Having issues with RED acro colors...

[BillyC]

I have never been able to maintain rich or bright red coloration in some acros. My parameters are all great. My red robin stag specifically is very pale. I use 250w Phoenix 14k halides and vho actinics. All other colors look great.

What is everyone doing to achieve rich red colors?

 

[64Ivy]

Same here; primarily with my Red Robin, by the way. Grows well, just ugly...a washed out sad little 'brickish' color, and I'm using 400W 14K MHs. I just figured (well, hoped) that maybe this was a not enough time issue. But if anyone has a shortcut that doesn't involve adding any weird, untested chemicals I'm certainly willing to listen.

 

[aquavista99]

My red SPS tend to do better in higher light....may be just the location/placement in your reef?

 

[BillyC]

My red SPS tend to do better in higher light....may be just the location/placement in your reef?

Mine is actually getting blasted with light. I've tried all sorts of placement over a 1.5 year period and like 64ivy said, it's is still a dull brick color. Grows like a weed for me though.

 

[kindler19]

Red robin is a little darker red than other red acros I have. If it is pale it may be in too much light. If it is a real issue you could try dosing some AA, but not too cheap. Do you have some pics of it and other acros you have so we can see the coloration?

 

[Big E]

From my own personal observation the Red Robin always had that dull dark brick red color naturally.

 

[Eienna]

I think certain elements may be missing...like too little iron, maybe?

 

[Zack]

I agree, i think the red robin is just a darker red acro. Ive seen a few pics where it looked dark red

 

[64Ivy]

Not mine. I'll try grabbing a shot of it later tonight or tomorrow. School function...daughter...right now...y'know...

 

[64Ivy]

Here you are. The color seems pretty true on my monitor; as 'red' as I can get it.

 

[ifarmer]

I usually tosh out any corals that looks brown like that
I do not care much about the growth but I do care about the coloration

 

[chort55]

Try a bluer spectrum bulb. I don't have the Red robin, but I know all my colors improve with time under bluer lighting, something about it just really pulls the colors out. And IMO that whole picture could use a little more blue. Im not saying you've gotta go 100% blue, but even tossing a couple blue+ t5s on there wouldn't hurt 1 bit ;)

 

[robby2782]

Red Robin does better in lower light from my experience. It was an ugly pale orange color when I got it because it was under LEDs. Now that it's down toward the bottom, it's bright red.

 

[Just Clownin Around]

front right hand side under ai sol.

 

[mpoletti]

Mine looks better with nutrients in the tank.

 

[Just Clownin Around]

<br><br>front right hand
side under ai sol.

this was a top down

 

[BillyC]

Red Robin does better in lower light from my experience. It was an ugly pale orange color when I got it because it was under LEDs. Now that it's down toward the bottom, it's bright red.

Do you have a pic? I've considered lowering it.

 

[robby2782]

Here's an older pic of a fragment cut from my colony.

 

[Feivel]

The blue lights create more of a |UV spectrum wich in turn makes the zooxhnathallae produce more natural sunscreen hence the darkening of the coral color. Reef Brights are great for that.

I would suspect a lack of trace elements, and not just Cal, Alk, and Mag, But things like pottasium, iodine, strntium, iron, etc. I would try a product like Kent Marine Coral Vite and feed the tank with phytoplankton, its a liquid food for the corals. Low Magnesium can also have an impact on the coloration of the corals as this has been a previous issue for me in the past.

Cheers

 

[Feivel]

http://reefbuilders.com/2008/09/03/guide-of-sps-coral-coloration-make-them-more-vivid-bright/

There is another GREAT site out there with similar information, just cant find it