Coral growth but losing color

[jdm4jeremy]

I have this piece of digi and a piece of Acro that I’m getting growth but slowly losing color.

nitrate-0.4
Ammonia-0
Phosphate-0.2
Cal-450
Mag-1300
AlK-8.5

Lights- reefbreeders 48” photon v2 on a 75 gal 48” long tank. Getting 350 par up top center and 130-150 down on the sand! I’m thinking either my phos,nitrate are too low or do I really need T5’s to successfully grow beautiful SPS? Suggestions please! Also I know I have to have more phos and nitrate than what I’m testing because I have hair algae growing. I have a Cuc of 2 urchins, 10 Astrus Snells, 2 big turbos,10 hermit crabs and 1 green emerald.

 

[TX_REEF]

I think it's normal for the white skeleton to grow first at the tips and then the zooxanthellae will encrust/inhabit it

 

[jdm4jeremy]

I think it's normal for the white skeleton to grow first at the tips and then the zooxanthellae will encrust/inhabit it

My only concern is all the green color on both the digi and acro is gone

 

[jdm4jeremy]

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

My only concern is all the green color on both the digi and acro is gone

Could be low iron levels, my cyphastrea did the same thing. Started dosing iron and I think it's starting to brighten up

 

[reeftivo]

what are you testing NO3 and PO4 with?

Hanna or box kits?

i'd say low nutrients would be the culprit

 

[Rusty_L_Shackleford]

I had a similar issue with a suntan monti and a couple other across that corrected once I got my no3 and po4 dialed in and they started bouncing back.

 

[TheGrimReeferTx]

I would raise the nitrates. I think that is going to be the issue here. I see a lot of people say they get better coloration at the 5-10ppm range.

 

[jdm4jeremy]

what are you testing NO3 and PO4 with?

Hanna or box kits?

i'd say low nutrients would be the culprit

Using the Hanna all in one for everything except calcium and magnesium. For those two I use salifert test kits nitrate is HR test on the Hanna

 

[MrGisonni]

I agree with the others, get your nitrates up.

 

[sheel be right]

one up on the nitrates bro get them up.