Too much or too little?

[paveking1]

I have a standard 220 gal oceanic tank.I can't seem to get the wow factor on the color of my corals.I have 3x250 with 14k phoenix bulbs & 4 dual 96watt acintics .That light is towards the back of tank.I also run a solaris g series light towards the front.doing the calculations that is around 1700 watts over the tank.that is about 8.5 watts per gallon if i go bye 200 gals .What is the recommended watt per gallon?do i have enough or not?

 

[Logzor]

In my opinion you can get great coloration with +/- a given amount of light, within reason.

Generally 4-5 wpg is good. I have colorful sps in my 55 gallon with 4x54 T5's. Blasting a coral with tons of light can help it grow very fast and color up but it also needs nutrition at an equal factor.

I believe your issue may be with low nutrient levels, increase feeding and see how that does. What is your in tank GPH, how are your powerheads aimed (pics would help)?

From what I have read about SPS, 60% of their "diet" is what they filter out from the water, the rest is photosynthetic.

So, main issues to look at:

1. Feeding
2. Phosphates and other parameters
3. Flow

 

[paveking1]

I run 4 tunzes 6100 & my blue line 100 which is rated at 2000 gals per hour.My nitrates are at 10 now but they have always been a little high.my powerheads are running one 3/4 down & one 1/4 down on side panes.Phosphates are at 0 .I run a 75 gallon refugium hooked into main tank.It also has a 6" bed in the fuge.My ph is 8.34 & 8.14at night .Cal 480 mag 1440 .

 

[TheMcs]

See quote below regarding the bulk of your conversation.

As far as lighting, you need to look at PAR. As for color, look at degrees Kelvin as well as other factors linked to coloration (phosphates, magnesium, etc.).

Do you have "wow" corals to begin with?

 

[qfrisco]

I personally think you've got plenty of lights, but as for the coral "pop", is it possible that your actinics are getting drowned out by your daylights? What do the colors look like with just the actinics on?

 

[paveking1]

The corals with just actinics on look great same thing with the moon lights on the solaris .They definetly pop then.Maybe i will turn down the whites on the solaris.

 

[demonsp]

Flow is more important then light. Whats used for flow? What water radings do you tst for and what are they? Tanks age? Do you use additives? Type of coral? AMount of LR and LS?

 

[clownboy11]

Have I waited long enough to get saltwater fish if I have only had freshwater fish for 3 months? I really want to get saltwater fish, but I don't want to kill them, but I still want to get some.

 

[paveking1]

Flow is 4 6100 tunzes, I test all the essential ph monitor 8.3 day 8.1 night ca monitor 480.alk 8 salifert.Mag1440 salifert ,phosphate0 salifert.The tank is 3 years old in dec 07.I add essential elements once a week & lugols 5 drops once a week. Mostly dominated sps ,acans ,montis,I have probally 40 sps in tank & 6 lps & a few zoas .300lbs tonga fusion rock 2" sand bed in display & 6" in the 75 gal refugium.

 

[demonsp]

I say a repley that was interesting. Is there any coral that look better then the rest?
I dont say much but flow maybe a little high and or placement wrong. You want a constant flow. In my 75 i point them toward the center front from leaft and roght back side with on 1/4 way up and the other 3/4 up.And more toward the bottom to kicj debris up .Just enough to kick up a small amount of top soild but not enough to dig a hole.

I think in your tank a circular motion.Like 2 facing front center and 2 facing toward the back to cause a circle.
Then adding more plankton and cyclops is really great for coral and fish or turning the slimmer of a few hours after feeding and reduceing flow a few hours after feeding. Also feeding 2 or 3 times a day smaller amounts would help.

 

[demonsp]

Oh and then you said you dose trace elimates. I hope you test for them before you add.If your doing proper water changes with quality salt then you might be over doseing.

 

[paveking1]

Thats a good point .I change 40 gals every 2 to 3 weeks depending on my work schedule.I don't feed much once a day for fish & just a pinch of dainichi pellets.I am taking some of fish out this week i have 5 tangs ,but they are getting crowded.

 

[demonsp]

Oh and the 1 inch SB. Your SB will convert nitrate into harmless nitrogen with proper flow and minimum amount.1 inch isnt enough so you loose this vital bio filter and are minimizing amount of SB critters.

I think you have a few easily solved problems.

 

[paveking1]

It is a 2"sandbed in the main tank.6" in refugium.

 

[demonsp]

2 inch better but 3 to 4 best. 4 works great as it will never stay level .Also a daimond goby would be a great addition but not untill you get SB higher then wait a few months before adding.You may actuall want two but just wait and see .