Ultimate SPS Color Tricks

[brad]

I've never seen a tank with great color and slow growth, except maybe some corals that grow slow no matter what. Does anyone have experience to the contrary?

I have seen great growth and no color. Usually with high nutrients or yellow/white light.

I agree the LED vs MH deserves its own thread, but want to discuss spectrum. Most white and royal blue LEDs have a spike at 450nm. Some coral looks great under 450nm, but most tanks look better with broad coverage from 400nm to 500nm. Again, you can do this with LED, so not a LED vs MH issue, just a lot of LED fixtures don't. I think all MHs have at least some coverage of all wavelengths in this range.

 

[Alfrareef]

Getting back to the tricks....
After getting to a stable state with coral growth and some with very good polyp extension I start looking até color enhancement but still afraid of crashing the tank.
Have looked at Red Sea Colors but still not convinced. 1 year ago I've tried AF and lost all acro. Now I'm looking at Spur2 for start but still afraid since I have 1-5 NO3 but struggle to keep PO4 bellow 0,1.
Any advice?

 

[jda]

Do you have the best possible lights for your acropora? Without these, you are chasing your tail.

 

[Alfrareef]

Yes. After Led experience I've return to T5.
I have a ATI 8x54w T5 fixture and the coral growth has return.

 

[Alfrareef]

So, Guys! Any trick using supplements?