Damn the SPS game is hard!

[jawwad2004]

I am having terrible luck successfully keeping SPS corals in my tank. They survive and grow but the coloration sucks! My green slimer is more like a brown slimer, same thing with my green cap. Couple of my other sps look like the colors they're supposed to be, but not as vibrant as other peoples corals. I am using strong lighting (2 250 10k plus 2 110 watt vho superactinic). nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, phos, all are undetectable. What can I do to get better coloration?

 

[jackson6745]

Jawwad which po4 testkit are you using?

 

[alrha]

i too would appreciate better coloration from some of my SPS.
I also have undetectable Nitrates and Phosphates (using the Deltec/Merk kit)

 

[jawwad2004]

I took my water to the lfs and they tested it for me. Im pretty sure they were using the red sea labs test kit.

 

[fritz]

Melev did a reefcast about how low-mid nitrate levels seem to have caused his corals to color up nicely (use at your own risk)

 

[jawwad2004]

How in the world will I increase my nitrate levels? lol

 

[Sean]

What size tank do you have

how much flow

what kind (if any) of chemical filtration do you use?

Note: There are different types of phosphate just because your test kit says 0 doesn't mean there's no phosphates.

 

[jawwad2004]

Sean,
I have about 25x turnover rate in my tank (seio 1500, return and one mj1200). I use ESV carbon. But would phosphotes have a huge impact on coral coloration?

 

[House of Laughter]

J, huge is an understatement - turned all my acros green for about 4 months - I increased water changes and BAM, beautiful blues, teals, purples and the greens that are supposed to be green are really nice - especially the cap and slimer.

House

 

[Sean]

High concentrations of phosphates can cause corals to "brown out" so a little I feel would definitely have a negative effect of the coloration. There are different types of phosphate organic and inorganic. Also phosphate "bonds" to rocks, filter pads and such so if you do test your only testing the free agents.

I think I worded that right.

 

[jawwad2004]

Sean, I totally understand what you mean. But I dont want to end up purchasing another piece of equipment just to keep my phos. in check.

House,
I have been doing rigorous water changes. I mean 15% weekly ever since I got my RO unit back in January. I did see an improvement in polyp extension without a doubt, but not coloration. From some of the articles Ive been reading, I think my tank might be nutrient starved. I have so much flow, plus near perfect husbandry (I clean my filter socks every morning and every night and exchanged them every 3 days), weekly water changes, aggressive skimming and I feed my fish once every three days and I never feed my corals. I think that MIGHT be the problem.

 

[House of Laughter]

J, with Oceanic Salt? I would use a polyfilter to start and see what that brings me. I used to use one in my 92 and the colors were ridiculous.

House

 

[jackson6745]

nm

 

[jackson6745]

Jawwad do you have a pic of the colors you're talking about?

 

[jawwad2004]

House,
Are you suggesting to convert over to Oceanic Salt (currently using IO) and use a polyfilter pad in conjunction?

Jackson,
Whats a GFO?

 

[jackson6745]

A GFO is something like phosban or rowaphos. Would you say the coral colors are a tan color, or brown?

Also, how long does it take for you to grow diatoms on your glass?

 

[Sean]

You don't need to purchase more equipment look into using a chemical like Phosban to help remove phosphates. Nutrients could help as well but I would start by using some phosban or something like it put it in a slow current area of your filter. Do this for a month and see if you get some positive results. Keep up with water changes as well.

 

[jawwad2004]

Jackson, here are some pics
The green slimer has some white stuff coming out of some of the tips. Seems like if its expelling something.

My procilliopora and montis are looking decent (im stressing decent) but not these guys in the pics.

 

[jackson6745]

I took my water to the lfs and they tested it for me. Im pretty sure they were using the red sea labs test kit.

I just noticed this post. C'mon man!!!! test your own water! Get some salifert testkits Red Sea testkits are crap and if your corals are brown you can be sure it's a nutrient problem, specifically phosphates. Like Sean said try using phosban. That will lighten your corals up.

Good luck!

 

[jawwad2004]

Well I am heading out to fish town later tonight, and will pick some up. Should I dose that stuff accordingly per the mfg. direction or place in larger amounts in the sump?