Corals Coloring Down - Before and After Pics

halperin · Feb 6, 2015

75 gallon tank. 3 years old. have always seemed to have this problem. these are two examples of corals that have colored down. i have a red war coral that has been encrusting nicely but also went from a brighter red to a dull dark redish purple

4 t5

ati blue plus
ati coral plus
ati aqua blue special
ati blue plus

any ideas?

here are before and after pics. the acros colored down over the course of about 2 weeks after getting them. parameters are all inline. i have a good company that does weekly maintenance and keeps all parameters in check and about once a month water changes.

deerhunter06 · Feb 6, 2015

Water might be too clean do you add potassium ? Or aminos?

deerhunter06 · Feb 6, 2015

A lot of ppl accuse aminos of browning out corals also u need a bit of nitrates and phosphates to really color up sps also potassium will help pop out the blues

BrotherReef · Feb 6, 2015

deerhunter06 said:
Water might be too clean do you add potassium ? Or aminos?

deerhunter06 said:
A lot of ppl accuse aminos of browning out corals also u need a bit of nitrates and phosphates to really color up sps also potassium will help pop out the blues

I'd have to agree. I had corals start to brown out or stn from the bottom because my water was to clean. But once I moved them to my main display they have slowly started to color back. They are still brown but I see polyp extention when before I didn't.

halperin · Feb 7, 2015

I dont think my guy adds potassium or aminos. I'll ask him about ot. But you would recommend adding potassium and not add aminoss i tske it?

How can I prevent my water from being too clean? Less water changes? I do once a month and run gfo. I believe he keeps my nitrates as close to 0 as possible.

deerhunter06 · Feb 7, 2015

Take out the gfo for sure

deerhunter06 · Feb 7, 2015

Definitely keep up the water changes as scheduled just pull the gfo.

that Reef Guy · Feb 7, 2015

deerhunter06 said:
Take out the gfo for sure

Why take out the GFO?

deerhunter06 · Feb 7, 2015

Because its taking out all the phosphates

deerhunter06 · Feb 7, 2015

I would never recommend running gfo 24/7 I have seen so many cases of ppl who get algae problems and start running gfo and bam tons of dead sps. I think gfo needs to be used in moderation

BigJim · Feb 7, 2015

Do you know your parameters? Can you post them if you do? It's difficult to give sound advice without knowing the chemistry of your tank. How many watts are the T5s? You might be able to add some LED strips or additional T5s to color up the corals.

that Reef Guy · Feb 7, 2015

that Reef Guy said:
Why take out the GFO?

How do you know what his Phosphates are when he never listed it?

deerhunter06 · Feb 7, 2015

I don't but that's what gfo does why do I feel like u are challenging me.

arnel0387 · Feb 7, 2015

Before you add or remove things, what are your actual tank parameters?

Calcium?
Alkalinity?
Magnesium?
Nitrate?
Phosphate?
Potassium?

More tank info would be helpful!

that Reef Guy · Feb 7, 2015

deerhunter06 said:
I don't but that's what gfo does why do I feel like u are challenging me.

Because he talked about using GFO but didn't state Phosphate Levels.

Maybe they are high and need to be lowered (GFO).

And maybe they are Zero and he should stop using them.

I am not saying that you are right or wrong I am just saying you shouldn't tell someone to do something without knowing parameters first because it could make things worse.

FX CharityCorals · Feb 8, 2015

My observation is you have to much phosphate or organics in the water because you have red slime on your rocks and looks like your sand bed does not get siphoned. Find out actual numbers or better yet a second opinion test not from the maintenance company.

JMacedo · Feb 9, 2015

Hi Halperin, what is the photoperiod, tank depth, flow, how many fish and what do you feed your fish and corals with? Each tank is so different... everything plays a part and there is no magic formula. I try to keep things as simple as possible and it is working fine for me. Photoperiod, flow, low nutrients, no pests, salinity, Alk and stability are the most important things for my tank. I don't add anything besides what is in my home-made food and my Ca reactor provides + weekly water changes and things are fine. Hope you find the necessary balance but make only small changes, one at the time and give it time. Hope things will improve.

MBG75 · Feb 9, 2015

For a 75, I would say 4 bulbs are not enough for SPS.

Av8Bluewater · Feb 9, 2015

MBG75 said:
For a 75, I would say 4 bulbs are not enough for SPS.

Really? What kind of PAR does 4 bulbs produce? I have 8 on my 215 and have to raise the lights to 10-12" or it will burn corals on the bottom. 500 PAR on the bottom.

OP . .. More of a run down of you system would help.
How are you exporting nutrients?
Any known pests like red planaria?
How much of a water change are they doing and do you do anything yourself in between like powerhead the rocks?
THere's all sorts of other questions I have but it could go on a long list. Try to tell more about your system and routine.