Vodka Dosing 30 gal SPS Reef started dosing 2-17-12

[flower]

99% of the lights in our tanks are blue, not only actinic but 20K MH bulbs as well and red corals do not look good under blue lights. The yellow look folks complain about in 10K bulbs are actually better to see the corals. JMO

 

[lubeck]

But why the color change from pics? Will it come back

 

[lubeck]

I need some help. I need to know if I should be concerned of the color loss on the sps corals due to lack of light, too much light, food or something else. Or is it normal for when carbon dosing first starts for color loss. I can say that polyp extension is now 5 x better than before but the color really is less intense but shows decent signs if growth. Any help would be great

 

[gemmy]

I would post some pics.

 

[lubeck]

Pics on page one

 

[gemmy]

I meant before dosing and after.

 

[lubeck]

I did. The first couple sets are the same corals

 

[gemmy]

What lighting do you have (did not see it mentioned)? Water parameters (actual numbers)? I would be somewhat concerned about the lack of color.

 

[lubeck]

Light is 3- 150 kessils and the stock t5 vho GLO light over a 30 gal. Yestarday param.
Cal-420
Alk 9.2
Mag 1410
Ph 8.2
Temp 80.7
Sg 1.025
Amo 0
Trite 0
Trate 1
Phos .05

 

[lubeck]

I failed to mention I borrowed a par meter and measured that we're my corals are now is over 350 when all the lights are on. Averages mid tank around 275

 

[spanko]

As a generalization, SPS will go brown if it is starving for light. Too much light and/or not enough food and SPS will go light.

 

[lubeck]

Thanks. Based on this generalization, I feel it must be due to too much light. I feed daily ( in fairly large amounts) a rotation of cyclopeez, marine snow, mysis shrimp and phyto plankton. Sometimes in broadcasted but at least twice a week I direct feed each sps. Thoughts?

 

[lubeck]

look at the difference.. the birds nest by far is doing the best... its def working

holy crap look at the diff







my colors suck i wonder if i reduce the amount of time the lights are one it will help color them back up... last one

 

[lubeck]

No love, hate or suggestion, really?

 

[lubeck]

Im thinking about adding sugar and vinegar to the vodka....do you think i need to reduce dosage or can i continue at .8ml 2x per day?

 

[ibew41]

po4 at .05 is still high for sps aim for .02 what test kits are you using?

 

[lubeck]

Salifert

 

[lubeck]

Spanko did you start adding vinegar and sugar yet? Did you have to cut back your dosage or maintain at 1 ml 2x a day?

 

[lubeck]

update: ive started to add vinegar and sugar to the vodka. Started on April 1, 201..... dosage is .8ml twice a day..... pics coming this weekend....

 

[lubeck]

im getting a cyno break out.... not sure if i should just keep going or what? i have some pics coming but i have a feeling that adding the sugar or vinager is taking the color out of the corals. I know that my lighting is too much but i have added egg crate for the last two weeks. good growth but bad color on almost all the corals...any suggestions on these issues?