pale sps - another thread

[parrotchute]

Thanks for all the great input so far, guys. Yes it is a new tank, so that's certainly something to consider. (my old 75 I ran the LEDs at much higher intensity)

I agree that a photo doesn't help. PAR numbers don't seem to be of much use, either - it seems everyone has a different PAR range opinion (not to mention different corals and the fact that LEDs are hard to measure with normal PAR meters, apparently)

I think that's an interesting consideration, Vipete - but, if the UV was killing off the bacteria, then my Biopellets shouldn't really be working at all, instead of working as well as they have been. If you've got a counterargument, though, I'd love to hear it - the more dialogue, the better with this stuff...

For now, I dimmed the lighting a touch, and I ordered some reef chili. I'll continue to feed heavy and monitor levels.

 

[Stolireef]

Parrot:

I've been contending with the same problem almost since the set up of my tank. Up until I read this thread, I have always strived for 0's across the nutrient board (eg. Amonia, Nitrites, Nitrates, Phosphates, etc.). I've been following the Vodka dosing threads and I'm still not sure I'm ready to supplement nutrients in my water column. I'm also not sure I entirely understand the purpose of the carbon. That said, I have upped my normal feeding. (At least the fish are fat and happy).

This is purely opinion, but I'm leaning more to the lighting. I have a couple of Radions over my tank and originally ran them at the same photoperiod I would run 400W MH with VHOs. I have now curved the photoperiod (with Radions, you can adjust spectrums over the course of the day) and reduced the maximum intensity lighting period.

Sounds like we are on similar journeys. Hope you don't mind me tagging along to see where you (and I) end up.

 

[Chris Lakies]

Well from my recent run in from pale colors, reducing my photo period from 9 to 6 hours is making quite a differance. Colors are coming back in a week on most corals.

 

[parrotchute]

Stoli - I agree that it's a tricky problem, and with so many factors, it's difficult to isolate different things. Also, with the slow reaction of corals to the changes, it compounds the problem and makes impatient people like myself crazy!

I have my photoperiod curved as well:

The outside line are the blue LEDs, with the white ones in the interior.

I'll continue to post results.

 

[Stolireef]

Here's my lighting graph from Ecotech.

 

[correctamundo]

Early on I had this problem also.
I changed my photoperiod from 10 hours (8 hour daytime with 1 hour rampup/1 hour rampdown) to 9 hours (7 hour daytime) and I saw a huge difference in only 3-4 days, I couldnt believe it.
Still debating on going down to 8 hours (6 hour daytime), but I think this would be too little. Still worth a try though.