Water changes and coloration

[Salsa777]

Hey there everyone. So I have had my tank up and running for about 4 months now, and things have been going smoothly. I have had some little mistake here and there, Forgot to plug heater back in, left ro/di on overnight and flooded my laundry room... but nothing too bad yet haha. From the beginning I was planning on making my tank mostly SPS, and I have about ~10 species now. Most are doing well some are doing amazing (growth), and one or two just doing okay. I can give more details later.

I will admit I have been very slack on water changes. I have a great refugium with cheato that grows well, and it keeps my NO2 and PO4 almost undetectable, and I Dose BRS 2-part, almost no nuisance algae in the DT . My parameters have been solid pretty much the whole life of the tank, I am running a Photo V2 at about 60%.

my alk is 8-8.4
Cal ~450
mag ~1350

I have noticed some of my acros starting to show some weird/ lackluster colors lately. So I read this article about SPS coloration https://reefbuilders.com/2008/09/03/guide-of-sps-coral-coloration-make-them-more-vivid-bright/, and I started reserching supplemantation, such as the red sea reef ABCD, or maybe the lugols solution. I talked to my trusted source of info today, and he told me all you really need is water changes and it made me realize I haven't really done one in a while.

Finally to my point haha, could I expect to pull better colors with the addition of more frequent water changes, I use reef crystals? I am speculating that my corals have used up many of the traces elements and I am starting to see the effects. Is this a probable assumption? thanks guys.

My bday in is two months, and if I can pull some nice colors between now and then I will probably splurge on a Walt Disney or maybe an Orange Passion.

 

[mdlc805]

I have a 60 gallon cube that's been up for around 4 months and I also recently got my first sps. I've been doing weekly 20% water changes instant ocean with kalk in my ato and been feeding my corals 2 times a week and have been seeing really good growth.

 

[Salsa777]

I have a 60 gallon cube that's been up for around 4 months and I also recently got my first sps. I've been doing weekly 20% water changes instant ocean with kalk in my ato and been feeding my corals 2 times a week and have been seeing really good growth.

Yeah, my issue isn't so much with growth it's more with coloration. For example my pink lemonade is dark purple, and my bird of paradise is light green and the polyps have lost their color, but it is growing like crazy. Also my ORA borealis has gone from a teal/blueish green body and light green polyps to just all light green, but once again it is growing great. I have an AOA banshee and it is not showing any yellow, just light green with reddish polyps.

 

[rovster]

That's a loaded question. Can't really be answered. In theory if some element involved in coloration is missing from lack of water changes or supplementation then yes. That said there are a few tanks that go with almost no water changes that have ridiculous SPS colors but most of those are adding supplements to make up for anything getting consumed.

 

[Salsa777]

That's a loaded question. Can't really be answered. In theory if some element involved in coloration is missing from lack of water changes or supplementation then yes. That said there are a few tanks that go with almost no water changes that have ridiculous SPS colors but most of those are adding supplements to make up for anything getting consumed.

I agree it is a loaded question, sorry. I guess a more unbiased question would: Are trace elements need for SPS (mostly acros) to display their best colors? And if so, could water changes alone (w/reef crystals) provide these elements to a young sps tank, or would supplementation be necessary for optimal coloration in your experience as a sps keeper.

The point of this post is for me to determine if I should begin a supplement regime or if I should just try to start doing more water changes. As of now, my plan is to try 5 gallon water changes a couple times a week for the next two months, and see if I can pull some more color out of my little guys. If so I will be happy, if not I will move on to supplementation. I was hoping for some feedback from some of the more experiences hobbyist when making this post.

tank is 80 gal with a 30g sump, I estimate Total Water Volume at 90 gallons. 5 gal* twice a week*4 weeks in a month=80gal. Almost a full turn over this month, I may slow down to once a week after that.

 

[rovster]

Do whatever you like but what you should do is sit back and watch. I know it's hard I'm the consummate fiddler but what I've learned is the more hands off you are the better your SPS do. Develop a good routine and stick to it. Let your SPS grow a little and settle in and that will show you if what you are doing is working. Trying to tweak colors early on is just premature and invited a lot of potential problems. Learn from people like me LOL! I've nearly crashed my tank trying to screw with colors. If you need water changes to make your corals healthy and colorful there is probably some other underlying issue.

