Water to clean or lights to bright?

[dan_k]

Over the last couple months I have been noticing a slight change in color in most of my SPS. Quick backstory in June I made a novice mistake and changed all my bulbs at once :/ my corals took a bit of a hit in color I think I can't really pinpoint when it really happened.

Now having said that I also have a problem with my water I have tested several times and even tried a different test kit my PO4 is always at 0.00 with then Hanna egg every time I test it's 3 times and NO3 is always at 0 with API 2 differant kits

Lights specs
8 tube ATI bulbs DIY with ice caps ballast I think 2 come at 12:00 then 3 come on at 1:00 then last 3 come on at 2:00 then everything starts going off around 8:00 3 then 9:00 3 then 10:00 lights out lights are about 8in from water level

Tank specs
180DT
100 stock tank (basement) 40 gallon refuge (basement) somewhere around 250TV
Can't remember what size but a monster reef octopus skimmer

Feeding
Every night I feed 1 cube of Myisis shrimp 1 cube coral gumbo and 2 scoops of reef chili and some algae on a clip for my tangs

Water changes happen every Sunday 30 gallons I have not missed 1 water change since this tank has been up yes I know I have no life other then this reef club

With all that I have been getting some of the greatest growth I have seen in my tank history in 2 weeks things seem to already start to encrust

I don't dose and I don't run a reactor

I really want to do one of them but I feel that there are tons of problems with either one so I figured a 30 gallon water change would be just fine

What do you guys think just let it be or change something
Thanks in advance

 

[mrehfeld]

If it's not broke don't fix it.

 

[saltkreep88]

How often do you test alk?

 

[iTzJu]

might want to limit your water changes to once every 2 weeks and test your params. in my system, my sps usually goes pale in color when my NO3 and PO4 are undetectable.

 

[mnat]

I would stick with the water changes. You can up your coral feeding to get some color back in your sps. You might want to look at some amino acid type products or something else more specific to acros. A lot of people who run ULNS report the same problem you have and just start feeding their corals a bit more. Start slow and keep testing.

 

[JRWOHLER]

Just keep changing your water. That is what I do, with minor dosing. What you are doing is great.

 

[dan_k]

might want to limit your water changes to once every 2 weeks and test your params. in my system, my sps usually goes pale in color when my NO3 and PO4 are undetectable.

I was thinking that but maybe I will try to feed more and still do my weekly water change

How often do you test alk?

Joe my dkh is about 8.00 I usually test once a week

I would stick with the water changes. You can up your coral feeding to get some color back in your sps. You might want to look at some amino acid type products or something else more specific to acros. A lot of people who run ULNS report the same problem you have and just start feeding their corals a bit more. Start slow and keep testing.

Thanks mike I will try to maybe spot feed some corals what aminos do you dose?

Just keep changing your water. That is what I do, with minor dosing. What you are doing is great.

thank you I spend a good amount of time every night with my tank it's my baby I figured weekly water changes are a good thing

 

[Hockeynut]

Get more fish, I don't know how many fish you have or how big they are but more fish means more fish poo better color sps. Jmo

 

[motortrendz]

A little dirt is good. Lol. Meaning I like to see something on my nitrates and I like to see po4 actually between 0.04-0.08 I've had the best coloration. You start to border the ULNS when you have zero's across the board and it Continues in that pattern for a long time. Zooanthelae will start to thin and bright lights will then start to bleach. You feed every day so I would expect to see something on the tests. Try using a red sea nitrate test kit they will give you a better result than the API (I only use API for Ph ) I'm getting away from myself. If you border in the ULNS (ultra low nutrient system) out will need to add nutrients like pohls extra, zeo food or feed more. Lol or increase your Bio load. You can also dose (lightly) amino acids which will help darken your sps. Too much and you will get algae and cause Browning of corals.