Another color question

[BuckeyeTodd]

So some of my acros are still lighter than would be hoped for. From what I understand light colors are due to too much light or too low nutrients. I run two tek t5's for a total of 10 bulbs. I run four bulbs nine hours and all for 2 1/2. I used to run all bulbs for four hours but cut back months ago. Nutrients are higher than I'd like in the tank. Nitrates are about 25 and po4 has gone between 0.00 and 0.07 over the past two months testing. I have been attempting to lower the nitrates through biopellets but so far haven't seen any difference. For flow I have two mp40 and a Koralia 7.

The acros that are doing the best are high in the tank, which makes me believe that I don't have too much light. I have a heavy fish load and feed 1-2 times a day, and nutrients test fairly high for an acro tank, so I don't think my nutrients are too low. I have not seen any parasites. Currently I have about 25 acros and 15 or so are doing well while the others don't look as good as when I bought them.

I have struggled with color for over a year now. I'm very devoted to the tank, I don't skimp on maintenance. I do a 15% water change every 2 weeks religously. I have upgraded all equipment. I don't know what else I can do. Any advice would be great.

 

[DustinB]

Get the nutrients down to 0. If that doesn't help, cut your photoperiod to 7 hours. I'm currently running 7 hours/day, but I'm running an ATI fixture.

 

[Reef Bass]

So the corals that look the best are the ones highest up receiving the most light? Well, seems to me like MORE light would be good then.

Whether to add to your photoperiod, add available PAR or change type of light is up to you.

I've noticed that sps, unlike lps, in my t5 lit tank don't color up much whereas put that same frag in my MH lit tank and it colors up like an egg at Easter (ok, not that fast, but you get the point).