Here is my tank yesterday, quick cell pic. I almost lost a lot of those after trying to tweak colors a few months ago. A few months of hands off and minimal water changes and a little supplements here and there and tank is coming back. There are several pieces in there that look like crap because they got ravaged but I post the pic do you don't think I'm blowing smoke up your derrière...

 

[Anirban]

Few quick ideas.....

1. All kind of corals like a good balance of minerals and SPS are no exception. So, a good regimen with weekly or bimonthly water changes will bring back the balance and healthy corals will look more vibrant.
2. Not only minerals but lighting is also a good factor for coral coloration and yo need to find a good spot between good growth and good colour. Unfortunately good growth promoting spectrum is not same as great colour producing one.
3. If you don't have time to follow strict water change regime then try balling methods or systems like TRITON. I personally follow Aquaforest and currently doing water change once a month. Although I don't feel the need but still I do (some old habits hard to leave). These systems include regular dosing of balanced minerals and hence there is no depletion of a specific one and corals are happy.

Most important thing like @rovster said keep your hands out of the tank.

 

[Salsa777]

Nice tank. I love look of a rimless tank. Your SPS look nice. I appreciate the wise words, and i'll keep them in mind.

 

[rovster]

Hands off the tank and hands out!!!!

 

[jsker]

As you add corals the demand for Ca, Mg, Alk, and trace elements will change. @rovster is correct, messing with certain elements will do more harm then help if not tested and dosed right. One thing I discovered from water changes is yes your corals will brighten up for the reason the water change replenish elements. The down side with water changes is one is alway fiddling with the Ca, Mg, Alk being to high or to low and dosing during water changes or dosing Kalwasser through the ATO or Dosing 2 part. Another down side with water changes is yes you are replenishing elements and cleaner water, but also taking out the good bacteria that also help grow corals and helps with the balance of the system. I discovered this when I was trying to bring down my phosphates with water change, like was being suggested but also my fish got stressed and lost a bunch of fish.

I went back to my weekly 10% water change and starting doing elements Red Sea A,B,C,D and testing. Dosing Ca, Mg, Alk. The corals were looking pretty good but I felt like a chemist instead of enjoying the system. Then it was suggested to try the Balling Method for my dosing. So I did and my system looks great and down to changing water twice a month and thinking of going monthly. all my parameter are normal, and yes I still fight the battle of Po4's with GFO and run a bio pellet reactor for my nitrates. The main reason I run high phosphate and nitrates is I feed heavy on purpose and another reason my corals are growing.

I Used several different salts, besides the balling method I use a reef salt so that I keep everything balanced.

 

[Salsa777]

• All kind of corals like a good balance of minerals and SPS are no exception. So, a good regimen with weekly or bimonthly water changes will bring back the balance and healthy corals will look more vibrant.

• Not only minerals but lighting is also a good factor for coral coloration and yo need to find a good spot between good growth and good colour. Unfortunately good growth promoting spectrum is not same as great colour producing one.

• If you don't have time to follow strict water change regime then try balling methods or systems like TRITON. I personally follow Aquaforest and currently doing water change once a month. Although I don't feel the need but still I do (some old habits hard to leave). These systems include regular dosing of balanced minerals and hence there is no depletion of a specific one and corals are happy.

Thanks, I will look into the balling method. I am pretty unfamiliar with it.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

The down side with water changes is one is alway fiddling with the Ca, Mg, Alk being to high or to low and dosing during water changes or dosing Kalwasser through the ATO or Dosing 2 part. Another down side with water changes is yes you are replenishing elements and cleaner water, but also taking out the good bacteria that also help grow corals and helps with the balance of the system. I discovered this when I was trying to bring down my phosphates with water change, like was being suggested but also my fish got stressed and lost a bunch of fish.

A good thing is to match your water parameters with your salts, but even if you don't the small change in alk and other parameters isn't going to hurt anything unless your uln with low alk and running a very high alk salt. Not sure what you mean by dosing kalk with water changes though.

Water changes should not affect bacteria levels, definatly won't kill fish. They won't cause an imbalance of bacteria levels to any harmful extent at least. Maybe something else was going on.

OP, I would say not to worry about depleted elements in such a young tank with a few corals. I would not put much I thought in that guide for coral colors either, way to many variables go into tweaking colors and it's not really that accurate imo.
Lackluster colors in a young tank are fairly normal but some pictures or more explanation would be helpful in order for anyone to help. I do agree with keeping your hands out of the tank. Not much is required other than the basics you have covered to grow sps other than time. Playing around with stuff shouldn't help unless there is something that needs to be resolved.
Water changes are good for newer tanks without good nutrient export but you have that covered with the refugium. What test kits are you using for phosphates and nitrates?

