lobsterotomy
06/30/2009, 10:18 PM
I've been having some problems with the colours on some of the SPS - I just can't seem to keep reds going. Blue, purple, green, yellow are all doing well. I even have a green slimer about 16" down the tank, and it's glowing green. My yellow A humilis is yellow with a shimmer of green. Purples are doing well (all 3), and my blues are 2 for 3. Growth on everything is pretty good too. My red/orange montis (cap/digi) are both very red.
But my pink pocilliopora, pink stylophora and pink seriatopora are all brownish/pink. Any ideas to improve my reds? I've read that K supplementation can help with maintenance of reds; can anyone verify this? I have no idea as to the K+ in my tank either. I would have to buy a test for it.
Tank specs:
21g display tank (Custom made 16 x 16 x 21)
50lbs LR (yes, it's true)
4" sand bed (3.5" oolithic, .5" - 1.5" crushed coral on top)
Light: Current USA 6x18w T5HO (3 10K bulbs, 3 actinic) <- I realize this isn't the best fixture, but it was the 'best' non-MH choice. This could be my problem.
Skimmer: Tunze 9002 (coffee skimmate due to vodka dosing - 1 ml/ twice daily)
I have a 10g sump, with 5g of it being a chaeto refugium - needs to be trimmed back every 3 weeks or so.
NO3: 0 ppm (API)
PO4: 0 ppm (Hanna digital photometer)
pH: 8.0
Alk: 6.5 - 7 dKh
Ca: 420 ppm
Mg: ? (Can't remember the last time I tested)
I currently use Fauna Marin balling salts (w/ trace solutions) to keep Ca/Alk/Mg in place. Haven't had to adjust their dosage (GHL Profilux doser) in about 2 months. Fish load is light, but they're fed well. Carbon changed monthly; I just started to use GFO 3 weeks ago, but it hasn't made an appreciable difference. No other additives being used besides the vodka.
I also use ATI reef salt, which may be my problem also; when I run out I intend to change to KZ Reefer's best.
Any ideas for getting my reds and pinks to beam? Supplement K (if so to what concentration?)? Change my lighting (2 10K, 4 actinic)? Change salts?
Any ideas what to try?
FTS to give you an idea:
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll255/ashikatani/Reef%20tank/FTS26-05-09.jpg
Top down of the front half:
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll255/ashikatani/Reef%20tank/topdown26-05-09.jpg
But my pink pocilliopora, pink stylophora and pink seriatopora are all brownish/pink. Any ideas to improve my reds? I've read that K supplementation can help with maintenance of reds; can anyone verify this? I have no idea as to the K+ in my tank either. I would have to buy a test for it.
Tank specs:
21g display tank (Custom made 16 x 16 x 21)
50lbs LR (yes, it's true)
4" sand bed (3.5" oolithic, .5" - 1.5" crushed coral on top)
Light: Current USA 6x18w T5HO (3 10K bulbs, 3 actinic) <- I realize this isn't the best fixture, but it was the 'best' non-MH choice. This could be my problem.
Skimmer: Tunze 9002 (coffee skimmate due to vodka dosing - 1 ml/ twice daily)
I have a 10g sump, with 5g of it being a chaeto refugium - needs to be trimmed back every 3 weeks or so.
NO3: 0 ppm (API)
PO4: 0 ppm (Hanna digital photometer)
pH: 8.0
Alk: 6.5 - 7 dKh
Ca: 420 ppm
Mg: ? (Can't remember the last time I tested)
I currently use Fauna Marin balling salts (w/ trace solutions) to keep Ca/Alk/Mg in place. Haven't had to adjust their dosage (GHL Profilux doser) in about 2 months. Fish load is light, but they're fed well. Carbon changed monthly; I just started to use GFO 3 weeks ago, but it hasn't made an appreciable difference. No other additives being used besides the vodka.
I also use ATI reef salt, which may be my problem also; when I run out I intend to change to KZ Reefer's best.
Any ideas for getting my reds and pinks to beam? Supplement K (if so to what concentration?)? Change my lighting (2 10K, 4 actinic)? Change salts?
Any ideas what to try?
FTS to give you an idea:
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll255/ashikatani/Reef%20tank/FTS26-05-09.jpg
Top down of the front half:
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll255/ashikatani/Reef%20tank/topdown26-05-09.jpg