Fading Fish Color

[jdc_101]

Hi everyone,
I just joined this forum and I tried to search for my question, but I guess the server is too busy.

My tank is a 140 gallon with a 40 gallon sump, no refugium.
I also have a closed loop that has an oceanic filter that it runs thru. Both the sump return and the closed loop runs a MAK4 A40LX pump each.
I have one extra pump inside the tank to help the flow.
My tank has been running for almost one year.

I have two questions:
Question 1 : My fish seems to fade in color over time, I bought two Anthias (Pseudanthias pleurotaenia). They looked great and colorfull when I bought them, but overtime they started to look dirty.
I'm sure it must be the food I feed them. I feed mysis schrimp, krill and blood worms. I also add Liquid Life Marine Plankton made with Cyclopeeze...
I also have two Maroon Clowns that seems like their color has faded.

Any suggestions?

Question 2 : I can't seem to get rid of all small debris floating around in my tank. This weekend I cleaned all the live rock by shaking them in the water and vacuuming the sand afterwards, but it still didn't get rid of all debris. I use filt where my overflow goes into my sump, which I change out every 4 days. My oceanic filter gets changed every 2 weeks.
I've seen how clear other tanks gets, but I just can't seem to get there...

John

 

[fishy-doc]

first off, welcome to the forums

to answer your questions now, do you have a protein skimmer for your set-up? if not, you really should invest in one

as for the fading colors, try adding some bits of spirulina to their diet, and there are good color enhancing flakes/pellets on the market that might help

 

[jdc_101]

I was told to use the Cyclopeeze flakes by the LFS, but it has not done anything...

Yes I do have a skimmer.

John