 

[Salsa777]

A good thing is to match your water parameters with your salts, but even if you don't the small change in alk and other parameters isn't going to hurt anything unless your uln with low alk and running a very high alk salt. Not sure what you mean by dosing kalk with water changes though.

Water changes should not affect bacteria levels, definatly won't kill fish. They won't cause an imbalance of bacteria levels to any harmful extent at least. Maybe something else was going on.

OP, I would say not to worry about depleted elements in such a young tank with a few corals. I would not put much I thought in that guide for coral colors either, way to many variables go into tweaking colors and it's not really that accurate imo.
Lackluster colors in a young tank are fairly normal but some pictures or more explanation would be helpful in order for anyone to help. I do agree with keeping your hands out of the tank. Not much is required other than the basics you have covered to grow sps other than time. Playing around with stuff shouldn't help unless there is something that needs to be resolved.
Water changes are good for newer tanks without good nutrient export but you have that covered with the refugium. What test kits are you using for phosphates and nitrates?

I use red sea test kits. I may just be getting antsy. I should probably just begin a simple water change routine and stick with it. I have a feeling 10%-20% per month should be helpful and I just need to give things time to happen.

Also from what I have read the most important bacteria cultures in the aquarium live on surfaces, so water changes should not bother them at all. And i am not too worried about parameters getting off with H2O chnages. If anything they may be a bit lower by an H2O change and i can just dose a bit of 2-part to get them back in line, I have no issue with that really.

 

[jsker]

A good thing is to match your water parameters with your salts, but even if you don't the small change in alk and other parameters isn't going to hurt anything unless your uln with low alk and running a very high alk salt. Not sure what you mean by dosing kalk with water changes though.

Water changes should not affect bacteria levels, definatly won't kill fish. They won't cause an imbalance of bacteria levels to any harmful extent at least. Maybe something else was going on.

OP, I would say not to worry about depleted elements in such a young tank with a few corals. I would not put much I thought in that guide for coral colors either, way to many variables go into tweaking colors and it's not really that accurate imo.
Lackluster colors in a young tank are fairly normal but some pictures or more explanation would be helpful in order for anyone to help. I do agree with keeping your hands out of the tank. Not much is required other than the basics you have covered to grow sps other than time. Playing around with stuff shouldn't help unless there is something that needs to be resolved.
Water changes are good for newer tanks without good nutrient export but you have that covered with the refugium. What test kits are you using for phosphates and nitrates?

Re read what is posted again please.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

I read it a few times, is there something I missed?

 

[Salsa777]

Been looking more closely at this picture here. Is that a bali green slimer on the left in on the top of the rockscape. looks like the tallest coral in the tank? That guy is beautiful whatever it is.

 

[rovster]

Been looking more closely at this picture here. Is that a bali green slimer on the left in on the top of the rockscape. looks like the tallest coral in the tank? That guy is beautiful whatever it is.

My colors are not great now only greens lol. The one you are referring to is an ORA frogskin. There's a slimer in front of it but it's recovering from 90% tissue loss.

 

[john.m.cole3]

you said NO2 (assuming you meant no3) and PO4 are nearly undetectable... what are your test results for those 2?

Your statement about lack of colors made me think of this thread http://reef2reef.com/threads/help-my-sps-are-paling-and-i-dont-know-what-to-do.210035/

 

[Salsa777]

you said NO2 (assuming you meant no3) and PO4 are nearly undetectable... what are your test results for those 2?

Your statement about lack of colors made me think of this thread http://reef2reef.com/threads/help-my-sps-are-paling-and-i-dont-know-what-to-do.210035/

Thanks for the link. Yes I meant nitrates, they are NO3=.8 and PO4=.04

 

[Salsa777]

After reading this post I am almost sure it is lack of NO3 that is causing my lack of color. I was manually turning the light on/off in my refugium. I would leave it on way more than I would leave it off. I have a fuge full of deep green healthy cheato haha, but that is better than a tank full of GHA. As of today I have my fuge light on a timer from 11pm to 9am, so a 10 on/14 off schedule. I have also started doing small water changes 5gal/ week starting last week. I am going to give these two small changes a couple months to see see how they pan out.

Also i only have 5 fish

LMB
chevron tang
melanurus wrasse
pair of clowns
I feed NLS every other day
And LRF herbivore blend the other days