Looking for Brighter Colors on SPS

[btkrausen]

Hey SPS experts, I'm looking for a way/system to get better color and growth out of my SPS. I have a SPS dominated shallow reef right now, and get decent color, but really looking for something to bring me over the top. Some info about my tank:

Shallow Reef: ~55 gal (48x24x12)

Other tank: 2'x2'x12" plumbed in - has sand, rock, and a little bit of macro algaes

Sump: 40 gal breeder

Equipment: Octopus 160 Extreme, PM Kalk Reactor, BRS Dual Media Reactor w/ ROX and GFO, 2 x Vortech MP20s in display, 1 x mp10 in 2x2 tank. Light consists of 2 x Phoenix 14k HQi



Right now, I generally change 20gal per weekend. I feed once, maybe twice, a day with Rods Reef and Mysis. I'm overfeeding a little bit right now to fatten up my Convict tang that was skinny from the LFS. I also have a fairly high fish load as well.

Anything you can think of, let me know, or if you need more info, I'll answer very quickly. I thought about dosing other things, like Brightwell, or even trying Zeovit.

FTS:

 

[Frick]

I think the first thing that comes to mind is keep a very stable alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium level. This can be done by frequent H20 changes or a good Ca reactor with the addition of magnesium in a consistent way. A good quality lamp and good flow are key too.

The add some patience.

 

[btkrausen]

I'm currently adding limewater every 10 min or so through my kalk reactor using an Apex to time that, so I'm keeping a steady amount of Calcium input through the day.

I've never added or dosed magnesium. Is that something I should look into dosing through the apex as well?

 

[Alex T.]

Well, you have plenty of light. I can't pinpoint any one thing. I do think your water change volume is a little high. Is it necessary? Sometimes a tad bit dirty can really bring our some colors. I'd bring water changes down 5 gallons per week and continue everything else you're doing. Patience is key. I got tired of watching one of my acros lay dormant for a year with ugly brown color and no growth. Then this past summer it took off and started exposing bright purple tips with a red body.

Just keep up the good work and let it happen naturally. Stability over time is your friend.

 

[btkrausen]

I've always been a big fan of water changes weekly, instead of larger ones less often. I think it helps towards stability. I might dial it down to like 10 gal or so. I have a 40 breeder plumbed in for water changes, so it makes it super easy. Open a valve = add new water

I think I'm going to slow down on dosing my rotifers and oyster feast at night. I have been in an "experiment" phase with it, and haven't seen much difference honestly.

 

[Dustin1300]

I'd first ask what are your params?

I'd go get a Salifert Mag test kit and see what you are at. Should keep around 1400-1450 and keep it consistent at that number. I'm ordering another dosing pump tomorrow so I can more consistently add Mag!

In regards, to water changes, I'd say I have the same problem as you. I use a LMIII to do top off and automatic water changes and do about 15% a week which I prolly need to dial back on....

 

[Frick]

If you don't use magnesium with the exception of water changes you might want to get a good test kit. My preference is the Elos. Oceanic salt has tons of Mg, so you might be okay if you are using that. 1250-1300 is about where i keep my Mg level.

 

[btkrausen]

Thanks, I'll check to see if I have a Mag test kit. I'm using Reef Crystals right now, and have been for quite some time.

I'm currently fighting a bubble algae attack, so I'm looking for different ways to calm that down as well. I think, for now, I"m going to skim wetter, and cut back on the dosing of Oyster Feast and such.

Thinking about getting into the BioPellets as well, but not sure yet.

 

[Alex T.]

I stopped the Oyster Feast completely. I noticed no appreciable difference worth the price and it would shut down my skimmer for long periods of time. Plus, it's cheaper and easier to just let fish poop do the work.

 

[btkrausen]

Thanks. I'm done with the Oyster Feast for sure. Will be replacing GFO and carbon a lot more. Thinking about moving away from ROX since I've read its pretty agressive and too much of it can reduce growth in corals.

 

[Alex T.]

Man, I think you're right where I was before the bad stuff started happening to me. Corals were pale, nutrients were low and I went crazy feeding Oyster Feast, running GFO and ROX. Lost about 80% of all SPS in a month. All the while, I was jsut dumping nutrients into a system that couldn't handle it and voila, hair algae outbreak and the downward spiral.

Just feed an extra half cube. If all is well, it may all come back and color up like you want......like we all want (lol).:lol:

 

[btkrausen]

I'm not having problems with my SPS right now. Polyps are way out during the day, and I have decent colors, like pinks, blues, greens. I'm just trying to find something that'll bring it over the top, like you see on most of the TOTM.

 

[dieselgrk]

if you want better colors i would suggest the use of prodibio digest and optim. after 2 months i would introduce reef booster and after 5 months assuming parameters are good and N and P test at zero, i would then introduce Zeospur2.... u should have great colors then!

 

[allsps40]

I had color problems until I got rid of my 2 150 watt hqi for a single 250 watt. I also recommend dosing, potassium, iodine and AA for enhanced colors. Vodka is a new for me but also seems to helping with color.

 

[dg3147]

I second the vote for vodka.

 

[btkrausen]

where are the best articles on vodka?

 

[allsps40]

Reef Keeping as the best write up on it. I only dose .1ml of 50 gallons 2 times a week. I had problems when following the write up.

 

[reefried]

after reading this whole thread i'd be cautious about starting to add anything or start to dose other things, it seems like your doing everything right, and i'd be willing to bet that your lights are atleast 8-10" above the tank, if so then you ahould lower them to 3-5" above the tank trim, and if they are already low then your probablly getting the best color you can out of the 150's.............................

.....i know you have a shallow tank but it al depends where the fixture or pendant is hanging...........i currently run a 37gall tall with a 250watt reef optix 3 about 3-4" above the trim and get sweet colors with a phoenix 14K and a 24watt t5 ati blue plus..........and when i had a 150 over the same tank colors were pale and lame

 

[Bigmike]

Am I the only one that thinks your tank looks good as is? lol

What about adding some bluer supp. lighting? Some Antinics or more blue supp. to make things pop?

 

[reefried]

lol the tank does look good and the red planet or redish table looking coral looks quite well, but some people strive for those eye popping colors.