Getting REALLY frustrated

[Jackwkahn]

I agree with cutting back the photoperiod. Also, have you tried dosing Iodine or other trace elements? perhaps the nsw you use is deficient in these

 

[PDAlber]

I have never dosed anything other than alkalinity, magnesium and calcium.

 

[Rogger Castells]

Did you say you have 0 readings with a Phosphate hanna test, is that 0.00? if so, I am pretty sure that is your problem, I once did that mistake of completing eliminating the Phosphates in my tank and everything lost colors right away, I now keep them between 0.03 and .12.
I believe you mentioned that you had two gfo reactors, try eliminating one or change it to a carbon reactor.
You could also turn your lights off for a couple of days to get the deeper color on your corals, it will definitely take the pale away.
Good luck!

 

[marke]

As a few have mentioned. Whats your nitrate level? Get a salifert nitrate test kit. Or have someone test if for you.

 

[Biggar]

One last thought. Are you sure neither of the sump or display have been treated for Ick. A copper based product. Or Malachite green + methylene blue.

Something might be leeching into the system.

I hope you figure it out

 

[PDAlber]

Did you say you have 0 readings with a Phosphate hanna test, is that 0.00? if so, I am pretty sure that is your problem, I once did that mistake of completing eliminating the Phosphates in my tank and everything lost colors right away, I now keep them between 0.03 and .12.
I believe you mentioned that you had two gfo reactors, try eliminating one or change it to a carbon reactor.
You could also turn your lights off for a couple of days to get the deeper color on your corals, it will definitely take the pale away.
Good luck!

I just checked and the reading was 0.07 on the Hanna meter. I have had readings approaching zero, though. Only one of the reactors has GFO, there's carbon in the other. It's been a couple of weeks since I changed out the GFO and I didn't use as much this time as I have in the past. I'll monitor it more carefully and keep the levels in that range. I've also dialed back the photoperiod a couple of hours.

Biggar, as far as I know, there have never been any ich treatments in the tank. I bought the setup used. I know the rocks and sand have never been exposed.