Using Red Sea Color Program and Energy Program.

CaptainGregDive · 02/07/2012, 01:27 PM

I have been using your Color and energy program for the last 8 months and the coral colors look great when I first using it. Recently the coral colors does not as brigh and growth seem to slow also.

Test show all parameters are in Red Sea recommended values.

Also, When the coral was doing great there are some algae growing, but now no algae....

I have been upping the dosage of Energy regiment and feeding of fish. Is that a wise thing to do?

RedSea Aviad · 02/07/2012, 04:51 PM

Hi Captain Greg,
In order for me to be more helpful I need some numbers…

Salinity-
Alk-
Ca-
Mg-
NO3-
PO4-
Iodine-

Not a must but if you can:
K-
Fe-

What is your tank net volume?
How old is it?
What is the nutrient reduction method?
What salt are you using?
How many water changes and how much?

Give me as many details as you can.
By the way, can you be more specific with “not as bright”.
What kind of corals do you have and what is the density?
Pictures are always welcomed.
I’ll do my best to assist!
All the best,
Aviad

CaptainGregDive · 02/08/2012, 09:23 AM

Alk = 11.8, Ca 440, Mg 1250, NO3 Zero, PO4 .02, Iodine was using red sea test i think it was high last week. K is over 410. Iron was low now in normal when test after dosing.
Net vol 75 gal minus rock. Nutrient reduction method is bacteria in media container close loop system. Using Instance Ocean Salt, 5 gal water change every two weeks. The tank is about one year old. I used to feed fish alot... every day but now only every other day. I feed the coral every day with oyster feast and amino. 90% are sps. the rest is LPS and two clams. It is not that dense, but coral are growing ok. LED lighting 250 W total using 3w bulbs.

The red monti used to have bright red color and now it look more pink than red. I have some purple sps and now it have teal blue color.

RedSea Aviad · 02/08/2012, 09:20 PM

Thank you,
Now let’s analyze it, you mixed together two desires and got mixed results.
Let me explain, the two are “accelerated coral growth” and “enhanced coloration”.
For the first, accelerated growth, we are aiming for:

High nutrients, to maintain a relatively high population of Zooxanthellae that will provide enough energy to the corals for growth.
NO3- 1-2ppm
PO4- 0.05-0.1ppm

Elevated levels of the Foundation Elements, to properly utilize all of the extra energy.
Alk-12.6dKH | 4.5mEq
Ca-465ppm
Mg-1400

Availability of the minor and trace elements, taken up by the corals during growth.
Iodine- 0.06ppm
K-410ppm
Fe- 0.15ppm

Sufficient coral nutrients (Reef Energy A+B) to supplement the energy supplied by the Zooxanthellae [2ml of Reef Energy A & B per 100Liter/25gal]

For the second, enhanced coloration, we are aiming for:

Very low nutrients, to maintain a relatively low population of Zooxanthellae, reducing the brownish tint of the corals and inducing the protection response of enhanced coloration.
NO3- 0.25ppm
PO4- 0.02ppm

Reduced levels of the Foundation Elements, to lower the energy demand from coral growth.
Alk-8.2dKH | 2.9mEq
Ca-430ppm
Mg-1300

Availability of the minor and trace elements, used in the soft tissue for increased coloration.
Iodine- 0.06ppm
K-390ppm
Fe- 0.15ppm

Increased coral nutrients (Reef Energy A+B) to provide the additional energy that the coral needs to receive from the environment [4ml of Reef Energy A & B per 100Liter/25gal]

Now what you are doing is giving them all the building blocks to grow fast but keep them on a “super model” diet.
Reevaluate your goals and balance your tank to it.
Hope I helped,
Aviad

CaptainGregDive · 02/09/2012, 08:28 AM

I have been upping the Reef energy and Feeding the fish more and feeding the coral more. I am starting to see cyno bacteria... Nitrate still low and Phosphat still high. I might have to start GFO if too much cyno. I also cranking up the pump speed and bring my temp up from 79 to 80 to if that speed up some growth.

I will let you know in a couple of weeks.

RedSea Aviad · 02/09/2012, 09:08 AM

Hi,
You can feed the fish once or twice a day, no need to go overboard, that’s probably the reason for the PO4 spike.
The important thing is to know what you’re aiming for and adjust the system accordingly.
The situation it’s in now, could be a contributing factor to the issue.
Regards,
Aviad

02/07/2012, 01:27 PM	#1
CaptainGregDive Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 23	Using Red Sea Color Program and Energy Program. I have been using your Color and energy program for the last 8 months and the coral colors look great when I first using it. Recently the coral colors does not as brigh and growth seem to slow also. Test show all parameters are in Red Sea recommended values. Also, When the coral was doing great there are some algae growing, but now no algae.... I have been upping the dosage of Energy regiment and feeding of fish. Is that a wise thing to do?

