompany the colourful claim? I'd like to see how it's working out for him

Yea this... Before you take someones advice, look at their tank and see how its working out for them. If they dont have the results your looking for then keep looking. So many people spout advice on these forums. Search their name and you gotta figure if you do it their way then your stuff is likely to look like theirs.

 

[Nicmar]

I use Red Sea Coral Colour supplements. They work well if the chemistry and filtration in the tank is working properly. I use it for about 2 months with very limited results then I got my chemistry correct, lighting period and started to use the bottles again and it worked.

Now I use it every day as my sps are large enough that water changes are not enough to maintain trace elements. If you only have frags then don't bother as water changes is enough, but if you have many sps medium size or larger then yes it is worth trying if the chemistry/lighting is correct.

If you want to test 1 chemical then start with iodine with a pink birds nest. Worked very well for me.

 

[franklypre]

If you change water regularly you shouldn't need anything other than an amino acid, you probably won't need that. However if you don't do regular WC you will run into a need to dose what has been used up. You will be happier better of with WC IME.