Seasons Greetings Browning out..

[Reef_Me]

Hi everyone
I recently picked up a frag of some tyree seasons greetings. Unfortunately it has browned out and i would really like to know how to make this coral beautiful again. I have a 30gal tank with singlebright leds and t5s 24watt 10k and 24watt actinic. Money is kind of an issue right now but i would love to upgrade my lighting haha. Because of the lack of lighting, I have it placed up high in my tank. also my nitrates are slightly high like around 15ppm.. Just wondering if it was the lighting or something else

Here are my water params

Nitrate: 15
Nitrite: 0
Ammonia: 0
pH: 8.2
Alk: ~10
Cal: 400

Also i would love any suggestions on lighting or anything else because im definitely a newbie in this hobby haha
thanks
Dave

 

[ct_vol]

Do regular water changes to bring your Nitrates down. As far as I'm concerned its hard to beat MH and T5 lighting combo. It does use more energy than LEDs, bit I like the look better. That being said, there are spectacular looking tanks using only LEDs. A lot is a matter or preference.

 

[Reef_Me]

So i guess the metal halide is the way to go unless i found a really perfect diy led plan. 150watt combined with the 48watt t5s should be ok right?

 

[Laddy]

How do you maintain Alk and Ca? My guess is Alk swings are the reason your coral is not coloring.

 

[Reef_Me]

wow i just did a water test and the alk was 16 (Way too high?) :uhoh3: so it sounds like that might be completely right haha..