02/07/2012, 04:51 PM	#2
RedSea Aviad RC Sponsor Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: U.S. Posts: 720	Hi Captain Greg, In order for me to be more helpful I need some numbers… Salinity- Alk- Ca- Mg- NO3- PO4- Iodine- Not a must but if you can: K- Fe- What is your tank net volume? How old is it? What is the nutrient reduction method? What salt are you using? How many water changes and how much? Give me as many details as you can. By the way, can you be more specific with “not as bright”. What kind of corals do you have and what is the density? Pictures are always welcomed. I’ll do my best to assist! All the best, Aviad __________________ ~ ~ Red-Sea ~ ~ For perfect results!

02/08/2012, 09:20 PM	#4
RedSea Aviad RC Sponsor Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: U.S. Posts: 720	Thank you, Now let’s analyze it, you mixed together two desires and got mixed results. Let me explain, the two are “accelerated coral growth” and “enhanced coloration”. For the first, accelerated growth, we are aiming for: High nutrients, to maintain a relatively high population of Zooxanthellae that will provide enough energy to the corals for growth. NO3- 1-2ppm PO4- 0.05-0.1ppm Elevated levels of the Foundation Elements, to properly utilize all of the extra energy. Alk-12.6dKH \| 4.5mEq Ca-465ppm Mg-1400 Availability of the minor and trace elements, taken up by the corals during growth. Iodine- 0.06ppm K-410ppm Fe- 0.15ppm Sufficient coral nutrients (Reef Energy A+B) to supplement the energy supplied by the Zooxanthellae [2ml of Reef Energy A & B per 100Liter/25gal] For the second, enhanced coloration, we are aiming for: Very low nutrients, to maintain a relatively low population of Zooxanthellae, reducing the brownish tint of the corals and inducing the protection response of enhanced coloration. NO3- 0.25ppm PO4- 0.02ppm Reduced levels of the Foundation Elements, to lower the energy demand from coral growth. Alk-8.2dKH \| 2.9mEq Ca-430ppm Mg-1300 Availability of the minor and trace elements, used in the soft tissue for increased coloration. Iodine- 0.06ppm K-390ppm Fe- 0.15ppm Increased coral nutrients (Reef Energy A+B) to provide the additional energy that the coral needs to receive from the environment [4ml of Reef Energy A & B per 100Liter/25gal] Now what you are doing is giving them all the building blocks to grow fast but keep them on a “super model” diet. Reevaluate your goals and balance your tank to it. Hope I helped, Aviad __________________ ~ ~ Red-Sea ~ ~ For perfect results!

02/09/2012, 09:08 AM	#6
RedSea Aviad RC Sponsor Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: U.S. Posts: 720	Hi, You can feed the fish once or twice a day, no need to go overboard, that’s probably the reason for the PO4 spike. The important thing is to know what you’re aiming for and adjust the system accordingly. The situation it’s in now, could be a contributing factor to the issue. Regards, Aviad __________________ ~ ~ Red-Sea ~ ~ For perfect results!

02/08/2012, 09:23 AM	#3
CaptainGregDive Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 23	Alk = 11.8, Ca 440, Mg 1250, NO3 Zero, PO4 .02, Iodine was using red sea test i think it was high last week. K is over 410. Iron was low now in normal when test after dosing. Net vol 75 gal minus rock. Nutrient reduction method is bacteria in media container close loop system. Using Instance Ocean Salt, 5 gal water change every two weeks. The tank is about one year old. I used to feed fish alot... every day but now only every other day. I feed the coral every day with oyster feast and amino. 90% are sps. the rest is LPS and two clams. It is not that dense, but coral are growing ok. LED lighting 250 W total using 3w bulbs. The red monti used to have bright red color and now it look more pink than red. I have some purple sps and now it have teal blue color.

02/09/2012, 08:28 AM	#5
CaptainGregDive Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 23	I have been upping the Reef energy and Feeding the fish more and feeding the coral more. I am starting to see cyno bacteria... Nitrate still low and Phosphat still high. I might have to start GFO if too much cyno. I also cranking up the pump speed and bring my temp up from 79 to 80 to if that speed up some growth. I will let you know in a couple of weeks.