Can't Keep Dark Blues

RMS18 · Oct 16, 2016

For some reason any coral with a dark blue in it will not last in my system. They dark blue always washes out to a lighter "faded" blue. All other colors such as green, red, light blue and purples are fine. I run AI primes and my lfs runs hydras. He does have his set to 20k+ mine are set to 18k. Is it the lighting or something I'm missing in my water that I should be dosing for?
It takes about 3 weeks for the blue to fade.

twilliard · Oct 16, 2016

I would rule out chemistry before lighting.
When was your last ICP test if you utilize this?

RMS18 · Oct 16, 2016

twilliard said:
I would rule out chemistry before lighting.
When was your last ICP test if you utilize this?

Never have. Sw comes from lfs he uses reef crystals. Once a week water changes. Cal 420, mag 1380 and alk 140. I dose only alk as that will drop about 5-8ppm a day. Wc keep mag and cal in check.

twilliard · Oct 16, 2016

I would suggest looking into an ICP test. There is a mound of chemistry information presented.

ksc · Oct 16, 2016

Those ICP tests are a waste of money. You could do multiple 100% water changes for the same price, and the results of those tests are questionable.

twilliard · Oct 16, 2016

ksc said:
Those ICP tests are a waste of money. You could do multiple 100% water changes for the same price, and the results of those tests are questionable.

Some unbiased information would be nice to back up such a bold statement.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inductively_coupled_plasma_mass_spectrometry

RMS18 · Oct 16, 2016

Does potassium help with blues? I do not have a test kit for potassium, possibly a avenue to explore?

twilliard · Oct 16, 2016

yes potassium is something to look into but you need to have a good accurate testing method if planning on dosing.

ksc · Oct 16, 2016

It's fairly simple. A bucket of IO costs $20-40 and yields about 140 gallons of salt water. Most reefers have this on hand to use immediately. A Triton test costs $50 I believe, and takes weeks to get some results that can't be "backed up". If you believe the results and any of these results are skewed, a simple series of water changes is the best solution. I guess it's also a waste of valuable time if you have a serious issue.

ksc · Oct 16, 2016

http://packedhead.net/2015/triton-lab-icp-oes-testing-of-a-certified-artificial-saltwater-standard/

RMS18 · Oct 16, 2016

Guys please keep this on track. If one suggestion of another is not your suggestion, just provide your suggestion. There are multiple ways to achieve any goal on this hobby. I'm just looking for some suggestions that I can look into.
All I want are some dark blues! [emoji38]

twilliard · Oct 16, 2016

we are not solving a water "problem" but more of an idea of a "lack" of a possible crucial element.

Bmwm235i said:
Guys please keep this on track. If one suggestion of another is not your suggestion, just provide your suggestion. There are multiple ways to achieve any goal on this hobby. I'm just looking for some suggestions that I can look into.
All I want are some dark blues! [emoji38]

Awesome

yes those dark blue issues to me points to a lack or reduction of a specific set of elements. Potassium is a difficult element to test for but a good starting point.

AdamNC · Oct 16, 2016

I noticed when I started dosing Red Sea Colors part D, my blues and purples picked up a bit.

RMS18 · Oct 16, 2016

AdamNC said:
I noticed when I started dosing Red Sea Colors part D, my blues and purples picked up a bit.

Isn't that what part D is for blue and purples? So if you noticed that increase then it's working. I might try that vs the potassium route at the testing required will be a pain.

AdamNC · Oct 16, 2016

Yes. It states on the bottle it's meant for blue and purple. And all you test for it is your Ca uptake. No need for the Coral Colors test kit. I ran out of it but I think it's 1 mL per 10ppm of Ca uptake daily.

Salty1962 · Oct 16, 2016

Bmwm235i said:
Does potassium help with blues? I do not have a test kit for potassium, possibly a avenue to explore?

I dose potassium for color in my tank but I do it carefully and with testing. You can burn the tips of your acro's with it easily.

Sm51498 · Oct 17, 2016

Have you considered light spectrum? I find that has a far more dramatic effect on color than any additive. Likely, the difference in led units and kelvin are where the difference is, just imo.

adestafi · Oct 17, 2016

where are you placing your blue corals at in your tank?

RMS18 · Oct 17, 2016

adestafi said:
where are you placing your blue corals at in your tank?

Depends on the coral and how much par it needs. Some low some mid and some top.

RMS18 · Oct 17, 2016

Sm51498 said:
Have you considered light spectrum? I find that has a far more dramatic effect on color than any additive. Likely, the difference in led units and kelvin are where the difference is, just imo.

Well all my blues are maxed out on my lights. So nothing I can do there.