Additives for Coral Color ?

[BigEasyReef]

Over the past month or so alot of my SPS's are all starting to look the similar shades of tan or brown. the green looks brown, blues look brown yellows look brown, the tips stilll have the original colors but thats all. Is there an additive I should be using to help them maintain their best colors ? My PH, Calcium, & alkalinity are oll OK, What else could it be ?

Thanks, Creighton

 

[jap1]

There are lots of products out there. I used "Purple Up" and it made my coralline look fantastic. The problem is that it lowered my DKH and pH to really low levels so I stopped using it nor would I really suggest it unless you have a TON of corals soaking up your calcium and stuff. Regular water changes will replace your calcium and such. Do you use a Kalk Reactor or anything?

 

[jdieck]

The behaviour you describe usually is tied with low lighting conditions. Try rising some of them closer to the MH lamps and see if their coloration returns, If so you may need to either add one more 250, change to higher PAR bulbs or switch to 400 watters

 

[BigEasyReef]

I use kalkwasser & B-ionic for calc & alk. I use Purple up for my coralline, but its my acros & stags that are lookin brown, they still have good polup extension, just not the colors they were when I put them in the tank.

 

[TippyToeX]

Well high water quality and water clarity are a big deal of course. How much organics and nutrients you let build up.

What is the Kelvin of the bulbs you are using?

 

[BigEasyReef]

most of the SPS are close to the top already, bulbs are 10k Ushios, the MH's are mounted at about 12" from the surface, give me a few minutes and I'll post a couple of pics

 

[BigEasyReef]

here are a couple of pics as the tank looks tonight

 

[BigEasyReef]

Any comments or suggestions on the pics

 

[jdieck]

10K Ushios usually have a good PAR, can you lower them say to 6" from the surface?
If you have not done so try running Activated Carbon to help clarify the water.
Also I can notice very little coralline growth. How is your Calcium and Alkalinity levels?

 

[BigEasyReef]

I have an Ehiem 2217 that just has carbon in it, no filter media. calcium is 420 , alk is 10

 

[BigEasyReef]

also, this 90g has only been re-setup after Katrina, about 3rd week of October

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

nitrates/PO4?

 

[BigEasyReef]

0

 

[jdieck]

Well that leaves basically lighting. You may want to try a 14 or 20 K bulb.

 

[bertoni]

If anything, the Iwasaki bulbs produce more PAR, and with actinics, they can give good color.

What are you feeding, and how much? Perhaps it's a nutrient issue.

Also, how old are the bulbs?