Help with sps color

[drew567]

I have had my sps tank for about four months and the corals are not showing lots of color. I use B-Ionic 2 part buffer. I was wondering if there are any other additives needed to help bring out the color in sps coral. Appreciate the help.

 

[Reef Bass]

IMHO, usually it's appropriate and stable water parameters, proper lighting, flow and feeding that help sps to reach their colorful best, not so much additives.

 

[drew567]

IMHO, usually it's appropriate and stable water parameters, proper lighting, flow and feeding that help sps to reach their colorful best, not so much additives.

What do you find the best food for sps is?

 

[allsps40]

IMHO, usually it's appropriate and stable water parameters, proper lighting, flow and feeding that help sps to reach their colorful best, not so much additives.

I agree 100%. IMO ditch the B Ionic and get a ATO and dose kalk. This keep a very stable level of SG, Ca and Alk in a very simple dosing method. HAve lots of random flow and good lighting.

 

[smokey30]

Check paramaters, stability is a key to successful corals. Dont let you tank get too clean. I was having color/growth issues for a long time and came to find out my refractometer was bad and my salinty was way too low. Its the little things

 

[Reef Bass]

What do you find the best food for sps is?

I've had good luck with Reef Nutrition's RotiFeast and OysterFeast, and I've also used Reef Chili and Coral Frenzy.

 

[stingythingy45]

Hmmm.....I never intentionally feed SPS.
Only LPS and very rarely.
I find that polluting the water is a definite no,no if you want good sps coral color.
Check NO3 and PO4

 

[smokey30]

I find that if your doing an ULNS system it helps to feed your corals.

 

[Reef Bass]

I stopped feeding my sps for a while (months) and they slowly paled. Eventually a couple of the most pale ones died. I resumed feeding and within two weeks the rest colored up dramatically.

 

[drew567]

I've had good luck with Reef Nutrition's RotiFeast and OysterFeast, and I've also used Reef Chili and Coral Frenzy.

Thanks I will certainly look into that.

 

[batt600]

Are thay fading in color or browning out ?

 

[justinkarl]

i did this about a month ago i will never go back get an ato and dose kalk
i still need to dose alk every to days but happy with results:uzi:

I agree 100%. IMO ditch the B Ionic and get a ATO and dose kalk. This keep a very stable level of SG, Ca and Alk in a very simple dosing method. HAve lots of random flow and good lighting.

 

[sahin]

Drew: What lights do you have and what is your tank dimensions?

Also, as asked already; are the corals fading out or browning?

 

[zaheda]

My sps also need to colour up, been dosing lots of 2 part with kalk stirrer used for top up. My alk and calcium is difficult to keep up with, thinking the corals using much of it. Will Prodibio help with colouring corals, was thinking of trying it.

 

[sahin]

My sps also need to colour up, been dosing lots of 2 part with kalk stirrer used for top up. My alk and calcium is difficult to keep up with, thinking the corals using much of it. Will Prodibio help with colouring corals, was thinking of trying it.

To get good colour you need:
1. Stable water parameters:ca,alk and mg.
2. High water quality: less than 0.03ppm phosphates, low nitrates & clear water
3. Strong lighting
4. Good water flow.
5. A mature tank of at least 8-10 months.
Get the above in order and good colour will follow.

 

[lolgranny]

What brand Kalk do you suggest putting in the top off water?

If i was to do it in a 5g bucket i want to make sure none of the settled 'dust' gets into the tank correct?

 

[allsps40]

I find that if your doing an ULNS system it helps to feed your corals.

Totally agree and have found that out first hand. I never had to feed my sps until I went UNLS.

My sps also need to colour up, been dosing lots of 2 part with kalk stirrer used for top up. My alk and calcium is difficult to keep up with, thinking the corals using much of it. Will Prodibio help with colouring corals, was thinking of trying it.

Check your mag level. If it is low ca and alk will be hard to maintain. Unless you are having an explosion of growth either the kalk stirrer or 2 part alone should keep up with demands. Unless you need to increase daily dosing/kalk concentration. If your demand for ca and alk is that high a calcium reactor may be a good choice.

What brand Kalk do you suggest putting in the top off water?

If i was to do it in a 5g bucket i want to make sure none of the settled 'dust' gets into the tank correct?

I have used Kent Kalk and Brightwell Kalk+2. Both work well the K+2 dose not add any mag as it says but is it cheaper for more than the Kent Kalk. I will be switching to BRS kalk soon as it is high quality and cheap. I also use a 5 gallon bucket to store my kalk ATO water in. I have a Mini Jet 404 as my ATO pump, turned all the way down. It just sits on the bottom of the bucket, no issues with it pumping in the white settled kalk on the bottom. No you dont want it in your tank. A little now and then will not hurt anything. To minimize the settled kalk from getting into my bucket I mix my kalk water in a 5 gallon jug first, let it settle for a few hours the add that to my 5 gallon bucket. I never use the last little bit of water in the jug that has the settled stuff in it. I just dump that in the toilet. But some still ends up in my ATO bucket.

 

[bryan007]

Just a note but since these animals have mouths nature designed them to be able to feed so if their not being fed they will not receive complete nutrition which is why you are seeing the colors fade.

 

[Paulca916]

to get good colour you need:
1. Stable water parameters:ca,alk and mg.
2. High water quality: Less than 0.03ppm phosphates, low nitrates & clear water
3. Strong lighting
4. Good water flow.
5. A mature tank of at least 8-10 months.
Get the above in order and good colour will follow.

+1

 

[droth335]

What brand Kalk do you suggest putting in the top off water?

If i was to do it in a 5g bucket i want to make sure none of the settled 'dust' gets into the tank correct?

I have used Mrs Wage's pickling lime and it works fine but switched to BRS brand because it is actually cheaper and they are the same thing (calcium hydroxide).

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/calcium-alkalinity-magnesium/kalkwasser-calcium-hydroxide/1-gallon-bulk-kalkwasser-calcium-hydroxide-for-aquariums.html

Yes, you would want to be sure the sediment does not get in the tank. I use kalk in my 20 gallon ATO and have the pump about 1" off the bottom so it doesn't draw the sediment. I also make sure it has a few hours to settle out after refilling.