How can I improve the depth of colors of my SPS corals?

[diaman]

I have a 60" X 20" X 20" reef tank lit by 3-250 watt Phoenix 14K DE metal halide bulbs. Water parameters are within normal natural seawater ranges.

The tank is managed by an Aquacontroller III Pro. PH 7.9, DKH 8-9,calcium 475, temp 76.

I am getting good growth on my SPS but the colors are a little washed out. I have ordered a T5 HO 48" fixture to run an actinic to try to add color.

Is there anything that I can do to improve the colors of my SPS corals?

Thanks,
Diaman

 

[waxy]

Remove Phosphates ( PO43 ) and Nitrates ( No3 ).

 

[sweetnsour]

tagging along

 

[diaman]

Both phosphates & nitrates test 0.

 

[elijaher]

More fish poo

 

[caad3]

What test kit are you using? It is pretty hard to maintain zero Nitrates? I have the same problem, got some really nice corals from other members and the colors went from pink and purple to brown.

 

[diaman]

I'm using a salifert nitrate test kit.

 

[cwegescheide]

I don't know of a phosphate kit that is worth a crap except maybe lamotte. How many fish do you have and how much do you feed? Dio any zeo or anything like that?

 

[bogg]

hanna works well, do you have any pics?.

 

[Denadai]

More food

If you want zeo colors, less food, with you like deep colors, more food is a must

Best Regards

 

[cwegescheide]

Nahh I don't think so.. Zeo does not mean pale corals. The Zeo tanks I've seen with pale coloraration we're not doing it right. (OD on SPUR and/or B-Balance). My corals when I was doing Zeo had very deep rich coloration. I know what you are talking about though.

 

[waxy]

Can you be more exact on the p04 and no3?

0.1?
0.2?
0.3?

Applies to both.

Depending on the amount of corals, your fish fecal matter should feed the volume of corals you have. ( Nitrates )

Phosphates are never good, causes your corals to turn brown.

With a 5' Tank, I'm guessing you have some really large fish, or a lot of fish.

Nitrates being at zero is hard to confirm.

 

[werdlone]

Try reducing feeding and add brightwell's microbacter 7. My colors have never been better. Did the 2 week start up and now the maintenance dose of mb7 while doseing vodka. Everything looks great. If colors get pale, I increase feeding. Been dosing for almost a year....

I guess any of the other bacteria systems will work as well (prodibio, zeo,...) Microbacter is just cheaper.

 

[JMalone81]

Try reducing feeding and add brightwell's microbacter 7. My colors have never been better. Did the 2 week start up and now the maintenance dose of mb7 while doseing vodka. Everything looks great. If colors get pale, I increase feeding. Been dosing for almost a year....

I guess any of the other bacteria systems will work as well (prodibio, zeo,...) Microbacter is just cheaper.

+1 try vodka dosing.