Getting that color??

[SaltwaterAdict]

^ I like your sig, all true statements.

lol Thanks!

I hope you find what the problem is with the colors. Sometimes it could be tough, but I'm confident you'll eventually figure it out! Just try not to do too many things at once or it'll be hard to pinpoint what exactly it is. GL

 

[clowndude]

Curious what kind of test kit you are using to test your phosphates? Are you running a lot of carbon?

 

[allsps40]

Alright, Allsps40 I'm going to jump on board because I have no clue why my color has faded. I know we both keep 40breeders so maybe it's the 40br curse? Were pretty much running a similar system so maybe we can figure something out. I have ton's of sps as you do and several frags have lightened in color dramatically and another acro has semi browned and a purple stylo has lost a lot of color as well. I will take pics when I have my camera handy and post them but for now i'll post numbers. I picked up several frags from Kataro (sorry folks allsps40 and I are local to each other, so if it doesn't make sense I apologize)a couple months back, a grape juice acro, purple monti cap and a red planet. All 3 looked absolutely stunning in his tank, fast forward several months later and all 3 have a complete lack of color. Now they aren't bleached by any means but just seem to have faded dramatically.

Cal-450
Mg-1500
Alk-9
ph-8.3
Sg 1.026
Top off is with kalk water and I dose Vit c. (it was the same scenario without the vit c as well, so I know this isn't the cause) all other system specs are in my sig.

I use RSCP salt and noticed a slight color change in the right direction but still not coming full circle, actually not even a quarter circle. All other frags are doing fine, but who knows if they are even showing their full potential (which I highly doubt). LPS and zoa's are doing great.

Yep sounds like you have the same problem as me. The only I see is your mag is high. What are your no3 and po4 at?? We should get together on this issue.

 

[allsps40]

Curious what kind of test kit you are using to test your phosphates? Are you running a lot of carbon?

At home I use a crappy API but get it tested with low range Elos and Hanna. Need to get a Hanna po4 tester though for at home. I do run GFO and some carbon but not a lot.

 

[dublo8]

Nitrates were barely visible on my API kit and po4 is pretty much non existent (tested at reef culture) I run GFO and have chaeto in the fuge. Low chaeto growth and GFO is changed out bi-weekly. I'm going to pull the gfo and run only carbon (rox) for a little while to see where things end up. I'm wondering if this is the problem. I also dose Vit. C at the lowest possible dosage but I started this only after the color loss happened and I had no issues with color loss in my other tank while doing this either. I also dose AA's every other day.


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[allsps40]

I have found that po4 in my tank stays at 0 even when I dont run GFO or another po4 remover. RC always tests my po4 at 0 as well.

 

[dublo8]

I hate this. So many colorful Corals in my tank and they don't want to show.


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[allsps40]

I feel your pain. Some look good others not.

 

[allsps40]

Been a while since I did an update so here are some new pics. As always colors are better in person.

 

[allsps40]

Thanks

 

[smokenax]

sounds like your system is being stripped of nutrients.

Nitrates were barely visible on my API kit and po4 is pretty much non existent (tested at reef culture) I run GFO and have chaeto in the fuge. Low chaeto growth and GFO is changed out bi-weekly. I'm going to pull the gfo and run only carbon (rox) for a little while to see where things end up. I'm wondering if this is the problem. I also dose Vit. C at the lowest possible dosage but I started this only after the color loss happened and I had no issues with color loss in my other tank while doing this either. I also dose AA's every other day.


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[allsps40]

That was a while ago I now have around 10ppm NO3. Also that was no my post but another local reefer that has the same setup as me. We both seem to be having the same problem with not getting all the colors. But my sps look 100X better than they did 6 months ago.

 

[SaltwaterAdict]

Did you come to a conclusion, was your nutrient levels too high or too little? From the look of it some corals appear brownish. Don't too high phos/nitrates do this?

Nice mix of corals. some colors look pretty good.

 

[allsps40]

While many of my sps have gotten some nice colors back there is still something off, keeping the full potential of the colors from coming out. PO4 is 0, need to have it checked again though on a Hanna. I do run PO4 remover and carbon changed monthly. NO3 last I check a week ago was 10ppm, still higher that I would like it. The pics make the colors look twice as brown as they really are but for example my Scripps is still totally brown no purple at all. So is the coral on the far right on my frag rack, see pics. These 2 Im haveing the hardest time coloring up. I ended up loosing my Marshal Island Blue Bottle Brush, STNed for an unknown reason. I also have a small spot of STN on my Hawkins, but it is a shaded spot at the base so I think that is what is causing that. The rest of the coral is growing well and has good color, nice purple tips and the Hawkins green base. Yeah some about half of my sps look good and all my lps are happy, dont know whats up with the rest of the sps. Upgrading to a 75g soon just waiting on the tank so I hope to have better results with a larger volume of water and better lighting, adding a 2nd 250 and VHOs.

 

[clowndude]

I know that you has tried everything. I know this may seem weird, but trying getting rid of the two pin cushions for a month to see if that makes a difference. Pin cushion or leathers have been known to put out a lot of toxins in the water. This might be the root of your issue since you have tried everything else. Just my two cents, but I think others will agree about leathers being known to put offs a lot of toxins in the water with their shedding. . Good luck

 

[allsps40]

My leather has never shed, I have grown it from a dime sized frag. I run carbon to counter any toxins that the corals may give off. Plus I have seen very nice sps in tanks with leathers. I also really like my large leather, I will be getting rid of the smaller one soon. I have thought about selling it and keeping a small frag but I really like this leather.

 

[JG1]

I know that you has tried everything. I know this may seem weird, but trying getting rid of the two pin cushions for a month to see if that makes a difference. Pin cushion or leathers have been known to put out a lot of toxins in the water. This might be the root of your issue since you have tried everything else. Just my two cents, but I think others will agree about leathers being known to put offs a lot of toxins in the water with their shedding. . Good luck

Interesting!

I think it's worth a shot

 

[allsps40]

I love me green leather coral, so do my clowns.

 

[allsps40]

Dam now you got me wondering.

 

[clowndude]

;-) I've seen it before where leathers caused issues in the past. It's worth a shot.