Better SPS color

[mpderksen]

Pretty new to SPS (1 year)

. My LPS and softies have always grown well. I have about a half dozen various SPS now and while I do see growth, and expect it to be slow, compared to the others, the colors are as amazing as many of the pics I see here. I just got a frag that looked blue at the LFS, but in my tank it's mostly brown and dull. Is it my LEDs?
When I read the TOTM, and other threads of successful reefers with SPS dominant I see they keep the PO4 and nitrates above zero. If I do that I get algae. So I use GFO and my nitrates are below detection with a Red Sea kit. I don't feed them at all, and don't add any supplements or aminos. Also, my Ca has been running on the high side, like 480.
Swap the lights? Lower the Ca? "Dirty" the water? Supplement?

 

[twon8]

What is your alkalinity?


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[mpderksen]

What is your alkalinity?


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8.1 per Red Sea test. One thing I've done wrong is separate amount of 2-part, instead of keeping them the same. pH is 7.9-8.2 cycle according to calibrated Apex probe.

 

[twon8]

What lights? What flow?


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[mpderksen]

RapidLED, 2 X 2 foot, 24 LED fixtures.

Flow is MP40 on left side (replacing an MP10 2 days ago). WP25 on the right. WXM coming for more flow options. Flow through sump is 400 GPH.
SG 1.026
Ca 487 (coming down)
Alk 8.1

 

[mabu03]

thats awesome!

 

[mpderksen]

Better SPS color

These are the lights. Anyone got input for me? This is the most successful tank I've had, but feel it could be way better.

Note an error in the first post: my colors are NOT what I see here in other tanks. That's the purpose of this thread. Sorry for the autocorrect error

 

[Browndawg80]

8.1 per Red Sea test. One thing I've done wrong is separate amount of 2-part, instead of keeping them the same. pH is 7.9-8.2 cycle according to calibrated Apex probe.

What makes you believe that they have to be dosed in equal amounts? Ime they should be relatively close but not necessarily exactly the same. A tank with more stony corals is going to use more calcium than a softy tank would so why limit your dosage? Keeping your parameters where you want them is the most important thing even if it means dosing different amounts.

 

[reelfreak]

I've recently started using amino acids and pohls k balance from KZ, I had lackluster colors at time due to stripping the tank too much( carbon dosing ) heavy skimming and minimal WCs . I decided to try the auto elements from KZ due to me not being at home to manually dose most of the time.

Very happy with results so far, and colors are coming back I lost a while ago. I too have 0 nitrates and constantly low PO 4, and felt I needed to add back.

Might consider AAs , they seem to be helping me

 

[mpderksen]

What makes you believe that they have to be dosed in equal amounts? Ime they should be relatively close but not necessarily exactly the same. A tank with more stony corals is going to use more calcium than a softy tank would so why limit your dosage? Keeping your parameters where you want them is the most important thing even if it means dosing different amounts.

I base this on Randy's article. Plus, with a Ca at 487 I was clearly high. But I've had trouble locking in stability. Finally got the Red Sea Alk/KH test, so I can watch it closer.
The system is 75 gallon and the apex changes 1 gallon/day with a DOS unit.
I can add AAs nightly. Thanks for that. I like doing one thing at a time, so this can be step 1, unless there are other suggestions.

 

[reelfreak]

What's your mag... Make sure its in line also

 

[mpderksen]

What's your mag... Make sure its in line also

Rarely test that, but I will. AWC keeps it at 1250+ so well I just don't test it anymore.

Attn Dennis: today in your thread you mentioned having PO4 TOO low?!? That's something I don't understand and could be my issue. I shoot for zero (below detection limits) because I always thought the cleanest water possible was the goal. Am I missing something here? (Didn't want to clutter your thread with my question)

 

[dancewithethan]

Light and Cal reactor

Light and Cal reactor

If you want a fast growth and color for SPS, I would recommend you to replace your light to T5 or T5/led combo fixture and install calcium reactor. I did this to my tank and wow, the different is night and day.

 

[gallegos]

Dose Reef plus from seachem. Or colors from polyplabnerd. They will color up if everything else is in check. Aminos are amazing

 

[Reel North]

i dose in equal parts, since a calcium reactors doses in equal parts. i keep mag around 1350. that one will shock you with how fast it can drop.

i agree. change to an ATI T5 fixture - 6x54w. now watch it grow!!!!

 

[reelfreak]

Mag level is key go locking in alk/ca....I overlooked it a while thinking my 2 part oceans blend was keeping it up. I was wrong and it was low,i too had trouble getting it "locked "in.

Im running mag higher than you at about 1350-1365.

Id look at a couple KZ additives....not full zeo or anything,just the stand alones. I chose auto elements strictly because im away from home 28 days at a time.

 

[mpderksen]

One step at a time, right? Indeed, my Mg had fallen to 1160 (Red Sea), Ca is 491 (Hanna) and Alk 8.1 (Red Sea). My B-Ionic 2-part runs at 22 mL/day, split into 4 portions, every 6 hours, with the Ca adding 30 minutes after the Alk.
Raise my Mg first and test again? Or lower the timer for the Ca by 25% until it falls in line? I assume the Mg is the first step.

 

[reelfreak]

Mag if first step, raise it maybe 100ppm per day max... Slowly is key.

You could slightly cut back on ca, but I don't believe its terribly high to worry. Get mag right, then adjust 2 parts as needed.

Good luck, id throw AAs into your regimine . Many people have good luck with them

 

[mpderksen]

I added 80g of SeaChem Mg crystals. I'll test and keep adding. I'll have to keep an eye on the other 2 as well, since I saw that my Alk might drop. Always something new to perfect.
Only when I get this stable will I start the AAs.
As far as lighting, I looked over the ATI option. The issue is that I want to move from a 4' tank to a 6'. I'll address lighting options then. I do dig their T5/led combo.

 

[mpderksen]

Better SPS color

I used 80g, like I said, using the SeaChem calculator. Probably take a week to get it up where I want it.
I don't like putting stuff in my ATO, so should I get another doser?