cant get color

[saltyliving]

I have had an SPS tank in the past but my new one is giving me alot of problems. My last was kept almost effortlessly but this one:sad2:

Every coral I have put in has either bleached or browned out.

Equipment check.
-15g 24x12x12
-bare bottom
-10g sump
-tunze nano skimmer
-tek t5 24" 4 bulb
-blue plus
-aquablue
-figi purple
-blue plus
-vortech MP10
- 100% contant flow mode
parameters
alk-11
ca-420
phos-undectectable (salifert)
nitrate- 2.5 (salifert)
salinity-1.025

Now alk has been high and salinity low and was recently corrected, but i was under the understanding that they did more with growth not color. LMK what u guys think. If im missing any info LMK

thanks for the help

 

[plyle02]

I find elevated levels of PO4 contribute to browning, IME... While bleaching seems to me either light related, IE too much, or a lack of nutrients... Seems counterproductive to your situation as you seem to be experiencing bleaching and browning... I would get on top of testing for PO4, my only logical explanation. I would use a Hannah Photometer to do the testing to ensure accuracy as most PO4 test kits are a waste of $... Maybe also play with lighting schedule and decrease or raise lights to see if this could be a part of the issue. 4 bulbs on a small tank is alot with t5 ho on single reflectors, could be too much light and coral placement as well...I am sure you know the above, but this is all I could think of without a pic.
Thanks,

 

[saltyliving]

here are some pics of whats happening.

bleached ponape BN

ORA red planet

supposed to be a pokerstar monti

ORA something

***!!!

 

[plyle02]

IMO, I would feed more, set the skimmer to skim on the wet side, and monitor those corals PE... I usually find PE to be a great indicator of health... I would also cut back on the lighting or in fact raise it or lower your corals for a spell... I find with sps that temporary placement provides direct feedback on a permanent location or not. I agree, some look a bit bleached, while others look dull. Put each on the floor of the tank and raise them up each week and judge for yourself. Not an easy or patient type approach, but will yield better results for longterm placement. GL

 

[saltyliving]

i appreciate the replies. I went a head and raised my fixture from 4.5" to 10" and will slowly bring down. I dont get why some bleached and others browned out.

Heres a dumb question i have had conflicting info on when, what and how often do u feed sps. Night or Day? I feed cyclopleze once every 3 days .should i try something else.

 

[Uncle Luke]

Do you have any fish in the tank? Fish poo works wonders for SPS

 

[saltyliving]

I have a clown and flame hawk.