What parameters and trace elements for richer red color?

[BillyC]

All of my reds are either pale red or red/brown. I use 250w Phoenix 14k halides and vho actinics. Parameters are:

All 7.6
Cal 420
Mag 1300
Po4 0.02 hanna
Nitr 0

 

[Dmorty217]

Your parameters seem right on, how often do you check alk and calcium? My colors were so so before I started dosing with BRS stuff, it's only been two weeks but the colors are popping and growth has increased in the short two weeks. Maybe try switching some of the colors around in the T5 ( more purple, lighter blue?) since you don't uses LEDs like most who report issues with red colors on their corals do, I'm kinda fishing.... No pun intended

 

[pakirri]

Do you feed your corals? You need alot of import and export of nutrients

 

[dowtish]

Water changes are going to give you things like potassium and iron which enhance color. But I will agree that you need to feed as much as possible and keep your nutrients low. Faded corals means starving corals most of the time.