Need help boosting my coral game

[willthethrill]

I have a 120 display that's only about 7 months old and I'm starting to up my coral game. Few LPS pieces are doing good but I have one SPS piece (green montipora cap) that in just one month is growing pretty rapidly however the vibrant green color it had went away. Now it's like a dull soft green, even though the edges are growing out like crazy.

I did some reading on the forums and from what I am piecing together, there aren't enough nutrients in the water. Like I said, system is fairly new so there are only 5 small fish in there. In a system that's 160g total. So not a lot of food going in, therefore I feel like my system is "too clean" as dumb as I feel saying that. Lighting is 2 Kessil 360s, and now combined with a 4 bulb T5 fixture which I added thinking my problem wasn't enough light for my tank footprint.

Sorry for the long post almost done guys. Besides doing 20% biweekly water changes and providing good light, My next step was to start feeding polyp labs reef roids or coral frenzy. People online have stated that stuff brings out better polyp extension, growth, and coloration. I just went to my LFS and they didn't have either, however the guy brought me over to an amazing SPS dominated 210g tank and he said all he does is strong light, water changes, andddd the only extra thing he adds is Reef Energy A&B. That's it. And these were some massive sps colonies, some of them he said were just frags 8 months ago.

So to sum up, what should I shift my focus towards to getter better coloration on this monti I have and for the new pieces I will be adding in the weeks to come? Thanks guys

 

[FLAdaboy]

Post your levels and what test kits are you using?

 

[willthethrill]

I use Salifert for all my tests. Every parameter is right on the money with the exception of magnesium which was at 1230. The salt I was using (Seachem reef salt) was low on mag. So I've been bringing that up to 1350 the last few days. I don't think that's my issue though. Or maybe it is [emoji52]

 

[Kyle Sicard]

It would be a good idea to just post your actual parameters for: alk, ca, no3, po4 and anything else you test for. We wont be able to help much without the parameters listed.

 

[DanConnor]

Got plenty of flow?

I don't know if the LFS guy gave you the whole story, as its almost impossible to keep up CA/Alk on a big sps tank with water changes. What are you doing to keep those parameters good? Is there coraline algae growing?

 

[david p.]

i feel that 2 kessil is not enough and even wiht 4 T5... not sure. but no expert here.
i currently run radions, but before i selected those i was looking at 6x T5 with LED supplement for my 85gal.

i would also look at flow.

i would be sure for the light and flow before thinking supplementing will increase coloration. you can achieve good results without supplements if good flow and light.

all assuming your parameters are stable and in range.

 

[willthethrill]

Got plenty of flow?

I don't know if the LFS guy gave you the whole story, as its almost impossible to keep up CA/Alk on a big sps tank with water changes. What are you doing to keep those parameters good? Is there coraline algae growing?

I meant the only "extra" thing he said they used was the Red Sea reef energy. On top of the basics like maintaining ca and alk. Whatever method they were using to dose. I apologize for not explaining.

On top of doing consistent water changes I recently started dosing Alk and mag using Bulk reef supply 2 part stuff. Haven't had to touch calcium because it's been at 430 and doesn't really drop. Nothing in my tank really eating that up besides the one monti cap I have. I will admit I've recently brought up alk to correct levels so that may be a cause. No coralline growing yet, mainly because the system is still new. Only a few spots on the rocks here and there.

 

[willthethrill]

Oh and as far as flow I definitely don't have a lot. Only one MP40wQD and the two return outlets on each side. I don't have enough coral in there yet to need more. I will add more accordingly. But I placed the monti in a high flow area though so it should be good. It's definitely getting good flow.