The Coloration of SPS

[temple2101]

Hey guys, just wanted to start a topic of discussion and also gain some help from it. I'm currently running a 50g cube tank which is completely SPS, mostly frags right now. It has been up for about 4-5 months now.
Q? What I really want to know is for those who have had great success with the coloration of their SPS, what do you believe has contributed to that?
I know that water quality and lighting are factors here, and I believe, for the most part, that I have that down.
pH - 8.2
amm - 0
trites - 0
trates 0-5
Ca - 410
dKH - 7.1-7.3 (been trying to raise this, having a hard time)
---drip Kalk 24/7 w/ RO/DI---
Mg - unknown (no test kit for it yet)
lighting - 250W HQI DE 20K Giesemann
Euroreef skimmer ES5-2
15G fuge/10G sump
probably about 75+ lbs. of LR
TONS of flow
Anyway, to the matter at hand, I have not had great luck with the coloration of my SPS. Many are browning out or at least loosing their intensity. I'm not necessarily asking for a fix for my problem, but I just wanted to see what has worked for others, or what they believe contributes to their success.

 

[bigarn]

Water quality, to much or to little flow, lighting, and how often and what kind of food you feed them.

 

[nas19320]

Nutrient levels, lighting, good Alk levels along with overall stable levels with little-no flucuations are some of the biggest contributors to coloration.

 

[tony detroit]

Looks like you're doing everything right. Are you running carbon? How often do you change water and your filter pads?

 

[reefnut]

Many are browning out or at least loosing their intensity.
How long have they been in your tank?? It's very common for wild frags or colonies to brown up... then slowly regain thier color.
A far as what affects sps coloration... everything. Their entire environment.
BTW, your tank is still young for sps corals... this may be playing a role also.

 

[temple2101]

tony detroit: no, not running carbon ... I actually just started thinking about this the other day, I know some people use it, some don't ... could you explain some benefits/downfalls of it? Also, as far as water changes I just began (last night) doing weekly water changes. I plan on doing 5 gallons a week. I know many don't do that much, but from my readings small water changes weekly can be very beneficial.
ReefNut: I completely agree with you ... some of the frags have been in my tank a month tops, maybe two, with many less than a month old. I also agree that the tank may be young, however the LR was from my previous system that ran for 1 yr, and some of the water was transferred over as well. So, it's somewhat established I guess, but like I said, I do agree.
Thanks for the replies guys ... feel free to go in depth with your replies about specifics of your system and the maintenance as well as pics would be awesome. I could be wrong, but I tried searching for info like this but couldn't find any, so I just wanted to get a discussion going. If there's a thread out there already, I would love to know.
BTW, anyone using any additives, or the Zeovit system? I want to get a hold on my system naturally first, but I was just wondering what others have tried.

 

[temple2101]

Also, off of what bigarn said, what foods are people feeding specifically for SPS?

 

[temple2101]

Here's a pic for reference:
***DISCLAIMER FOR TANG POLICE***
The tang is currently being housed in my tank for recovery purposes. It was almost dead sitting at the LFS because it was beaten up by a large powder brown. I have since been very successful in getting her healthy again. Once I think she's ready, she will find a new home.

 

[reefnut]

what foods are people feeding specifically for SPS?
Most people say feeding sps corals is completely unnecessary. It may be that they get plenty of food from the tank itself… but I have been feeding mine Golden Pearl and Cyclop-eeze. They are carnivore so they will not directly feed on DTs, marine snow, etc...
for me, the jury is still out.

 

[reefnut]

Nice tank BTW, like the rock work!!

 

[dburr]

Alk is alittle low, that may(but I don't think so) have a role on your color.
On a side note, when I put new frags in my tank, they lose color for a little while and come back. Stress and the move prolly does this. Then they settle in in their new home. That may be what your seeing.

 

[temple2101]

Thanks for the comments ReefNut ... I have been using cyclop-eeze as well, but just once a week usually. I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has an opinion on this, because I'm pretty much to the point you are, not sure exactly if it's really helping any.
dburr: ya, I know the alk is low, just having a hard time getting it higher ... I can get it higher for a couple days, but it seems as though I have to keep adding buffer about every other day to keep it where I want ... is it common to use a kalk drip + buffer? My Ca seems to stay constant, just the alk that always drops ...
Thanks again for the replies guys, keep em comin ... I am thirsty for knowledge

 

[dburr]

I'm in the same boat with the alk. I have resorted to drip kalk 24/7 AND use my homemade B-ionic.

 

[golfish]

Your levels look good to me...the whole system looks good. You might try the new Aqua connect 14K bulbs the next time you change bulbs.. Your system is still very new and that's probably the main reason..I kind of don't like to see people add sps to a tank less then a year old so I'd say that's the main reason..but then I never take my own advice
I've been using the Zeovit (snake oil) system for 4+ weeks, I'm seeing amazing color and growth....If you have the same problem in 6 months you might want to give it a try.
FWIW, I'm have just the opposite problem with my alk..I want to get it down to 8 and still keep the Ca up but I just can't seem to do that with my Ca reactor...I might have to start adding Calcium Chloride..