Help me color up my SPS?

DracoKat · Apr 18, 2017

Some of my SPS is dull, almost browning. has been for a while and I can't remember what colors they were when I got them! the greens are bright and vivid, the others are.. meh. They are growing and spreading, growth is not an issue.

Help me color them up?

Params:
Ammonia- 0
Nitrite- 0
Nitrate- 0-5.0 (I can't tell with the colors, somewhere in between with API)
Phosphate- o
Calcium- 440
Alk- 7.6
Mag- 1400
Salinity- 1.025

Alternating flow using maxspect gyro. (I can see the polps moving a lot with the flow, not too hard, not too low)

Light:
Coralife HO T5 light fixture- 4 bulb (Coral+, 2 Blue+, Purple+)
SBar SBreeflight 48" Actinics

If different bulbs are recommended to color up do let me know as I do need to order more soon.

I broadcast acropower and reefroids once or twice a week. Don't supplement anything else

What can I do to bring out the best colors?
Please give me cheap/budget options, midrange options and best options (At least I can save up for the best if anything!)

Velcro · Apr 18, 2017

I'd start with a better nitrate test kit. What are you testing phosphate with? If nitrate and phosphate are truly zero then that's the problem.

jx.reef · Apr 18, 2017

I'm running the exact same light config (2 blue+, coral+, purple+) as you along with similar water parameters. I'd feed the corals more to bring up nutrients. My sps were also drab before I began feeding oyster feast daily. Since I started, my valida turned purple and Joe rainbow actually became rainbow. I'd start slowly and watch your nitrates/phosphates carefully so you don't cause a sudden spike.

DracoKat · Apr 18, 2017

The API kits (Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite ) are almost empty.. when that's gone I will buy a better kit. I do have some algae growing so I am sure there' some phosphates in the tank. just not registering with the API kit

Oh yea, I fed Oyster Feast for a while until I ran out and can't find any locally, lol. gotta call my LFS to see if they got any in, thanks for reminding me!

reeferbuddy215 · Apr 18, 2017

My po4 is at 0.1 ppm and my corals are all colored up sps and lps I think ULNS aren't the best unless u do it exactly right I like feeding my fish and corals everyday I just use a refugium.

DracoKat · Apr 18, 2017

ULNS? sorry, not familiar with that term?

I feed my fish once daily, sometimes twice if I have company that wants to see the fish. and a Refugium too

reeferbuddy215 · Apr 18, 2017

Ultra low nutrient system

Zack K · Apr 18, 2017

How old are your bulbs? I know they say they should last 1yr but they look pretty bad after 6mo IMO. A buddy changes them every 6mo and their is a big difference before and after.

DracoKat · Apr 18, 2017

th ebulbs are approaching their 6 month time. Gotta order soon. Figured I'd get some input on whats the best bulbs before I order too if it helps

reeferbuddy215 · Apr 19, 2017

One thing too be careful when using bulbs that need replacement for uv light is u can shock the corals from going from no uv to full uv

DracoKat · Apr 19, 2017

think it'd be best to change the bulbs one at a time? maybe one a week?

Velcro · Apr 19, 2017

DracoKat said:
think it'd be best to change the bulbs one at a time? maybe one a week?

It's definitely better on the pocketbook. Take advantage of that BRS free shipping and order 1 at a time. The inner hippy in me says this is bad, but I just tell that guy to shut up

Zack K · Apr 19, 2017

How many bulbs fixture? If it is 4 I know most guys change 2 at a time every 3 days or so.

DracoKat · Apr 19, 2017

it's 4 bulbs. I'll change one every few days

tjnorthdakota · Apr 19, 2017

Had somewhat the same problem, not enough nutrients. Started feeding my fish 3-4x a day and when the nutrients started to rise I balanced it out with Red Sea nopox so I could keep the levels I wanted and still maintain feeding the fish often. Everything in the tank has improved and the fish are fairly fat now too.

DracoKat · Apr 20, 2017

thanks, I'll try to feed more!

Zero Nitrates · Apr 20, 2017

High flow and nutrients

Donovan Joannes · Apr 20, 2017

Two months is too still too early to expect some color. Browning or greening (is that the correct terms?) are quite normal for newly added sticks. Once they have grown a bit and start budding, you should see some colors. You need to add some po4 though.