correct alk, ca, and mag lead to better colors?

[t4zalews]

Does maintaining the holy trinity affect the color of SPS? I understand that they grow best when these are held at constant and correct levels. But does this balance also affect coral color as such as keeping Po4 levels belove <.03 and NO3 at 0?

I'm asking this because I tested my water last night and my alk was at 9, my ca was at 240 (eeks!) and my mag was at 1020 (eeks!) I had an overflow the night before that might have contributed to these low levels. but i havent checked my calcium level in forever..shame on me..so these coudl have been where they were and I noticed some dull coloration in my corals.

 

[MammothReefer]

Can't say whether it directly correlates to colouring in comparison to low nutrients, but I've noticed some montis tend to not like lower mag (Sunset for example), and like all things reefing consistency is the key. No reason not to shoot for the proper numbers and try your best to hold them there it's just one less piece of the puzzle you have to worry about if you are unhappy with your colouration.

 

[philipchan]

try to do more water changes recently, and add the CA and MG back on line.
I do believe KH,CA,MAG will lead corals to better colors,
but not just these 3...sth else too, so u will need water changes to add those back up
or u can dose sth like what I dose everyday in the pic

 

[t4zalews]

What a buffet

 

[beeker]

that buffet is the reason why i only use

Cal Alk and Mag and dose Vodka only 2 times a week

there is a lot of snake oil out there and it takes months of one product at a time to see their positive or negative effect

 

[t4zalews]

yea..i used to dose a lot of products in my newb days. I dont dose anything now except alk, ca, and mag...i should do more frequent water changes tho even if small

 

[beeker]

i've used some good products in the past

but the most effective product i've ever dosed was Vodka

Vodka has improved coral growth on pieces that had no growth for months, it has also improved color to some degree, but to me color is more based on lighting and consistant parameters (IE: calc, alk and mag and weekly water changes)

thats the main reason why i only dose the Vodka 2 times a week, because at 2 times a week it isn't a high amount to reach a saturation or have a negative affect on things and with this method i still get all the positives

but for reference i just started dosing Elo's aminos last night, but only 1 drop on 200+ gallons of water, not sure i should dose more but i think i'll stay with 1 drop a day until i notice something negative or positive

in the past though i can't say that the Amino's netted any results but i'm willing to try it out again for the next month and see