Sps colors food/nutrients question

[kenith]

So I've had been keeping sps for 6 or so months. Growth is pretty decent, but I cannot seem to get them to really color up. Most are pastel colors and I always thought some nutrients are enough for them to feed. I have low phosphate (I'm at about .01-.02 via Hanna checker) and about 2-5 nitrates (salifert). Below are my tank parameters- levels (below) are stable. I acquired a green hilighter acro that had darker polyps, which faded to white. I got a second frag 3 weeks later and verified that the polyps had indeed lightened up quite a bit. How can I get better/deeper colors?

225 display
100 gal sump
275 est volume
Sal- 35ppt
Alk 10.5
Calcium 450
Mag 1400
The big three are maintained via bubble magus doser 8 times a day with b ionic 2 part.
Tank temp- stable at 77
Lights ati 84w T5HO 2 bulbs on/8 bulbs on/6 bulbs on/ 2 bulbs on until off (total photoperiod at 8.5 hrs).

 

[Rogger Castells]

I always find that a bit lower alkalinity produces deeper colors in sps, 8-8.5

 

[kenith]

Roger- how about in terms of polyp coloration? I was told Alk of 10-11 would provide better growth. I never assumed it would affect color

 

[fishguy597]

I lowered my alk. to 8.9 &my colors are better. I also added a few more fish which I think helped as well. Is the tank 6month old as well? how many and what type of fish do you have?

 

[meshwheel]

I agree with Roger. Lower your KH slowly down to 7-8.5 I run mine at that range and it does seem to give better colors.....
I would also try increasing the light period. If they color up, then your not giving them enough. IF they fade more, back down and see what happens.
Do one at a time so you know which makes the difference.

 

[Rogger Castells]

Roger- how about in terms of polyp coloration? I was told Alk of 10-11 would provide better growth. I never assumed it would affect color

I have ran my tank alkalinity on the higher, middle and lower side of the "recommended" scale.
I have not noticed higher growth rates having higher alkalinity levels, IMO the advantage of running it in the middle, say at 9-10 is the extra time that gives you before levels are too low or too high, for example if you don't check alkalinity often, I will keep it at that mid level as it would allow a few more days before levels change to levels that are too low or too high.
IMC I check alkalinity at least 2 times a week and I feel comfortable with adjusting my calcium reactors drip rate to correct minor trends.
I find that the lower end works better for me as far as colors but you need to be more vigilant. :crazy1:

 

[kenith]

I lowered my alk. to 8.9 &my colors are better. I also added a few more fish which I think helped as well. Is the tank 6month old as well? how many and what type of fish do you have?

The tank is technically a year and half old. I went through several tanks so far, so the livestock and rock was transferred in between time. I have lots of fish,
list includes
3- anthias
1- purple tang
1- sohal tang
1- hippo tang
1- kole tang
3- true percs
2- ocellaris
1- mandarin
1- wrasse
1- blue jaw trigger

 

[kenith]

I agree with Roger. Lower your KH slowly down to 7-8.5 I run mine at that range and it does seem to give better colors.....
I would also try increasing the light period. If they color up, then your not giving them enough. IF they fade more, back down and see what happens.
Do one at a time so you know which makes the difference.

Mesh- I was running my lights at 10 hr daylight and 12 hr actinic. I have since lowered that down to the current schedule. SPS brown if they are starving for light.

 

[kenith]

I have ran my tank alkalinity on the higher, middle and lower side of the "recommended" scale.
I have not noticed higher growth rates having higher alkalinity levels, IMO the advantage of running it in the middle, say at 9-10 is the extra time that gives you before levels are too low or too high, for example if you don't check alkalinity often, I will keep it at that mid level as it would allow a few more days before levels change to levels that are too low or too high.
IMC I check alkalinity at least 2 times a week and I feel comfortable with adjusting my calcium reactors drip rate to correct minor trends.
I find that the lower end works better for me as far as colors but you need to be more vigilant. :crazy1:

Thanks! I have lowered my 2 part to dose 65ml instead of 75ml to lower the alk level. I will be checking daily, but I assume the small dosage decrease should take a week, if not, two to drop the levels. I will aim for 8-8.5. I check quite often (1-2 times religiously).

One problem I do have is water changes with my current salt. It mixes up at 12 dkh! Perhaps small, consistent water changes until I can move on the next salt-

 

[racedout]

Sounds more like the lighting to me

Sent from my SGH-i917 using Board Express

 

[Logzor]

Are you running aquablue special bulbs? Those really wash out the colors for me.

 

[kenith]

Sounds more like the lighting to me

Sent from my SGH-i917 using Board Express

Care to elaborate?

 

[kenith]

Are you running aquablue special bulbs? Those really wash out the colors for me.

Yes most of my bulbs are aquablue. All bulbs are ati. I should probably post the bulbs in using-