Why are Aussie acros so pastel and bright?

[DeepWaterAddict]

Is it because the water there is more like ULNS? Aussie acros are so pastel and bright compared to Indo ones. When I look at the wild Aussie pieces I feel like I'm staring at corals freshly out of a Zeo or AF system. However I have not seen anyone with success on keeping the bright colors of spathulata. While some corals retain their colors, many of them brown out and stay brown... Share your stories of keeping wild Aussie colonies

 

[Donovan Joannes]

I think it has to do with nutrients level. Further away from land/rivers produces a lighter and more colorful corals as they don't get exposed to nutrients/chemicals run off from industrial and agricultural activities. Another possibility is due to pristine water allowing more lights to penetrate all year round.

 

[DeepWaterAddict]

I think it has to do with nutrients level. Further away from land/rivers produces a lighter and more colorful corals as they don't get exposed to nutrients/chemicals run off from industrial and agricultural activities. Another possibility is due to pristine water allowing more lights to penetrate all year round.

Definitely like Aussie acros but unfortunately unless I run KZ or AF I would get them slightly browned

 

[Donovan Joannes]

Definitely like Aussie acros but unfortunately unless I run KZ or AF I would get them slightly browned

Most reefing system uses "stressing" elements for pastel colours. If I am not mistaken copper sulfate is frequently used to lighten up coral coloration.

 

[BoomCorals]

Maricultured are always a mixed bag. You will have some that brown or STN but you'll also get some that will morph into incredible colors. And if you can keep them growing and frag them that's a great sign.

 

[Donovan Joannes]

Most of my SPS are fresh frag from the wild. Usually the encrusting parts is greener, any new branches will color up with slight color variations.

 

[DeepWaterAddict]

Most of my SPS are fresh frag from the wild. Usually the encrusting parts is greener, any new branches will color up with slight color variations.

Yup I noticed that "mother parts" of those colonies usuallly don't color up very well but new growth tend to be quite colorful. ZeoSpur2 is pretty good for reducing zoo. I've been thinking about going into KZ or AF system to get my nutrients close to NSW value

 

[honkit]

I believe that some of the Australian exporters do administer treatment on the SPS corals they ship which explains why they glow and show pastel Colours when they first arrive at your local LFS. At least one exporter shares their methods i.e. Sustainable Reefs which doses zinc, copper and manganese amongst others.

 

[honkit]

My personal experience in keeping wild Aussie SPS corals:

Spathulatas fade to a dull colouration despite myself employing zeo type methods of dosing elements and keeping tank water at 0.02 ppm. I no longer keep them.

Tennis are a much better bet and I have success with them.

A. Microclados e.g. Strawberry shortcake acro are fairly easy to keep their colouration and grow provided your tank is primed for SPS type conditions

There are some other species which I do not have enough knowledge to identify which I have had mixed experiences in keeping them.

 

[Reefltx]

Is it because the water there is more like ULNS? Aussie acros are so pastel and bright compared to Indo ones. When I look at the wild Aussie pieces I feel like I'm staring at corals freshly out of a Zeo or AF system. However I have not seen anyone with success on keeping the bright colors of spathulata. While some corals retain their colors, many of them brown out and stay brown... Share your stories of keeping wild Aussie colonies

My lfs say sometimes the farmers will stick them in more shallow water so their color will intensify with more light.