SPS Color theroies

[heller792]

I would like a general reply based on what worked for you guys. I am currently running the following

2x250w blv nepturion
4x 39w actincs
no3- 0
phos - 0
Kh- 9
mag-450
cal - 420

I do have some decent colour but would like more so thats were you guys come in.

Dave

[ryshark]

I dont think your mag could be 450, do you mean 1450? I know stability in these numbers affects color, plus coral food and/or fish bio load.

[heller792]

duh sorry, yeah 1450

[mark728]

1st off can you post a pic of you tank and some closeups of the sps that are faded and a pic of the underside of one that faded,your levels all look good I would guess red bugs or afew(acro eating flat worms) 1st get a good size magnifying glass and look at some of sps your looking small red specks,then get a turkey baster and blast some of the sps and see if you have afew they will be flat,white ,approx 1/4 in long.

[29reef]

How big is your aquarium? How long have you been keeping sps corals in it? +1 to check for pests.

[heller792]

My tank is 39Lx21Dx27H and its not so much that there faded its more that i want deeper colours. For example i have a bluetip stag but i see so many tanks where the stems are the same colour as the tips. I will post some pics in a sec.

Dave

[heller792]

heres the pics

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r413/heller792/Untitled_Panorama1copy.jpg

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r413/heller792/Picture029.jpg

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r413/heller792/1.jpg

coral i was talking about
http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r413/heller792/7.jpg

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r413/heller792/5.jpg

It wasnt so much i have a prob with my corals i was just wanting to speak to you guys on getting deeper colour and your opinions as to what effects it.

[jbird69]

What kelvin temp is you MH?

Your tank looks really nice!

[heller792]

10k

[Lariviere]

what's the name of the 3rd picture coral ?

[heller792]

dont know, its just some type of acropora

[jbird69]

10k

I honestly believe this is your problem. You will get good growth and less color with this bulb. Even with actinic suppliment. If you went to a 14k youd probably start seeing better color. In my totally biased opinion, a radium bulb is the ultimate in MH.

[elijaher]

I honestly believe this is your problem. You will get good growth and less color with this bulb. Even with actinic suppliment. If you went to a 14k youd probably start seeing better color. In my totally biased opinion, a radium bulb is the ultimate in MH.+1 14k will help on colors.

[LikeitSoft]

I like using 20k bulbs. I would also consider using radiums as they get the best color for me

[Gary Majchrzak]

what's growing on the right side of the aquarium.... Xenia?

[heller792]

if you mean the left then yes xenia, i used to keep it just on the wier but ive seen some fantastic sps tanks with xenia filing all the gaps that i decided to let it grow.

Dave

[heller792]

also guys in the first pic you can see a maricultured yrllow acropora that i had added that week, this coral is now more green than yellow. How has this happened and will it return to yellow.

Dave

[shaggy14]

what's the name of the 3rd picture coral ?

it looks similar to my ORA turquoise stag IMO

[Denadai]

It´s a matter of taste

IMO the best for color is 10K XM with actinic, very nice looking

For example, with 20K you lost the pink color, but green will be better


Best Regards

[Reef Bass]

My opinion, +1 for 10,000K bulbs being your problem. Go with 20,000K bulbs for deeper, more intense color, including pinks. Here's my pink milli under 20,000K XMs:

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk247/KenBull/SPS/PeachMilleporazoom14s.jpg

[Gary Majchrzak]

reds/pinks/yellows usually look more intense under lower kelvin.

blues/greens/purples are more pronounced under higher kelvin.

[serpentman]

Personally, I find I get the best color with NO3 between 2.5-5ppm. The trick is to keep PO4 in check.

[Gary Majchrzak]

Personally, I find I get the best color with NO3 between 2.5-5ppm. The trick is to keep PO4 in check.
now your talkin'.

[purebullet417]

+1 on the 14ks i switched to ushios 14k and LOVE the color im getting now

[thedoctor06]

I'd be thrilled if my tank and coral loked that good